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Interview with Vassilios Papageorgopoulos, mayor of Thessaloniki 2010
This interview with Vassilios Papageorgopoulos, Mayor of Thessaloniki, about Thessaloniki as European Capital of Culture in 1997 was published in the EU booklet, "European Capitals of Culture: the road to success From 1985 to 2010". Brussels 2010
http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/creative-europe/actions/documents/ecoc_25years_en.pdf
What was the impact of the event on your city during the year?
1997 was a unique year for our historical city of Thessaloniki, which from its foundation until today has been a cultural crossroads and a bridge between Europe and the East. The Capital of Macedonia, the city of Alexander the Great and Saint Demetrius displayed its dynamism and vision via a huge range of celebrations during that year as European
Capital of Culture. The citizens of Thessaloniki were deeply involved and all the events were a huge success.
Best and worst memories about the organisation of the year?
All my recollections are positive. We met with some difficulties but these were resolved and the memories of pleasant moments and important artistic events remain.
A couple of events with a specifically European slant?
The event in honour of Melina Mercouri, who launched the
idea of European Capitals of Culture; the exhibition about Nobel Prize Winning Greek poet Odysseus Elytis; and the extraordinary exhibition of treasure from Mount Athos (Agion Oros).
Which part of the programme do you consider to have been the most successful?
Everything related to the evocation of city life and to the very designation of Thessaloniki as a bridge between East and West. However, I consider that many other events left a strong trace, like the exhibition about the Jewish presence in Thessaloniki and another exhibition about its tradition of welcoming emigrants.
Any regrets?
There weren’t any major failures. Each event left a special trace.
What is the year’s legacy?
An enormous cultural infrastructure, a unique experience and the certainty that Thessaloniki has the strength and dynamism to respond successfully to all sorts of challenges.
What advice would you give to those preparing to host a European Capital of Culture?
Prepare things as thoroughly as you can, think up first-rate ideas and work with passion in order to achieve them. But mainly enjoy, with open mind and heart, this event that links up the citizens of Europe and helps us better understand our history and separate cultures and traditions.
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