With the symbolic selection of the name of Byzantine Empress Theophano —whose contribution was critical in the cultural rebirth of the Western European region— and with the Rotunda for the Award Ceremony —a landmark monument signifying the Roman, Byzantine, Orthodox, Ottoman, and Greek influence on the shaping of Europe— the award aims to:

• Reward individuals or organisations for their contribution to the understanding and strengthening of the modern European Idea;
• Promote, at this crucial juncture, the recognition of the common heritage shared by different geographic areas of Europe and the historic interdependence of its peoples, as well as their importance to current European cooperation and the relations of Europe with its neighbouring cultures;
• Underline and highlight the contributions of the parties receiving the prize, broadening our understanding of the European Union, European cooperation, and our common roots in history.

The idea of the prize emerged from prominent European personalities who, looking back at the historical and geographical roots of Europe, focus their attentions to promoting the contemporary European identity and our shared historic European principles and values. The Empress Theophano Prize is set to be presented annually by the Theophano Foundation in the form of a distinction not linked to a monetary award, following the evaluation of candidates by the two main bodies of the Foundation: the Advisory and the Governing Councils, chaired by the Honorary President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium, Mr Herman Count Van Rompuy, and the Chairman of the Cultural Society of Entrepreneurs of Northern Greece, Mr Stavros Andreadis, respectively.

SYMVOLI Conference & Cultural Management, has since 2019 undertaken the management of the Theophano Foundation, and is in charge of designing and organizing the annual Award Ceremony in the Rotunda Monument.

More information www.theophano.eu

Empress Theophano Prize 2022

The third Empress Theophano Prize aimed to highlight the role of Art in intercultural dialogue, in the figure of a legend of music and a great thinker of political and human collaboration, Daniel Barenboim. To honor his contribution, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, a classical music orchestra that consists of Israelis and Palestinians and is considered Barenboim’s greatest initiative, performed inside the historical monument of Rotunda creating a unique and unforgettable experience. Η.Ε. the President of the Hellenic Republic Ms Katerina Sakellaropoulou and the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as well as leading personalities from all over Europe,  honoured the event with their presence. The award was received by Michael Barenboim, son of the renowned artist and passionate continuator of his vision.

Empress Theophano Prize 2021

The Award Ceremony for the Empress Theophano Prize 2021 focused on the critical role science serves in society and its contribution to the Common Good, in the presence of HE the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou. In an atmosphere permeated by strong emotion and heartfelt respect, the couple who developed the first vaccine against the novel coronavirus was honoured – Dr Uğur Şahin and Dr Özlem Türeci, the two scientists whose unwavering efforts to solve an unprecedented health crisis led them to a discovery that turned fear into hope not only in Europe but all across Humanity.

Moreover, the Theophano Round Table, a new initiative established by Theophano Foundation, was held for the first time in 2021, under the title “Securing Future Wellbeing Through Science”.

Empress Theophano Prize 2020

The Advisory and Governing Councils of the Theophano Foundation in 2020 awarded the inaugural prize to the student exchange programme of the European Union, ERASMUS, an institution that expresses the ideal of European cooperation and mobility in practice, while effectively strengthening mutual understanding through the young people at the core of the very future of Europe. The grand ceremony was conducted under the auspices of her Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou and in the presence of Greek Prime Minister, Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The President of the European Commission, Ms Ursula von der Leyen, participated via remote video connection. The prize accepted, on her behalf, the European Commission Vice-President for Promoting the European Way of Life, Mr Margaritis Schinas.

The post Empress Theophano Prize first appeared on SYMVOLI.

The Cultural Society of Entrepreneurs of Northern Greece in the framework of the MATAROA axis of action, joins forces with important artistic institutions of Thessaloniki to promote young artists.

The MATAROA | Visual Arts Awards, is organized annually since 2020 in collaboration with Art Thessaloniki-International Contemporary Art Fair. Aiming to promote and showcase young artists as part of the country’s cultural frontline, the two co-organizers host a contest, set up a thematic exhibition and bestow a series of awards to every artist who strands out. The Jury and the audience, through onsite and online voting, designate the most prominent nominee out of the 10 selected portfolios, to receive the prize of 1,500 Euros. Additionally, two artists receive honorary distinctions, as well as 700 Euros cash prize each. The 10 nominated artists are featured on the websites of both Art Thessaloniki International Contemporary Art Fair (www.art-thessaloniki.gr | www.artforum.gr) and the Cultural Society of Entrepreneurs of Northern Greece (www.peebe.gr | www.culturalsociety.gr).

The MATAROA | Design Awards, in collaboration with Thessaloniki Design Week 2023, support young designers. After the open call for proposals in the themes “Designing the restaurant of the future” & “Smart and innovative food concepts”, and the evaluation process by the committees, the most outstanding entries are selected from the submitted portfolios and will be awarded three prizes worth €1,500, €1,000 and €500 in each theme.

The MATAROA | Photography Awards, first organized in October 2023, in collaboration with the MOMus-Museum of Photography of Thessaloniki issued an open call to emerging photographers to submit proposals for the exhibition programme of the Thessaloniki PhotoBiennale 2023 / 25th International Photography Meeting to be inaugurated in October 2023. A three-member committee collected and examined the proposals submitted, then selected two (2) proposals to be presented in solo exhibitions at the Thessaloniki PhotoBiennale 2023 in venues selected by the MOMus-Museum of Photography of Thessaloniki.

The post MATAROA AWARDS first appeared on SYMVOLI.

Internationally acclaimed Sani Festival returns to Sani Resort, Greece, with a Spectacular Line-up of Global Music Legends performing on the iconic Sani Hill

An Incredible Line-up of International Artists, 14 Grammy Awards and 36 Nominations taking the stage of Sani Festival from 12th July to 23rd August 2025, among them Buena Vista All Stars, Norah Jones, Gloria Gaynor, Gipsy Kings ft. Tonino Baliardo, and a special tribute to Lina Nikolakopoulou. 

Award-winning Sani Resort is delighted to announce the return of its ever popular Sani Festival for summer 2025 with a spectacular line-up of Grammy award-winning, global music legends. An internationally acclaimed music festival that takes place at the world‘s leading luxury beach resort in Greece each year, Sani Festival has been welcoming renowned artists to perform under the stars, atop the iconic Sani Hill for over three decades. Taking place between 12th July and 23rd August, this year’s Sani Festival promises an eclectic mix of genres, from jazz, R&B and soul to disco, world music, new wave, and timeless Greek melodies. Each year, crowds are drawn from across the globe to Sani Hill, with breathtaking views over the azure waters of the Aegean Sea. This year’s Sani Festival line-up includes legendary artists of the global music scene: Buena Vista All Stars, Norah Jones, Gloria Gaynor, Gipsy Kings featuring Tonino Baliardo, a special tribute to the top Greek songwriter Lina Nikolakopoulou,and more to be announced soon.

The post SANI FESTIVAL 2025 first appeared on SYMVOLI.

Organization: European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI)

The Earli Association is an international networking organisation for junior and senior researchers in education. EARLI offers a wide range of activities to support its members in their academic endeavours. Through the Biennial EARLI Conference, Special Interest Groups and research groups, EARLI aims to encourage researchers to meet and discuss in an international context. The upcoming conference will take place in Thessaloniki, between 22-26 of August 2023.

EARLI 2023

EARLI 2023 made a record of attendance in the history of EARLI and a buzz of success in the city of Thessaloniki: 7 days, 5 venues, 2065 presentations in 553 sessions, and more than 2700 participants from 60 countries around the world! It provide an excellent forum to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and discuss the most recent research advances on learning and instruction including issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on education. Under the title “Education as a hope in uncertain times” the conference’s central theme  stimulated dialogue about the constantly changing learning and teaching environments: students, teachers, and parents are facing several challenges in coping with and adapting to these transformations. Under this uncertainty, education can be hope for the future, and schools can become vehicles of power for positive changes in the society. In this context of critical reflection, the conference became a meeting place and networking platform for scientists and professionals from the field of education, mental health, and the wider community.

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EARLI2023/

Find us on Twitter: @EARLI2023

Find the EARLI’s website HERE

The post EARLI 2023 first appeared on SYMVOLI.

Organization: European Family Therapy Association

11th Conference of the European Family Therapy Association

After the successful 10th Conference of the European Family Therapy Association that took place in Naples, Italy in 2019, SYMVOLI is proud to announce the continuation of our cooperation for the upcoming conference in 2022. More information will be announced soon.

The post EFTA 2022 first appeared on SYMVOLI.

Organization: Heinrich Böll Stiftung Thessaloniki

Heinrich Böll Stiftung Thessaloniki celebrates 10 years of presence in Greece with a two-day event rich in ideas, discussions, and actions!

At SYMVOLI we have undertaken the organization of the two-day event entitled Re-think | Re-act, which will take place on June 29 at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall and on June 30 at various places in the city.

June 29 | Re-think! Idea Forum: On the first day, there will be discussed issues such as the economy for the benefit of the public, the urban-rural divide, the need for energy democracy, the empowering of inclusive communities and the safeguarding of democracy and human rights at all levels.

June 30 | Re-act! Ideas in motion: On the second day, various events will be organized in the city, trying to show how the above ideas can be put into practice.

At SYMVOLI we are very happy to collaborate with the Heinrich Böll Stiftung foundation, as the work it performs in Greece, and in 59 (!) other countries in the world where it is based, is very important for highlighting issues connected to the political value of ecology, sustainable development, democracy, human rights, inclusion and gender equality.

The post 10 years Heinrich Böll Stiftung Thessaloniki first appeared on SYMVOLI.