To better serve the community Tale of X Cities engages with, the main language of the website is Greek.
Here is an overview of the project in English. For more information about the project, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Here is an overview of the project in English. For more information about the project, don't hesitate to get in touch.
MISSION
Tale of X Cities brings together citizens and local institutions to co-produce community, culture and cultural policy. It is a unique model for the creation of community and the collaborative production of culture by citizens and local institutions.
Tale of X Cities aims towards the creation of community through art, creativity, networking and the collaborative production of culture. This is achieved through a series of non-formal education seminars and workshops, leading towards a hybrid Festival for the presentation of the workshops' results alongside other, specially organised activities. The Festival is co-developed by all those involved —organisers, partner institutions, participating citizens— and takes place at the same time in all the participating cities and online.
ABOUT
Tale of X Cities was launched in 2021, initiated by Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki and artistically directed by ArtBOX.gr.
In 2021, 12 cities, more than 20 institutions and more than 140 citizens from the entire area of Northern Greece participated. This uniquely emerging network already created great anticipation for its continuation, among institutions and citizens alike. Moreover, in November 2021 the project was presented as a best-practice example in the international hybrid Freiraum Festival, by representatives of the partner institutions and participating citizens.
The continuation of Tale of X Cities is based on this huge success. The aim is to create a strong, sustainable institution, that will establish a trans-local community of citizens and institutions, while at the same time acting as a springboard for the re-definition and promotion of the area's identity. It is the first time that citizens and institutions contribute commonly and equally to the development of a cultural programme that spreads across the entire area of Northern Greece and receives international recognition. An initiative that can become an innovative model for participatory cultural policy-making.
In 2021, 12 cities, more than 20 institutions and more than 140 citizens from the entire area of Northern Greece participated. This uniquely emerging network already created great anticipation for its continuation, among institutions and citizens alike. Moreover, in November 2021 the project was presented as a best-practice example in the international hybrid Freiraum Festival, by representatives of the partner institutions and participating citizens.
The continuation of Tale of X Cities is based on this huge success. The aim is to create a strong, sustainable institution, that will establish a trans-local community of citizens and institutions, while at the same time acting as a springboard for the re-definition and promotion of the area's identity. It is the first time that citizens and institutions contribute commonly and equally to the development of a cultural programme that spreads across the entire area of Northern Greece and receives international recognition. An initiative that can become an innovative model for participatory cultural policy-making.
KEY CONCEPTS
Tale of X Cities is based on the artistic practice widely known as "art for social change", in the context of which the creator works with a community to co-develop long-term solutions responding to issues important for the community and its well-being.
A key component of this process is the activation of creativity as a springboard towards individual and collective empowerment. The activation of creativity can become an extremely powerful tool. It refers to active participation in discovering and shaping the world around us, and it contributes positively to the democratisation of our daily lives. In the context of Tale of X Cities, the activation of creativity and community empowerment are achieved through skills development, collaborative and experiential learning, and engagement of audiences who often feel detached from institutional culture. Also, through the cultivation of a new understanding of the relation between local heritage and contemporary issues through personal and collective narratives. Practices of non-formal education and learning focus on the activation of access to culture, critical thinking and creative production of content using new media (media literacy), as well as on inclusion of people from different generations and backgrounds. This approach leads to expanding participation and democratising access to culture.
A key component of this process is the activation of creativity as a springboard towards individual and collective empowerment. The activation of creativity can become an extremely powerful tool. It refers to active participation in discovering and shaping the world around us, and it contributes positively to the democratisation of our daily lives. In the context of Tale of X Cities, the activation of creativity and community empowerment are achieved through skills development, collaborative and experiential learning, and engagement of audiences who often feel detached from institutional culture. Also, through the cultivation of a new understanding of the relation between local heritage and contemporary issues through personal and collective narratives. Practices of non-formal education and learning focus on the activation of access to culture, critical thinking and creative production of content using new media (media literacy), as well as on inclusion of people from different generations and backgrounds. This approach leads to expanding participation and democratising access to culture.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The seminars and workshops of Tale of X Cities are addressed to people of all ages and backgrounds through an open call. They are realised via a tele-conference platform (ZOOM), making it possible to establish a community of people from different cities. An online library of resources containing video-seminars and reference material is made available for the participants and others interested. During the seminars, experts from various fields introduce participants in the art of storytelling with different media. In the workshops that follow, participants are invited to put into practice the recently acquired knowledge and skills to share their own stories. Participants submit proposals for projects. The curatorial team guides them in the implementation of these proposals, which are also supported by the partner institutions.
