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Melina remembered with 'Day for Culture' - events in Athens and Greece
Athens News reports on 26.4.2000 what shall happen on 5th of May
"The Network of the European Cities of Culture and Cultural Months (ECCM) has declared May 5, 2000 as a Day for Culture. Dedicated to the memory of Greece's former culture minister, the late Melina Mercouri, Day for Culture comes full with an extravaganza of celebratory events - symposiums, lectures, theatre and dance performances, art exhibitions and more - structured around the theme: Culture - Freedom of Expression and Dialogue. Greece will organise the event while festivals will be hosted by all of the 25 participating cities.
It was back in 1983 that Mercouri initially proposed the founding of the European Cultural Capitals institution aiming at promoting creative dialogue between different cities and cultures on the pretext that Europe's unification is not only a financial or political matter but also a cultural one. Mercouri's ambitious plan was finally realised at the Zappeion Mansion in July 1999 under the tenure of Elizabeth Papazoi and in the presence of representatives from 23 European cities.
Within the framework for the Day for Culture, the Athens University in collaboration with the ECCM, the Melina Mercouri Foundation and the Greek Literature and Historical Archive (ELIA) will organise a two day symposium on May 5 and 6 entitled 'Freedom of Expression and Dialogue'. The forum, to be held at the Old Athens University building (30 Panepistimiou St.) features prominent figures from the world of politics and arts, including Finland's Culture Minister Suvi Linden, European Union President Jacques Santer, poet and author Titos Patrikos and theatre critic Costas Georgousopoulos.
- On May 5 the Museum of Greek Children's Art (9 Kodrou St. in Plaka) will be hosting the educational programme 'I Roda me ta Chromata' (The colourful wheel), addressing children between 7 and 10 years of age. The programme includes the presentation of works belonging to the museum's collection as well as the artistic product of the youngster's involvement in creative workshops.
- Furthermore, there will be a guided tour of the Taxidi Mesa sti Gi (Journey to the Centre of the Earth) exhibition hosted by the Museum of Cycladic Art (4 Neophytou Douka St. in Kolonaki) and showcasing works that have featured in the 14th Panhellenic Children's Painting contest.
- In an event organised by the Agioi Anargyroi Municipality, 12 children form Bulgaria will meet up and work together with youngsters who have participated in the Museum of Greek Children's Art programmes.
- Aiming at establishing the bond between environment and culture, private non profit organisation ELLADA KATHARI (Tidy Greece) has announced that the Eco Festival 2000 will be held between May 20 and June 5.
- What's more, on May 5 at 10 am - 6 pm the members of the Greek Choreographers' Union will be presenting extracts from their work on video walls installed at Omonian and Syntagma metro stations.
- On the Day of Culture, museums will remain open to the public and admission will be free of charge. Suggestions have also been made concerning the organisation of educational programmes and guided tours for tourists. Furthermore, the education ministry has invited schools participating in the Melina - Education and Culture programme to lend a helping hand in the creation of a culture activities programme.
- Finally, on May 4 a special reception celebrating all tings cultural will be held at the Grand Bretagne hotel in the presence of President Costis Stephanopoulos.
- The Thessaloniki Municipality will be participating in the Day for Culture with a Jazz and Ethnic Festival on May 5 and 6, free entry to all museums and exhibition spaces.
« Culture in Dialogue between Visions and Reality - from conscioiusness to commitment by Bernhard Beutler | List of participating cities »