PRESS RELEASE REPORT
OPENING OF IMMA EXHIBITION

The inauguration of IMMA’s new temporary exhibition entitled “Thessaloniki in the Late 19th – Early 20th Century: Social and Cultural Life” was held with distinction and great success at the Museum for the Macedonian Struggle, highlighting Thessaloniki as a timeless crossroads of cultures, ideas, and people.

Through rare photographic and archival material from the Archive of the Center for Research on Macedonian History and Documentation of the Foundation of the Museum for the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia (KEMIT-IMMA), as well as important private collections such as those of Alexandros and Lena Chaitoglou, Georgios Konstantinidis, and Vasilis Gounaris, the exhibition showcases the economic activity, social and cultural conditions in Thessaloniki during a period of transformation, challenges, urban development, and cultural flourishing.

The exhibition was first presented in March 2026 at the Faculty of Fine Arts Hall of the University of Pristina, through the initiative and substantial contribution of the Head of the Greek Liaison Office in Pristina, Ambassador Ms. Eleni Vakali, highlighting her longstanding collaboration with IMMA and promoting Thessaloniki’s cultural identity to the public of Kosovo. In her speech during the opening event, she noted the growing interest of citizens from the Western Balkans in the city, emphasizing the importance of culture, tourism, and human interaction as means of strengthening dialogue and cooperation.

The Director of IMMA, Ms. Athina Pavlidou, emphasized that Thessaloniki has historically been a multicultural and outward-looking city, where the coexistence of different communities shaped a unique cultural identity. As she noted, the images and personal stories presented in the exhibition highlight timeless values such as acceptance of diversity, peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and cultural exchange.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of IMMA, Mr. Nikolaos K. Margaropoulos, stressed that the exhibition illuminates Thessaloniki’s vibrant identity and confirms the Foundation’s steadfast commitment to preserving and promoting the modern history of Macedonia through contemporary and outward-looking cultural initiatives.

The exhibition is not merely a historical retrospective but also a vivid journey into Thessaloniki’s collective memory, showcasing the enduring strength, identity, and history of the city, emphasized the Deputy Regional Governor for Culture and Sports of the Region of Central Macedonia, Mr. Christos Mittas.

The Deputy Mayor for Culture, Tourism Development, and Intermunicipal Cooperation of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Mr. Vasilis Gakis, highlighted the symbolic significance of the Museum for the people of Thessaloniki, as it narrates a major chapter of the city’s history and explains how Thessaloniki became part of the Greek state about a century ago. He underlined that the exhibition offers meaningful insight into Thessaloniki during a pivotal historical period and proposed the development of cultural exchanges between the two cities, beginning with their Schools of Fine Arts. He also noted that museums are not warehouses or time capsules of memory but dynamic elements of contemporary cultural and artistic creation.

The Mayor of Pristina, Mr. Përparim Rama, was also present and stressed the importance of cultural cooperation between Thessaloniki and Pristina. He expressed interest in further strengthening relations between the two cities through a twinning agreement aimed at developing joint initiatives in culture, education, tourism, and innovation.

The exhibition curator, Professor at the University of Macedonia (PAMAK) and Director of KEMIT-IMMA, Ms. Stavroula Mavrogeni, explained that special emphasis is placed on the people and communities of Thessaloniki, education, professions, architecture, and everyday life during the era. The exhibition also highlights two defining events in the city’s history: the Great Fire of 1917 and the arrival of refugees following the Asia Minor Catastrophe of 1922.

Photographs of iconic locations in old Thessaloniki, such as the Allatini Mills, the Vardari Gate, and the “Exoches” district, as well as AI-enhanced videos that bring historical images to life, provide visitors with a modern and immersive experience.

The exhibition will run until 30 August 2026 and is accompanied by a printed catalogue edited and produced by Dandelion Stories, serving as a documentation and study tool for Thessaloniki during the period.

Among those attending the event were the Deputy Minister of Macedonia and Thrace, Mr. Konstantinos Gkioulekas; Deputy Regional Governor for Culture and Sports, Mr. Christos Mittas, representing the Regional Governor of Central Macedonia; Deputy Mayor for Culture, Tourism Development, and Intermunicipal Cooperation, Mr. Vasilis Gakis, representing the Mayor of Thessaloniki; Reverend Archpriest Father Manos Palaiologos, representing the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki; the Consul General of France in Thessaloniki, Mr. Jean-Luc Lavaud; the Consul General of Albania, Ms. Erida Dobrushi; Rear Admiral Emmanouil Anagnostopoulos, Deputy Commander of ADISPO, representing the Commander of ASDIM; the President of FAATH, Mr. Giorgos Konstantinidis; along with distinguished representatives of local government, the diplomatic and academic community, education, and culture.

The exhibition’s journey from Pristina to Thessaloniki confirms the power of culture to transcend borders, strengthen cooperation, and create meaningful ties between societies and cities.