Representatives of the partner institutions take part in the seminars and workshops, building a close, equal relationship with the participating citizens. Moreover, selected employees of the partner institutions participate in round-table discussions on cultural policy-making, aiming towards the strategic development of the local partner institutions. Through this process, partner institutions conceive and organise activities that promote their work, strengthen their relationship with the local public, increase the number of people engaged and the number of audiences for the final Festival, create opportunities for collaborations and support the establishment of long-term cultural policies. These activities might be autonomous or they might result from the collaboration between partner institutions, that co-design common activities presented in all cities strengthening the network, supporting the community and deepening intra-city exchange.
Thanks to all these parallel processes, the content of the programme and the final Festival are co-developed by all those involved —organisers, partner institutions, participants, the public— creating an engaged community that acts collectively to produce culture.
The Festival takes place offline, in all participating cities, and online. The Festival's digital presence increases the audiences and strengthens the sense of community. The digital presence functions complementarily and independently from the physical presence.
Tale of X Cities is foremost addressed to institutions and citizens from Northern Greece. At the same time, we are planning regional collaborations with cities, institutions and communities from neighbouring countries, alongside international collaborations that have already been established or will be added soon. This maximises networking, expands the emerging community, brings international dissemination and promotes Tale of X Cities as a model for local, trans-local and transnational community-making.
Representatives of the partner institutions take part in the seminars and workshops, building a close, equal relationship with the participating citizens. Moreover, selected employees of the partner institutions participate in round-table discussions on cultural policy-making, aiming towards the strategic development of the local partner institutions. Through this process, partner institutions conceive and organise activities that promote their work, strengthen their relationship with the local public, increase the number of people engaged and the number of audiences for the final Festival, create opportunities for collaborations and support the establishment of long-term cultural policies. These activities might be autonomous or they might result from the collaboration between partner institutions, that co-design common activities presented in all cities strengthening the network, supporting the community and deepening intra-city exchange.
Thanks to all these parallel processes, the content of the programme and the final Festival are co-developed by all those involved —organisers, partner institutions, participants, the public— creating an engaged community that acts collectively to produce culture.
The Festival takes place offline, in all participating cities, and online. The Festival's digital presence increases the audiences and strengthens the sense of community. The digital presence functions complementarily and independently from the physical presence.
Tale of X Cities is foremost addressed to institutions and citizens from Northern Greece. At the same time, we are planning regional collaborations with cities, institutions and communities from neighbouring countries, alongside international collaborations that have already been established or will be added soon. This maximises networking, expands the emerging community, brings international dissemination and promotes Tale of X Cities as a model for local, trans-local and transnational community-making.
BENEFICIARIES & BENEFITS
Direct beneficiaries: Workshop participants, partner institutions.
Indirect beneficiaries: Local communities.
Trans-local benefits: Establishment of a network of support for local institutions. Creation of a community of institutions and citizens. Development of an educated audience for cultural events.
Long-term benefits: Introduction of a renewed regional identity (branding). Familiarisation of the public with new media technologies. Activation of creativity. Democratisation of access to culture.
Indirect beneficiaries: Local communities.
Trans-local benefits: Establishment of a network of support for local institutions. Creation of a community of institutions and citizens. Development of an educated audience for cultural events.
Long-term benefits: Introduction of a renewed regional identity (branding). Familiarisation of the public with new media technologies. Activation of creativity. Democratisation of access to culture.
PARTNER INSTITUTIONS
The list includes the 2021 partner institutions.
In 2022, more partner institutions will be added.
In 2022, more partner institutions will be added.
