The Women’s Literary Society (WLS), co-organized with the Foundation of the Museum for the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA), on the occasion of the celebration of International Women’s Day, invites you to the opening of the art exhibition:

“WOMAN & LIGHT”
Theme: “Women in children’s, young adult and crossover literature”

Friday, March 6, 2026, at 19:00
at the “Alexandros Chaitoglou” Temporary Exhibitions and Events Hall
of the Museum for the Macedonian Struggle.

The exhibition highlights the female presence in Literature, History, and Social Life, illuminating through visual creation the role of imagery as a carrier of values, role models, and positive messages for gender equality.

Twenty-four contemporary artists (painters, sketch artists, illustrators, comic artists, digital artists) participate, bringing to light stories of courage, self-determination, and dreams through their art. They emphasize the value of equality, the power of the female voice, and the optimistic vision of a world without discrimination:

Ioanna–Stavroula Athanasopoulou / Panagiotis Giakas
Paraskevi Giapani / Liana Denezaki / Chrysta Dimarelou
Danae Dimoutziki / Kallirroi Ilias / Emmanouela Kakavia
Maria Kombatsiari / Angeliki Kourmoulaki
Chrysa Konstantinidou / Kaiti Makri / Maggy Makri / Kostis Makris
Christos Palanis / Iliana Petrisli / Andriana Rizoi / Tasia Sempsi
Ifigeneia Sideri / Teti Solou / Ilias Tabakeas / Dimitris Trakosas
Ioanna Tsatsou / Lambros Psyrakis

EXHIBITION INFORMATION

Opening: Friday, March 6, 2026
Co-organization: Women’s Literary Society (WLS) & Foundation of the Museum for the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA)
Curator: Stavroula Mavrogeni, Professor at the University of Macedonia – Director of KEMIT IMMA
General Coordination: Anna Vasileiadi, President of WLS; Athena Pavlidou, Director of IMMA
Poster Design: Teti Solou, Author & Illustrator

Duration: March 6 – April 19, 2026
Admission: Museum entrance ticket
Opening hours (Museum hours):
Mon: 9:00–14:00
Tue: 9:00–14:00
Wed: 9:00–20:00
Thu: 9:00–14:00
Fri: 9:00–14:00
Sat: 10:00–14:00
Sun: Closed

“Sciences, Culture, Woman & Light”

Social Conference – March 7, 2026

As part of the art exhibition “WOMAN & LIGHT,” on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 10:00 to 14:00, a Social Conference titled:

“Sciences, Culture, Woman & Light”

will be held at the “Alexandros Chaitoglou” Hall of the Museum for the Macedonian Struggle, with the participation of academics, doctors, educators, and health professionals:

Anna Vasileiadi / Eleni Giannatsoulia / Nikitas Kanakis
Evangelia Kantartzi / Dimitra Kogidou
Stavroula Mavrogeni / Katerina Tzavara

The conference is open to the general public and addresses issues concerning women’s physical and mental health, exploitation of women, female representations in the Arts (visual and literary works), as well as gender stereotypes encountered in Education and Society.

Co-organization: Women’s Literary Society (WLS) & