Recognizing the beneficial role of artistic creation in the health and well-being of individuals, especially those with mental health issues, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) is implementing the program “The Garden Above the Sea.” This is a series of interactive meetings at the Stavros Niarchos Park with beneficiaries a) individuals aged 65+ in the early stages of dementia who, as a result of the disease, exhibit and b) their caregivers, who have been diagnosed with depression as a result of the burden of caring for people with dementia.

The program is part of the “Pilot Actions for Cultural Prescription” project, an initiative of the Ministry of Culture, implemented by the Ministry’s Directorate of Performing Arts and Cinema, and carried out in collaboration with the non-profit organization Alzheimer’s Association of Athens.

The action includes twelve two-hour psychosocial intervention sessions in the form of a theater workshop held in the natural environment of the Park, utilizing the techniques of creative writing, theatrical narration, and improvisation. Each session has a different theme and artistic originality, takes place at a different location in the Park, and concludes with an experiential discussion between participants and mental health professionals.

The “Garden Above the Sea” program is based on the network of partnerships that the SNFCC cultivates and continuously expands, as well as on the experience gained through existing accessibility and inclusion programs, such as the guided tour “Memory and Senses at the Stavros Niarchos Park for Visitors 65+.” Its implementation is expected to offer significant benefits to both participants and the Organization, combining the artistic experience with interactive cognitive activities in the natural environment of the Stavros Niarchos Park. Through this coexistence, the goal is for people with mental health issues to be empowered, entertained, come into meaningful contact with nature, and participate in an active community that enhances socialization and personal expression.

At the same time, the program promotes good practices that raise awareness and reduce social stigma, develops new methodologies for inclusive artistic activities, and strengthens the connection between the SNFCC and local communities, further expanding its social contribution.

Design – implementation:

Artistic Director: Georgina Kakoudaki

Mental Health Professional: Panagiota Zoi

Assistant Head of Artistic Action: Haris Kremmydas

Assistants to the Head of Mental Health Professional: Meropi Kalymniou, Vasiliki Exarchakou