Page 139 - 2board 41
P. 139
ATHENΣ BY THE BΟOK
TALKING HEADS
THE READING
PROJECT*
widespread actions and events as possible.
Interview by Ira Sinigalia *ATHENS MAYOR GIORGOS Many people have worked together for
Photos by John Dimotsis KAMINIS TALKS ABOUT THE the project Athens 2018 World Book
CITY’S GR EAT MOMENT: Capital, in multiple partnerships and
UNESCO WORLD BOOK CAPITAL. collaborations that have activated our
Ο ΔΉΜΑΡΧΟΣ ΑΘΗΝΑΊΩΝ, networks. We want the hundreds of
ΓΙΏΡΓΟΣ Κ ΑΜΊ ΝΗΣ, ΜΙΛ ΆΕΙ different events to reach as many people
ΓΙΑ ΤΗ ΜΕΓΆΛΗ ΣΤΙΓΜΉ ΤΗΣ as possible. Furthermore, we aim to
ΑΘΉΝΑΣ ΩΣ ΠΑΓΚΌΣΜΙΑΣ showcase the close relationship of books
ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΉΣ ΠΡΩΤΕΎΟΥΣΑΣ with the arts, with our daily life and also
ΤΗΣ UNESCO. with technology. Besides, it is stories and
narratives that connect all of us with life!
| avenues, to show that books mean stories, - What is Athens’ comparative advantage
imagination, innovation and creativity; with regards to this event?
- What is the greatest challenge in the they mean theatre, cinema, music, travel, Athens is an extroverted city, with a
project, Athens 2018 World Book Capital? and even new technologies. Through our steady European outlook; a hospitable
We have created a diverse programme with initiatives in all the city’s neighbourhoods and safe big city. It combines a unique
more than 250 actions in collaboration and through our mobile libraries, we aim cultural heritage and traditions with
with over 160 organisations, cultural to bring books and the joy of reading modern creativity and innovation in a very
agencies, universities, libraries, foreign to people who do not enjoy access to interesting way. Here, civilisations coexist
institutions and embassies, publishers, books, and to mobilise them. Moreover, in a constant fermentation and mutual
writers and informal creative teams. That the project includes events that embrace influence. As Ian Denison, UNESCO
was and is the greatest challenge, and a rather than isolate new forms of text and publishing and branding chief, noted in
common wager that involves everyone: to the new stories through which the younger the opening ceremony, the question is not
collaborate and show that books and their generations communicate. It is via all why Athens was chosen, but why it had
narratives are something that ultimately these avenues that I believe we will inspire not been chosen earlier. Its selection, he
dominates our life much more than we a love of reading in our fellow citizens. said, is due to the high quality proposal and
realise. Books deserve the best celebration, - What is the central theme that will unite programme which centres around the basic
and this is what we are working towards. all the events? ideas of symbiosis, inclusion, and dialogue.
- Do you think this year and these events Our motto is “Books Everywhere”. During - In your opinion, is the capital
will have a significant impact on a society the next 12 months that Athens has been experiencing a cultural spring? What are
that reads little? selected by UNESCO to host this great the indications?
Yes, that is the common goal. You know, project, we will aim to set up as many One year after hosting the international
we Greeks love books but we need art exhibition, documenta14, which
to connect them with other creative brought more than 340,000 visitors to
the city, Athens is emerging as a dynamic
player of contemporary expression. Last
September, Athens was awarded as the Best
Emerging Culture City in 2017 by Leading
Destinations Award, also known as a
139
TALKING HEADS
THE READING
PROJECT*
widespread actions and events as possible.
Interview by Ira Sinigalia *ATHENS MAYOR GIORGOS Many people have worked together for
Photos by John Dimotsis KAMINIS TALKS ABOUT THE the project Athens 2018 World Book
CITY’S GR EAT MOMENT: Capital, in multiple partnerships and
UNESCO WORLD BOOK CAPITAL. collaborations that have activated our
Ο ΔΉΜΑΡΧΟΣ ΑΘΗΝΑΊΩΝ, networks. We want the hundreds of
ΓΙΏΡΓΟΣ Κ ΑΜΊ ΝΗΣ, ΜΙΛ ΆΕΙ different events to reach as many people
ΓΙΑ ΤΗ ΜΕΓΆΛΗ ΣΤΙΓΜΉ ΤΗΣ as possible. Furthermore, we aim to
ΑΘΉΝΑΣ ΩΣ ΠΑΓΚΌΣΜΙΑΣ showcase the close relationship of books
ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΉΣ ΠΡΩΤΕΎΟΥΣΑΣ with the arts, with our daily life and also
ΤΗΣ UNESCO. with technology. Besides, it is stories and
narratives that connect all of us with life!
| avenues, to show that books mean stories, - What is Athens’ comparative advantage
imagination, innovation and creativity; with regards to this event?
- What is the greatest challenge in the they mean theatre, cinema, music, travel, Athens is an extroverted city, with a
project, Athens 2018 World Book Capital? and even new technologies. Through our steady European outlook; a hospitable
We have created a diverse programme with initiatives in all the city’s neighbourhoods and safe big city. It combines a unique
more than 250 actions in collaboration and through our mobile libraries, we aim cultural heritage and traditions with
with over 160 organisations, cultural to bring books and the joy of reading modern creativity and innovation in a very
agencies, universities, libraries, foreign to people who do not enjoy access to interesting way. Here, civilisations coexist
institutions and embassies, publishers, books, and to mobilise them. Moreover, in a constant fermentation and mutual
writers and informal creative teams. That the project includes events that embrace influence. As Ian Denison, UNESCO
was and is the greatest challenge, and a rather than isolate new forms of text and publishing and branding chief, noted in
common wager that involves everyone: to the new stories through which the younger the opening ceremony, the question is not
collaborate and show that books and their generations communicate. It is via all why Athens was chosen, but why it had
narratives are something that ultimately these avenues that I believe we will inspire not been chosen earlier. Its selection, he
dominates our life much more than we a love of reading in our fellow citizens. said, is due to the high quality proposal and
realise. Books deserve the best celebration, - What is the central theme that will unite programme which centres around the basic
and this is what we are working towards. all the events? ideas of symbiosis, inclusion, and dialogue.
- Do you think this year and these events Our motto is “Books Everywhere”. During - In your opinion, is the capital
will have a significant impact on a society the next 12 months that Athens has been experiencing a cultural spring? What are
that reads little? selected by UNESCO to host this great the indications?
Yes, that is the common goal. You know, project, we will aim to set up as many One year after hosting the international
we Greeks love books but we need art exhibition, documenta14, which
to connect them with other creative brought more than 340,000 visitors to
the city, Athens is emerging as a dynamic
player of contemporary expression. Last
September, Athens was awarded as the Best
Emerging Culture City in 2017 by Leading
Destinations Award, also known as a
139
