Mini Guide of 2008 Events in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Always admired for its history, cultural heritage and beautiful landscape, Greece is now respected for the whole spectrum of its comparative advantages. From its status as an energy hub, a financial centre and overall gateway to Southeastern Europe to its leading role in shipping, Greece counts an increasing number of accomplishments and an growing number of friends.  Greece is a well established brand and a timeless destination. A variety of exhibitions, conferences, business fairs, cultural events and research colloquiums are taking place throughout the country on a yearly basis. The following is a selection of such events during 2008.

BUSINESS EVENTS

Hellenic Fashion

The Hellenic Fashion Designers Association organised the 7th Hellenic Fashion Week from March 12 to 16, a newly established yet much anticipated institution, aiming at the promotion of Greek fashion brands locally and abroad linking the local with the international fashion industry.

Greek Wine Makers

Oenorama Wine Trade Exhibition (www.oenorama.com), Greece’s premier wine, spirits and viti-vinicultural event, is taking place from March 28 to 30 at the Mediterannean Exhibition Center, Athens.

Apparel & Shoes

HELEXPO

HELEXPO (Hellenic Organisation of International Exhibitions, Conferences and Cultural Events), continues its long running and successful tradition in organizing a great number of national, regional and international events.

 This year’s agenda includes among others: Biologica 2008 - 1st Exhibition of Organic Products (29 May – 1 June), the 2nd International Summer Holidays Exhibition (29 May – 1 June), the 73rd Thessaloniki International Fair (September 6 – 14), as well as the 24th International Tourism Exhibition (30 October – 2 November).

 HUMANITY & SECURITY

Combating Poverty

The 6th Forum of the World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty, which is organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in common with the City of Athens, is held from March 26 to 28. Local key actors from all continents, along with their partners of private and public sector are invited to the forum in order to discuss “Deepening local democratic governance to eradicate poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).”

Human Security Network

Transatlantic Institutions

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Renewable Energy Sources

The 2nd International Exhibition EnergyReS ’08, which focuses on Energy Saving and Renewable Sources of Energy in South Eastern Europe, will take place at the Hellenikon Exhibition Centre (Former International Airport) from April 10 to 13.

Climate Change

ECONOMIST CONFERENCES

The 12th Roundtable with the Government of Greece titled “Driving the Global Agenda through 2020” is taking place in Athens from April 8 to 10, organized by the Economist Conferences. Celebrating its 11th anniversary, the event hosts political and business leaders from all over the world, meeting in Athens with the Greek Government, the Opposition and many the most prominent businessmen of south-eastern Europe.

MODERN GREEK STUDIES CONFERENCE

The City of Athens is inaugurating a series of international events aiming at promoting Modern Greek Culture. The “First World Conference of Neohellenic Studies” will take place in Athens from July 2 to 5 , aiming to offer a chance for reflection on the prospects of enhancing scholarly work on Modern Greek Studies worldwide. Another Convention under the auspices of the City of Athens will focus on Archaeological and Byzantine Studies, while a third one on Greek Scientists and Researchers Abroad working on the field of Natural Sciences.

Modern Greek Studies Conferences: European Society of Modern Greek Studies; Modern Greek Studies Association, USA

THE CULTURAL AGENDA 2008

Thessaloniki Documentary Festival

The Thessaloniki Documentary Festival – Images of the 21st Century (www.docfestival.gr) has celebrated its 10th anniversary this year (March 7 to 16). Organized by the Thessaloniki International Film Festival,  the 10th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival presented roughly 200 documentaries.

Contemporary Art

The National Museum of Contemporary Art (www.emst.gr) presents a young generation of Greek artists at the Athens Concert Hall, from December 13, 2007 to March 31, 2008. The exhibition, featuring artists born after 1965, aims at the widest possible exploration of the contemporary artistic landscape of Greece. The event, entitled “In Present Tense: Young Greek Artists,” attempts a thorough investigation of current concepts such as globalisation and multiculturalism, and features 34 artists who work in Greece and abroad. 

Europe Theatre Prize

The National Theatre of Northern Greece, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, will participate in the organization of the XII Europe Theatre Prize, which will take place in Thessaloniki from April 10 to 13. The XII Europe Theatre Prize, which began as a pilot programme of the European Committee in 1986 will be awarded to French director Patrice Chιreau.

