Heading for New Shores – Thessaloniki, the “Gateway to the Balkans” is Calling!

2017 sees us hoisting our sails again and heading out to faraway waters! Our field trip continues. It isn’t just our second #rpDUB in Dublin from 7 to 8 September 2017 that we’re looking forward to this year. We’ve got another exciting destination on our agenda: Greece! That means we’ll have to do a little more packing this time around, because we’ll be heading straight on from the #rpDUB to the #rpTHE, taking place from 11 to 13 September 2017 in Thessaloniki!

Due to the economic situation of the last years, Greece today conveys a similar feeling of creative awakening, as well as a darker underbelly, that Berlin had following the fall of the wall. Through this, Greece and the surrounding areas not only harbour a multitude of innovations and creativity, but also a reference and connection to Berlin and, with it, the re:publica. That’s why we are especially happy to tackle the adventure that is Thessaloniki together, and are looking forward to the kick-off for this trip at the re:connecting EUROPE Space at the #rp17!

Why Thessaloniki? As the birthplace of European culture, an intersection to the Balkans and beyond, Greece stands out as the next, relevant partner country. “The gateway” to the Balkans, with the biggest port in the region and a 2,300 year-old city history, make it a very interesting destination indeed! As we see it, Thessaloniki’s multitude of creative legacies and innovations make it the ideal location for a long-lasting integration into the re:publica network. In addition, Thessaloniki is situated near countries such as Albania, Macedonia (FYROM), Serbia and Turkey.

To help further establish and strengthen existing intersections and ties to players and stakeholders from the Greek digital community, we will be launching our vision of a networked Europe with the re:connecting EUROPE Space at the #rp17 and want to make it accessible to everyone! Thanks to the support from the Federal Foreign Office, we now have the chance to bring together activists, entrepreneurs, founders and artists from all over Europe, to exchange and elaborate ideas, projects and opportunities!

“I’ve been visiting the city in the north of Greece together with other representatives of the Berlin creative scene for years now, and every time I catch myself thinking – I know this feeling from somewhere. The city always feels special when you visit it. And what would fit better than organising a re:publica, with its special atmosphere, there. Done and done. I’m looking forward to our trip to Thessaloniki!” Andreas Gebhard, founder and Director of the re:publica.

You want to join us? Tickets for #rpDUB and #rpTHE are already available on our website! 

Photo credit: Andrey Pshenichny (CC BY-SA 2.0)