A delegation from Montpellier 2028 visited the city of Elefsina, European Capital of Culture in 2023.
With a strong introduction into the artistic program thanks to the performance of Romeo Castellucci, specifically designed for the city’s archeological site.
The delegation toured the town, with thorough presentations and insights from the Elefsina 2023’s team – its artistic director, Michail Marmarinos, and coordinator Angeliki Lampiri – on how to activate the city’s industrial heritage and encourage the participation of its citizens. Then followed a fruitful discussion with the Culterra youth group, based in the city’s former train station, which actively contributes to the city’s development by creating sustainable sites for the youth, supported by the Belgian company Time Circus.
Next day, Children’s involvement in urban transformation projects, european collaborations, role of contemporary art in Athens—there were fruitful exchanges between Montpellier 2028 and the CommonSpace cooperative, as well as with Poka Yio, the director of the Athens Biennale.
It was also an opportunity to present the key aspects of the candidacy to Nicolas Eybalin, the director of the French Institute in Greece, and to discuss the hospitality policies of the cities of Montpellier and Sète, including artist residency projects within the candidacy’s territory.