Invitation to the Opening of the Group Art Exhibition
“Golden and Woolen Braids with Golden Twisted Cords”

The Foundation of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA) invites you to the opening of the group art exhibition entitled “Golden and Woolen Braids with Golden Twisted Cords,” curated by archaeologist and art historian Iris Kritikou, which will take place on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 19:00, in the hall “Macedonian Society” of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle.

Rise, girl, and adorn yourself, go out to the neighborhood,
with your golden earrings and your silver greetings.
Coins sway upon your neck, a silken belt around your waist,
and your mother gazes at you with pride, like the pale dawn.

Bracelets upon her hands, a brooch upon her scarf,
and all the land says of her that she is a first white lily.
She wore a silver belt, a belt of gold,
so her bravery may be seen, and her poor dowry as well.

Taking as its starting point traditional costumes from the collections, as well as selected folkloric objects of the Foundation of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia, the exhibition presents an organic dialogue with the participation of important contemporary visual artists. In the display cases and open spaces of the “Macedonian Society” hall of the Museum’s permanent exhibition, beginning from an original core of garments, jewelry, and folkloric objects from the collections, contemporary works of small and medium scale are presented. These works draw inspiration from form and material, patterns and symbolism, as well as from the aesthetic and conceptual imprint of these objects in today’s world.

The costume of the Macedonian fighter Georgios Roumbesis (Captain Tzavaras), the traditional female costume from Alexandria, Imathia (Gidas) along with additional elements of a second identical costume, the female costume from Morichovo, and part of the female attire of Paschalina Toparlani from Melissochori (Baltza), as well as various other folkloric objects, served as points of departure and inspiration for the participating artists.

Working with different media (painting, sculpture, weaving, embroidery, engraving, carving, jewelry-making, construction, etc.), contemporary and traditional techniques, and imaginative inventions using light materials (fabric, thread, paper, beads, plaster, wax, etc.), in dialogue with the original objects and drawing from heterogeneous fragments of visual and tactile memory, the participating artists present selected earlier works as well as new works created specifically for the exhibition. These works encompass dense historical, aesthetic, and conceptual references. Altogether, the works of the thirty-eight participating artists organically embrace the notion and significance of continuity over time, inventing and proposing new forms, interpretations, and uses within contemporary fields.

Exhibition Curator: Iris Kritikou, Archaeologist – Art Historian

Participating Artists:
Christina Athanasoula-Mantzavinou, Lela Arvaniti, Ariadni Vitastali, Mary Galani-Kritikou, Tania Dimitrakopoulou, Maria Diakodimitriou, Christina Douzeni, Eirini Zaimi, Katerina Kalitsounaki, Despina Kalliga, Vasso Kaloudioti, Georgia Karakousi, Vasilis Kilitslis, Anastasios Madamopoulos, Varvara Maltezou, Lydia Margaroni, Minas Mavrikakis, Giotis Balodimos, Manos Batzolis, Rouli Boua, Aleka Myrilla, Dionysia Papadopoulou, Marietta Papacheimona, Vaggelis Polyzos, Michalis Sakalis, Katerina Sarafi, Iphigeneia Sdoukou, Zoi Sekleizioti, Eleni Siousti, Chryssa Skordaki, Katerina Stathatou, Marina Stellatou, Konstantina Tzavidopoulou, Zefi Tiftiktsoglou, Nikos Triantafyllou, Klairi Tsalouchidi-Chatzimina, Argyris Chatzimallis.

EXHIBITION INFORMATION

Opening: Friday, February 13, 2026, 19:00
Organizer: Foundation of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA)
Curator: Iris Kritikou, Archaeologist – Art Historian
Coordination: Athena Pavlidou, Philologist–Museologist, Director of IMMA
Duration: February 13 – March 13, 2026
Admission: With the Museum entrance ticket
Opening Hours: According to the Museum’s schedule
Monday: 9:00–14:00
Tuesday: 9:00–14:00
Wednesday: 9:00–20:00
Thursday: 9:00–14:00
Friday: 9:00–14:00
Saturday: 10:00–14:00
Sunday: Closed