Activities
Capacity buildings
CAPACITY BUILDING ATHENS
Athens, 3-5 October 2025
The Capacity Building Event in Athens (CBEA) marks the introduction to the MATCH program and offers the first opportunity for participating artists and partners to meet.
This gathering will explore the intersections between the climate crisis and culture. Western civilization has long been shaped by colonialism, capitalism, consumerism, and their relentless exploitation of human and natural resources.
Approaching Athens as a palimpsest, we will trace layers of history, memory, and meaning, reflecting on the city’s evolution through time. Within this context, we will revisit the legacy of the Duncans, whose vision inspired the founding of the Duncan Center.
Raymond Duncan, however, posed a radical challenge to the dominant culture of his era. His project—conceived as a community hub for sustainable living and self-sufficiency—anticipated contemporary debates around planetary limits and economic alternatives such as the doughnut economy, circular economy, and degrowth, well before these concepts were formally articulated.
The workshop will also build on the Duncan Dance Research Center’s earlier initiatives, including MOVING GROUND and PLANT, reaffirming its commitment to exploring the vital relationship between culture, sustainability, and social imagination. Finally, participants will engage with the ongoing CRIA (Cultural Climate Change Response Impact Assessment Tool) research, which will accompany the MATCH program and extend beyond its duration.
CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP #1– MATCH: Mediterranean as a Climate Hotspot
Athens, Greece – 3-5 October, 2025
The MATCH project launched with its first Capacity Building Workshop in Athens from October 3 – 5, 2025. This inaugural gathering brought together for the first time the five project partners and ten resident artists, marking the start of their collaborative journey to create work in community gardens and cultural institutions and to advance our explorations of culture as a powerful domain to address climate change across five Mediterranean cities.
The workshop began on Friday evening with a welcoming reception at the Museum of Modern Greek Culture, setting the stage for a dynamic weekend. Saturday immersed participants in the unique landscape and culture of Athens with a Geopoetic tour led by Anna Tzakou, journeying from Mount Hymettus to the Duncan Dance Research Center (DDRC). At the DDRC, Aris Spentsas and Penelope Iliaskou provided a reflective introduction to the center, its communal garden, and the pioneering legacy of Raymond and Isadora Duncan, followed by a presentation of the innovative MOVING GROUND project. The program also included presentations by the ten resident artists and two expert panels:
- Focusing on Athens as a Mediterranean Climate Hotspot: Featuring Deputy Mayor Nikos Chrysogelos, landscape architect Simon Rackham, and engineer/theater director George Sachinis, moderated by Nicholas Anastasopoulos.
- Artistic Response to Climate Change: With curator Maria Thalia Carras and researcher Eleni Katrini, moderated by Christina Katsari.
The day concluded with a convivial dinner at a local tavern.
On Sunday, architect Jean Marc Huygen led a walk through Filopappou Hill, followed by a presentation back at the DDRC on the CRIA tool by NTUA fellows Eva Lavranou and Chaido Kaproulia. The workshop drew to a close in the communal garden with a thoughtfully prepared lunch by Dora Zoumba, a closing note, and farewell drinks.
The event left everyone inspired by the shared experiences and collaborative spirit, while also launching the Athens residency of artists Annalisa Zegna and Garance Maurer.
What an inspiring occasion to launch MATCH!
We eagerly anticipate the next Capacity Building Workshop in Nicosia, from November 2-4.
