Highlights of the 8th Congress of Young Europeans and the entire public conference Watch a video with the highlights of the four-day event, capturing its unique atmosphere, the people and the variety of events. See also the full recording of the public conference by session, with all the interesting contributions and discussions.
Places of architecture and history The more than ten different events of the Congress are spread all over the centre of Thessaloniki and provide a great opportunity for the delegates to get to know the city, its architectural diversity and, therefore, its history. However, there are three main venues for the Congress. Have a look and read a little information about them!
The 8th Congress of Young Europeans in words and pictures Around 100 young people from 31 European countries came to Thessaloniki on 19-22 October 2023 to explore the issue of independent living. Here you may find a wealth of photographs and read detailed descriptions and reports on the workshops, the public conference and all other activities and events of the four days of the Congress.
8th Congress of Young Europeans ‘Independence Days: Our challenges, our responses’ – 19-22 October 2023 Around 100 young people from 31 European countries came to Thessaloniki on 19-22 October 2023 to explore the issue of independent living. At the same time they had the opportunity to get in touch with the work of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, but also to get to know the city, learn about its past and present and, of course, have fun. Here is a summary of what happened during the four days of the conference – four intense and busy days, full of experiences, insights, information, contacts and friendships.
Workshop: Final resolution – building a strong narrative – Sunday 22 October 2023 On the last day of the Congress we all gathered together at the Modiano Food Market for a farewell breakfast. Then, under the coordination of the speaker coach Katerina Biliouri, a workshop was held in order to elaborate the conclusions of the previous days and to draft a kind of declaration in the form of a public speech. See detailed description.
Cultural programme – Saturday 21 October 2023 The delegates had the opportunity to explore the city and the known or unknown aspects of its history. The three options they could choose from were a guided walk along the waterfront and a boat trip on the Thermaikos Gulf, a tour of the former Red Light district, and a visit to the main exhibition of the Thessaloniki Photobiennale. In the end they all joined together for a... lesson in modern Greek political history at the Grigoris Lambrakis monument and a street concert. See detailed descriptions.
A city where history is around the corner - A snapshot of political history & street concert In front of the monument to politician, pacifist and athlete Grigoris Lambrakis, the delegates had the opportunity to attend a compact lesson in modern Greek history, followed by a concert of Greek music with the band Roubayat. Read more…
The spectre of the people – Photo exhibition Thessaloniki Photobiennale is one of the most important cultural festivals of the city. We visited its main exhibition on the theme of populism, as captured in the work of 26 top photographers from around the world. Read more...
Memories of a sensual city - A tour of the former Red Light District of Thessaloniki In an unconventional tour the delegates were able to learn the unspoken history of the city, this of the interconnected sex work and LGBTQI+ communities that were both forced to live in hiding for years. Read more…