The presentation of the printed study “Senses in Dialogue: A Participatory Accessibility Approach to the IMMA Collection”

The presentation of the printed study “Senses in Dialogue: A Participatory Accessibility Approach to the IMMA Collection” was successfully held on Friday, May 8, as part of the 22nd Thessaloniki International Book Fair. The study was implemented by the Foundation of the Museum for the Macedonian Struggle and Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA) in collaboration with Off Stream, with the support and under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Directorate of Modern Cultural Heritage. The presentation highlighted the importance of accessibility and inclusion in culture, not as fragmented practices, but as an ongoing, collective and meaningful process of change. Through the speakers’ contributions, the value of “togetherness,” active listening, and the participation of people with disabilities themselves in shaping the museum of the future was strongly emphasized.

Particular emphasis was placed on the experiences and needs of people with sensory disabilities, as well as on the profound shift in perspective that a truly participatory process can bring. As highlighted during the discussion, accessibility is not limited to technical interventions, but also concerns relationships of trust, empathy, equal participation, and a new understanding of the museum as a space open to everyone. At the same time, IMMA presented its immediate next goals in this direction, including staff training, the development of a concrete accessibility strategy, the strengthening of collaboration with disability communities, and the implementation of a sustainable long-term intervention plan.

The presentation took the form of a panel discussion featuring members of the project team and collaborators of the study: Athina Pavlidou, Philologist, Museologist and Director of the Museum for the Macedonian Struggle; Stavroula Mavrogeni, Professor at the Department of Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies of the University of Macedonia and Director of KEMIT at the Museum for the Macedonian Struggle; Chara Kanari, Special Education Teacher, Museum Educator and Associate Professor of Museum Education at the School of Early Childhood Education, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Christina Vlachou, Cultural Manager and Co-founder of Off Stream; Stella Anastasaki, Art Historian and Co-founder of Off Stream; Eleni Mavridou, Historian and Head of Visitor Reception and Services at the Museum for the Macedonian Struggle; and Fani Tsikoura, Educator and member of the Project Focus Group. The discussion was moderated by Maria Vlachou, Cultural Management and Communications Consultant and Executive Director of Acesso Cultura.

The Museum for the Macedonian Struggle warmly thanks the moderator and speakers for their valuable presentations, contributions, experiences and reflections shared with the audience. The Museum also extends its gratitude to the other members of the project team: Matina Dritsa, Philologist, MSc in Special Education and certified user of the Greek Sign Language; Rafaelia Kaklimani, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Photographer; Dora (Donto) Moirasgenti, Deputy Head of the Secretariat Department of the Directorate of Foreigners and Migration of Thessaloniki and Political Science student at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Spyros Kouzelis, Certified Greek Sign Language Interpreter; and graphic designer Mariza Tsakona for developing the visual identity of the project and for the design and layout of the study publication.

The event was honoured by the presence of the Deputy Regional Governor for Culture, Mr. Christos Mitas, the Director of the War Museum, Colonel Papathanasiou, the Head of the YMCA Basketball Museum, Ms. Eleftheria Theodoroudi, as well as representatives of institutions and organisations, academics, students, journalists, and many interested citizens. We warmly thank everyone who attended and contributed to a fruitful dialogue on a more open, accessible and inclusive culture.

The digital version of the Study is openly accessible to everyone through the IMMA website, in the dedicated Accessibility section