ALEXANDROUPOLI
Municipality of Alexandroupoli
Ethnological Museum of Thrace
VEROIA
Peripheral Municipal Theatre of Veroia
Central Public Library of Veroia
Tourism Association of Veroia
DRAMA
Municipality of Drama - Department of Culture
IGOUMENITSA
Municipality of Igoumenitsa
Educational and Cultural Association of Perdika
Cultural Association of "Ethniki Antistasi"
Cultural Association of Ladochori "Agios Georgios"
THESSALONIKI
Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki
ArtBOX
Common Lab project
TIF - HELEXPO
IOANNINA
Municipality of Ioannina - Cultural Centre
ARSIS
KAVALA
Municipality of Kavala - Municipal Public Benefit Enterprise "Dimofeleia"
Cosmopolis Festival
MOHA Research Centre
KALAMARIA
Municipality of Kalamaria - Department of Culture, Tourism & International Relations
KOZANI
Peripheral Municipal Theatre of Kozani
"Koventareios" Municipal Library
KOMOTINI
Peripheral Municipal Theatre of Komotini
XANTHI
Municipality of Xanthi - Cultural Centre - Department of Culture
SERRES
Municipality of Serres - Municipal Public Benefit Enterprise
Municipality of Alexandroupoli
Ethnological Museum of Thrace
VEROIA
Peripheral Municipal Theatre of Veroia
Central Public Library of Veroia
Tourism Association of Veroia
DRAMA
Municipality of Drama - Department of Culture
IGOUMENITSA
Municipality of Igoumenitsa
Educational and Cultural Association of Perdika
Cultural Association of "Ethniki Antistasi"
Cultural Association of Ladochori "Agios Georgios"
THESSALONIKI
Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki
ArtBOX
Common Lab project
TIF - HELEXPO
IOANNINA
Municipality of Ioannina - Cultural Centre
ARSIS
KAVALA
Municipality of Kavala - Municipal Public Benefit Enterprise "Dimofeleia"
Cosmopolis Festival
MOHA Research Centre
KALAMARIA
Municipality of Kalamaria - Department of Culture, Tourism & International Relations
KOZANI
Peripheral Municipal Theatre of Kozani
"Koventareios" Municipal Library
KOMOTINI
Peripheral Municipal Theatre of Komotini
XANTHI
Municipality of Xanthi - Cultural Centre - Department of Culture
SERRES
Municipality of Serres - Municipal Public Benefit Enterprise
TEAM
Organisation-Implementation
Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki
ArtBOX
Partner institutions (see list above)
General Director
Beate Koehler (Director, Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki)
General Coordination
Aris Kalogiros (Coordinator, Cultural Department, Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki)
Concept - Coordination
ArtBOX.gr (Christos Savvidis, Lydia Chatziiakovou)
Workshops leader
Elli Chrysidou (visual artist)
Media Literacy Seminars
Phoebe Fronista, journalist
How to Podcast
Annita Mordechai, journalist
How to Interview
Soti Triantafyllou, writer
How to Tell Stories
Stefanos Tsakiris, photographer
How to Take Photos
Antonios Vallindras, filmmaker
How to Make a Short Movie
Guest Experts
More guest experts are invited each year, to respond to the participants' needs.
Sotirios Bahtsetzis, art theorist, Ass. Prof. in Contemporary Art Theory & Curating Practices, University of Thessaly
Art in the Public Sphere
Christos Papadopoulos, media producer, educator, curator, Culture Advisor at the Municipality of Ioannina
The City Talks - alternative documentary practices
Valentina Sokratous, cultural manager, Museum Coordinator and Head of Museum Education at the Ethnological Museum of Thrace
Tale of X Citizens. Team-building and participatory evaluation workshop
Visual communication
Giorgos Papalexandrou
Social Media Expert
Palmyra Giannakidou
Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki
ArtBOX
Partner institutions (see list above)
General Director
Beate Koehler (Director, Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki)
General Coordination
Aris Kalogiros (Coordinator, Cultural Department, Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki)
Concept - Coordination
ArtBOX.gr (Christos Savvidis, Lydia Chatziiakovou)
Workshops leader
Elli Chrysidou (visual artist)
Media Literacy Seminars
Phoebe Fronista, journalist
How to Podcast
Annita Mordechai, journalist
How to Interview
Soti Triantafyllou, writer
How to Tell Stories
Stefanos Tsakiris, photographer
How to Take Photos
Antonios Vallindras, filmmaker
How to Make a Short Movie
Guest Experts
More guest experts are invited each year, to respond to the participants' needs.
Sotirios Bahtsetzis, art theorist, Ass. Prof. in Contemporary Art Theory & Curating Practices, University of Thessaly
Art in the Public Sphere
Christos Papadopoulos, media producer, educator, curator, Culture Advisor at the Municipality of Ioannina
The City Talks - alternative documentary practices
Valentina Sokratous, cultural manager, Museum Coordinator and Head of Museum Education at the Ethnological Museum of Thrace
Tale of X Citizens. Team-building and participatory evaluation workshop
Visual communication
Giorgos Papalexandrou
Social Media Expert
Palmyra Giannakidou
