The exhibition and the inauguration workshop complement the activities of a group of lecturers of the Department of Architecture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. It consists of: Nikos Kalogirou, Maria Doussis, Dimitris Thomopoulos, Dimitris Kontaxakis, Sophocles Kotsopoulos, and Themistocles Hatzigiannopoulos, who have been selected by the Ministry of Environment and Energy to represent Greece at the Biennale Architettura 2021 in Venice with national commissioner Eftimio Bakoyannis, Secretary-General for Physical Planning and Urban Environment.

In search of an alternative answer to the Biennale’s question “How will we live together?”, in the context of a new spatial social contract, the Great Heritage of the Aristotelous Axis in Thessaloniki, designed by urban architect Ernest Ebrar, was presented. It has evolved over a century as a multicultural crossroads in the context of a radical urban modernization.

Ελληνικό Περίπτερο της Βενετίας / Greek Pavillion Venice 2021

In 2021, two parallel presentations were held in Venice and Thessaloniki. The exhibition at the Greek Pavilion in Venice focused on the current functioning of Aristotelous, highlighting the spatial coexistence of residents, visitors, migrants and refugees. The exhibition at the BeyHammam presented a visual documentation, resulting from workshops at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with the participation of students on the emblematic transversal axis of Thessaloniki.

Two publications were released: a book on “The Aristotelous Palimpsest: Byzantine visions and eclectic regionalism” and a bilingual catalogue, enriched with expert opinions, suggestions of the invited participants and annotated illustrations from the two exhibitions.

The representation of Greece in the Biennale was funded by the Ministry of Environment through the NSRF 2014-2020. The cooperation of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the TIF, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Thessaloniki City, the Municipality and the Thessaloniki History Centre was invaluable.

The present action is carried out in cooperation with the EIA and the Benaki Museum. It is a recomposition and commentary in a kind of post-exhibition. It will contain mosaic fragments from the Aristotelous mosaic displayed in Venice, contributions and proposals of guests, sculptures and documentation presented in Thessaloniki, as well as related annotated illustrations.

The main event is the all-day opening event with presentations, contributions, and activities.

Thursday 05.05.2022

Workshop 15:00 – 19:30

Exhibition opening 20:00

Duration of the exhibition 05-22.05.2022

Benaki Museum, 138 Pireos Street