Who are the people behind olipoli? In an extensive interview with Exostis, Tessie Giannakina, Elena Moudiri Chasiotou, Makis Baklatzis, and Andriana Achitzanova-Petala talk about their shared vision, music in public spaces, the Home Concerts series, the Anopolis World Music Festival, the North Evia Festival, the musical ensembles Terpsis Orchestra and Nefes Project, and their desire to contribute to a more creative, open, and participatory Thessaloniki.

In this interview with Protagon, Tessie Giannakina and Vangelis Vrachnos discuss the idea behind Home Concerts, a series of house concerts in Thessaloniki inspired by similar initiatives they encountered abroad. They reflect on the unique relationship between musicians and audiences in such intimate settings, the sense of community that emerges when strangers gather around music, and the challenges and rewards of hosting live performances in private homes.

In this interview with Parallaxi, Tessie Giannakina and Elena Moudiri Chasiotou discuss the founding of olipoli, the need for more spaces for artistic expression in Thessaloniki, and their vision for an open cultural community. From the Anopolis World Music Festival and the North Evia Festival to home concerts, performances in artists’ studios, support for emerging artists, music in public space, and the development of new collaborations, the conversation sheds light on the ideas and values that shape olipoli’s work.

Inspired by Sakis Serefas’ award-winning book A Dinosaur on My Balcony, How Many People Can Fit on My Balcony? is an olipoli production that brings the history, memory and cultural diversity of Thessaloniki to life through live music, narration and visual arts. Following its performances at the Islahane Cultural Centre, Ogdoo highlighted the production as a meaningful artistic experience for audiences of all ages, offering a creative introduction to the city's rich multicultural heritage.

In an in-depth interview with Rosa.gr, the programme team reflects on how traditional songs that glorify “honour” and normalise violence can become tools for critical thinking, dialogue and social change. Through the voices of young people, Songs of Shame seeks to transform inherited narratives into new perspectives.

olipoli has been selected to make use of one of the spaces of the Cultural Neighborhood of the Municipality of Neapoli-Sykies, an initiative that hosts artists and creators from different fields, including visual arts and instrument making.

olipoli’s presence in the Cultural Neighborhood creates new opportunities for the development of artistic, educational and community-based activities, as well as for meeting and exchanging ideas with other creators active in the area.

The educational programme Songs of Shame was featured in a report by ERT NEWS, with the participation of members of the project team, educators and students from the Music School of Thessaloniki. The report highlights the programme’s methodology and objectives, as well as the work carried out in schools around issues of gender stereotypes and gender-based violence.

olipoli has become an Associate Member of the European Network of Cultural Centres (ENCC), a European network that brings together cultural organisations, artists, researchers, educators and cultural professionals from across Europe.

Joining the network creates new opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaboration and participation in European initiatives that promote culture as a space for participation, dialogue and social cohesion.

On the occasion of the 6th edition of the Anopolis World Music Festival, Tessie Giannakina and Eleni Christodoulou discuss the festival’s connection to Ano Poli, music as a bridge between cultures, and the importance of accessible cultural experiences. The interview explores the festival’s philosophy, its relationship with public space, and the way Thessaloniki’s historic neighborhood is transformed each year into a place of musical discovery and encounter.