(Dis)playing Attica

Under the auspices of the Greek Presidency of the Council of Europe, May-November, 2020.

In collaboration with the Region of Attiki

The Hellenic Foreign Ministry and the Region of Attiki announce the start of the “(Dis)playing Attica” programme. The program is an initiative of the Athens State Orchestra and the Region of Attiki and is one of the cultural activities undertaken during the ongoing six-month Greek Presidency of the Council of Europe, which will end on 18 November 2020.

The cooperation and collaboration between the three (3) institutions sends out a powerful message of outwardness and commitment to the cultural wealth of Greece at this particularly difficult time as the pandemic continues to impact on so many of the things we formerly took for granted in our everyday lives.

The Deputy Foreign Minister and Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Mr Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, stated that: "In collaboration with the Region of Attiki, we are proceeding with a series of cultural activities that will put the timeless values of our culture back in the spotlight. Starting from Athens and heading out from there into other neighbourhoods and parts of beautiful Attica, which symbolize for us—and for the rest of Europe, too—the universal values of Greek culture, these cultural events will be streamed online and embraced by 800 million Europeans. Because the Council of Europe and Europe don’t only mean rights and democracy. They mean culture, too, and Greece has a lot to show for itself in this sphere".

The Head of the Region of Attiki, Giorgos Patoulis, described the live-streaming of the concerts as a message of solidarity and cooperation between the countries that participate on the Council of Europe, stressing that “Music is a bridge of communication which unites peoples and promotes culture. Because music is life". Mr Patoulis noted that the Region of Attiki promotes European principles and values and focuses its activities on improving its citizens’ quality of life. As he stressed: “The Regions and Municipalities of Greece are all part of our national effort to deal with the pandemic and cooperate with the central authorities in the fight to protect our public health and support our fellow citizens in need”.

Finally, the Artistic Director of the Athens State Orchestra, Mr Loukas Karytinos, welcomed the initiative, saying: "As often happens, adverse conditions, over and above mere difficulties, give rise to new initiatives, partnerships and creative actions. In this way, the Athens State Orchestra, in collaboration with the Region of Attiki and the Hellenic Foreign Ministry, has taken this opportunity, along with its eminent musicians, to perform celebrated chamber music in different emblematic venues around Attiki. These concerts will give the audience the opportunity to meet the ASO's musicians face to face, to see their work, and to listen to outstanding compositions for smaller ensembles".

The ultimate goal of these cultural activities is to highlight the historical and cultural sites and humanitarian symbols of our land through a series of eight short concerts which, performed by various Athens State Orchestra ensembles, will range in content from a purely classic repertoire to film music, jazz, and the Greek art pop scene.

These images are expected to travel throughout Europe, highlighting the universal and timeless values of Greek civilization, which remain the foundations of European culture.

At this most difficult time, as we weather the second and more powerful wave of the pandemic, we hope these concerts will provide the public with a note of optimism and exaltation.

So tune in every Thursday, starting this Thursday, November 5, at 8 pm to the websites of the Greek Presidency of the Council of Europe the Region of Attiki, and the Athens State Orchestra and join in this music digital experience brought to you from the archaeological sites of Attica!

The concerts will be broadcast free; the last one will go out on 24 December 2020.