Photobiennale

The largest and most famous event on photography in Greece, the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography “Photosynkyria” (Photographic Meeting) has grown into an institution consisting of multiple exhibitions and other relevant events (April-May): www.photobiennale.gr  

Archaeological Films

The 7th International Meeting of Archaeological Film of the Mediterranean Area is taking place in Athens (May 6-11) organised by the non-profit association AGON, in collaboration with the “Archaeology and Arts” magazine. AGON is a founding member of the European Federation of Archaeology and Patrimony Film Festivals.

Thessaloniki Book Fair

The fifth International Book Fair of Thessaloniki will be held from May 29 to June 1 at the Helexpo Exhibition site by the city’s waterfront. A rich programme of 150 related events will take place in association with the Fair. The theme of this year’s exhibition is political books, while the guest country of honour is France.

Hellenic Festival

This year programme of the annual summer Hellenic Festival (taking place in various venues in Athens and at the ancient Greek theatre of Epidaurus) features a rich variety of cultural events such as music, theatre and dance performances, exhibitions and conferences. The festival takes place from May to October.

Art Athina

The International Art Fair of Athens will take place from May 23 to 25. The fair has proved to be an important linkage between the local and international contemporary art galleries and the Greek and international art collectors.

International Dance Festival

The Kalamata Dance Festival (www.kalamatadancefestival.gr) organized by the city of Kalamata and considered one of the leading dance events in the Mediterranean, takes place annually in July.

Athens Rockwave Festival

The Rockwave Festival, a musical event held every summer in Athens, has established its reputation since its inception 12 years ago. This year it will host world famous rock groups in July.

Thessaloniki International Film Festival

The 49th Thessaloniki International Film Festival (www.filmfestival.gr), the major film event of Greece and Southeastern Europe which hosts a large number of national, international and independent films every year, will take place from November 14 to 23.

THE BENAKI MUSEUM

The Benaki Museum (www.benaki.gr) ranks among the major cultural institutions in Greece. It covers several different fields and has a wide range of activities forming an important part of a broader network of museums in Greece. Its extensive collections (Greece at the Benaki Museum, Greek Artists of the 20th Century, Childhood, Toys and Games, Coptic Art, Chinese Art, Pre-Columbian Art, Islamic Art) are now presented by a new state-of-the-art website.

HELLENIC CULTURE ABROAD 2008

The Hellenic Foundation for Culture (www.hfc.gr) promotes Greek culture and language throughout the world carrying out its activities through its branches in various cities and countries.

See also: Secretariat General of Information, Hellenic Culture Abroad; Cultural Year of Greece in China 2007-2008: www.greece-china.com 

TRADITIONAL FESTIVITIES & CELEBRATIONS

The new official information gateway to rural tourism, www.agrotravel.gr offers a list of upcoming holidays, local festivities and celebrations throughout Greece. See also Matt Barret’s, Greece Travel Guide: Festivals, Celebrations & Holidays in Greece, as well as the Greek National Tourism Organisation’s information on Carnival and Easter Customs.

SPORT

Acropolis Rally

The Acropolis Rally 2008 -55th edition of the Greek round of the FIA World Rally Championship- will take place early this summer (May-June).

Olympus Marathon

Olympus Marathon, a unique trail running event held annually on Mount Olympus, will start on the last Sunday of June (29.6) from the remains of the sacred city of Dion, at sunrise.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES & MASS MEDIA

The Secretariat General of Information is organizing its 3^nd annual international conference on “People with disabilities and Mass Media” taking place on June 23-24. Within the conference’s framework and in collaboration with the Greek Film Centre the “Emotion Pictures Festival: 2nd International Documentary Festival on Disability” is being held with documentary films focusing on issues of disability. It will take place at the Benaki Museum, Pireos St. Annexe, from June 21 to 23.

ACCESS TO EVENTS IN GREECE

Cultural Events

Forthcoming cultural events in Greece can be accessed at the new www.goculture.gr website along with interviews, critical comments and review articles on the Greek and European cultural scene.

Conferences

Upcoming international conferences that are taking place in Greece can be located through the www.conferences.gr website.

Research & Innovation

Information about R&D Events in Greece  is available at the “Greek Website for Research, Technology and Innovation” supported by the National Documentation Centre.   

More Hellenic Events

To locate more events taking place in Greece, visit the Secretariat General of Information website (www.minpress.gr) “Greece – Links Library” section.

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