Print Magazine
Brussels Morning Newspaper
Thursday, March 23, 2023
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
No Result
View All Result
Home Culture and Society

Elefsina, a mystery along a civilization

Serena Pacchiani by Serena Pacchiani
23 February 2023
in Culture and Society
At,The,Archaeological,Museum,Of,Elefsina,(elefsis),,In,Attica,Region,

At the Archaeological museum of Elefsina (Elefsis), in Attica region, near Athens, Greece.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A new future for the European Capital of Culture in 2023. 

Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) During the three days of its long-awaited official re-consecration in early February 2023, Elefsina awakens under a thin, icy blanket of snow. An exceptional event for a likewise, exceptional city. Sitting on the dock of the bay, waiting with the artistic director Michail Marmarinos for a technical confirmation –  that will not come – on the possibility of leaving by ship from Piraeus and embarking on the extraordinary path through the Sacred Sea Route, Elefsina seems to show all her stubborn obstinacy and her mysterious indomitability.

The birthplace and homeland of the playwright Aeschylus loved and quoted by Virginia Woolf in her Early Journals, and cradle of Western civilization, is among the smallest, in density and population, to be part of the increasingly expanded nucleus of the European Capitals of Culture. The seaside resort of the Attica region, not far from Athens, on its way to the west, launches itself into its most important challenge: to give new impetus and vitality to its inhabitants through new wide-ranging projects, and a very rich cultural program, as a result of a huge collaborative, and spread widely effort. 

Mistery of Transition, the main event, courtesy Haris Karoutsos, 2023

A historical, pivotal gathering

Etymologically born and raised for gathering, as its name states, and as mythology and history have shown over the centuries and throughout human, architectural, and political stratifications, Elefsina equally shows her toughness and ability for transformation and pivot. Unable to leave for the boat trip, we sit in the core of the ancient city, around the magnificent archaeological remains, jealously protected by affectionate wandering animals; as an ancient and traditional “aoidos”, Marmarinos begins to reveal the extraordinary virtues of the city, destined and obstinate to resume its place as an essential cultural navel, in its function of support and trampoline for the capital, after decades of recession and suffering, which still indisputably mark the global scenario of a resilient nation.

Elefsinian Movement, courtesy John Stathis, 2023

Enthusiasm and desire for redemption are mixed with fear of gentrification and loss of identity and folklore, in a world that seems increasingly flattened. But, at the same time, the unconditional trust in the possibilities of partnerships and networking, in the power of artistic exchanges, and knowledge transmission, gives new life and breadth to Elefsina for its present and future multifaceted projects. 

Starting from the apparently dichotomic, but interconnected, revaluation of industrial sites, a most common and typical hallmark of “new” European Capitals of culture, as Esch-sur-Alzette for instance. Particularly, in the revalorization of the Old Mill Factory, and the IRIS industrial complex, in an intimate connection with the ancient segment of the city. If, on one side, Elefsina is remembered and reminiscent of the Mysteries and for its millenary, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, on the other, is the protagonist and witness of much more recent history. 

A recent saga that evolved through the late nineteenth-century revolution, between the two wars and in the post-industrialization era, as it is shown in the municipal building of the Old Town Hall, now exploited as a Raw Museum for modern storytelling, which embraces the city’s oxymoronic contemporary past. 

Merely and most importantly, Elefsina shows its intimate connection with the new geographic navel of European modernity, by consecrating an exhibition – open until 23 April 2023 – on Melina Mercouri (1920-1994). Celebrated by most for her beautiful, honey hair and her bold laugh in the films of Jules Dassin, Mercouri still remains in the heart of Greek people and the European community for her political militancy, for being the goddess and godmother of the Capitals of culture. A moving circle’s closure, which started with the first appointment in Athens in 1980, and whose legacy continues with Elefsina in 2023. 

More info on the current and further program of Elefsina European Capital of Culture on the official website: https://2023eleusis.eu/en/

Tags: between the linesElefsinaMain-SliderOpinion section
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn

About Us

Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Category

  • Ambassador’s Corner
  • Belgium News
  • Brussels
  • Commission
  • Council
  • Culture and Society
  • Diplomacy
  • Economy
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe
  • Europe With Transparency
  • Features
  • Health & Fitness
  • In Depth
  • Member States
  • Middle East Eye
  • Opinion
  • Our pick
  • Parliament
  • Place de la Bourse
  • Southeast Europe
  • Sustainable Perspective
  • The American Angle
  • The Macro-Economist
  • Uncategorised
  • US Elections
  • World

More info

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Cookies Policy
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Jobs

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Brussels Bubble
    • Parliament
    • Commission
    • Council
  • Wider Europe
    • Member States
  • World
  • Business & Society
  • Europe With Transparency
  • Culture & Society
  • Policy Talks
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Southeast Europe
  • Print Magazine

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT