The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) opens its doors to the public, presenting 4 days—and nights—of events for the whole family, which will take place from June 21st to the 24th, combining Music and Photography, Architecture and the Environment, Sports and Creative Workshops, all-night Video Art Screenings and Art, offering a multifaceted experience, filled with Magic & Surprises.
Every day, the events will start early in the afternoon and last all-night long until dawn of the morning after, “Lighting Up the Night at the Stavros Niarchos Park”.
For the first time ever, the under construction SNFCC prepares to welcome thousands of people at the Stavros Niarchos Park, the first part of the project, the development of which has already been completed to a very large degree.
Through participation in the events, visitors will have the opportunity to witness up close the project’s evolution, and to enjoy a “future-like experience”, reflecting the multifaceted program of activities that will take place at the SNFCC, once it is in full operation.
The 4 days—and nights—of events at the SNFCC focus on four main themes (Art, Sports, Education and Sustainability), which reflect the philosophy of the whole project: open access for all citizens, without exception, to a modern, welcoming and open space where music, theater and the arts will go hand in hand with recreation, research, nature and sports.
For four days and nights, the SNFCC transforms into a live stage, where artists from Greece and abroad will dance, sing and give innovative performances, many of which are presented for the very first time in Greece. Moreover, during the events, the venue will be transformed into an outdoor cinema with video art screenings, a giant chess board, a versatile sports stadium and a creative field where dozens of workshops will activate all our senses.
The schedule of the approximately 50 events that will be hosted at the Stavros Niarchos Park, was formed with the valuable contribution of dozens of the SNFCC’s friends and partners from Greece, but also from abroad, who joined forces and utilized their full creativity towards a common purpose: organizing events which will inspire the public, instill optimism for the future of the project and invite people to get acquainted with the SNFCC which is on its way to becoming a part of all our lives.
All events are made possible through an exclusive grant by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
For their contributions, we wish to thank the following: Greek Police, Municipality of Athens, Municipality of Kallithea, Greek Olympic Committee, EKAB (National Centre of Emergency Help), Regeneration & Progress NGO, Association for People with Mobility Problems and Friends ”Perpato”
Useful information about the events:
✓ Free admission to all events
✓ No pre-registration is required for participation in the events, except in the case of the SNFCC RUN from the Panathenaic Stadium to the SNFCC on June 23.
✓ Pre-registration for the SNFCC RUN (June 23), will be carried out through a special electronic link, which will be activated within the next days.
✓ Due to the limited number of slots available, participation in certain events will take place with the use of priority tickets. The priority tickets will be issued on site at the Park, on the same day.
✓ For the public’s convenience, there will be Free Parking in the area of the Tae Kwon Do stadium.
✓ Shuttle buses will be departing regularly from the Syngrou-Fix Metro Station, for the free transportation of the public to the event site.
✓ The entrance to the worksite for the events is located at the junction of Evripidou & Dimosthenous streets (Kallithea).
Opening hours:
Sunday, June 21: 18:00 – 23:00
Monday, June 22: 18:00 – 06:00
Tuesday, June 23: 18:00 – 06:00
Wednesday, June 24: 18:00 – 06:00
As the site is still under construction, security rules apply (see in detail: SNFCC.org). Furthermore, for security reasons, both for children and adults, there is a maximum number of persons that may be present simultaneously in the area of the Stavros Niarchos Park. However, our colleagues and the SNFCC staff will be present within the broader area of the site to provide the public with any information or assistance needed, ensuring the smooth running of all events and the best possible experience for all guests.
The themes of the events at the SNFCC are closely linked to the thematic framework of the Fourth International Conference on Philanthropy, carried out by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation in Athens, on June 25th and 26th. Centered on the issue of “Philanthropy and Sustainability”, this year’s Conference aims to investigate the role of philanthropy in attaining a sustainable society, but also the way in which sustainable practices in the fields of Education, Health and Culture can contribute to philanthropy and social welfare in general. The theme of the conference is directly linked to the development of the construction of the SNFCC, since environmental sustainability is one of the core values of the project.
In 2012 and 2013, the Foundation announced two new initiatives of €100,000,000 ($130 million) each, to help the efforts to address the crisis in Greece. While the initiative in 2012, which has almost been completed, aimed to provide immediate relief against the adverse effects of the deepening crisis, the one in 2013 aims to address the high percentage of youth unemployment, seeking to create better employment prospects and new opportunities for the young.
The Foundation’s largest single gift ($796 million / €566 million) is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in Athens, which is expected to be completed in 2016. The project includes the new facilities of the National Library of Greece, and of the Greek National Opera, as well as the Stavros Niarchos Park. The SNFCC is a testament and a commitment to the country’s future. It is also an engine of short- to mid-term economic stimulus.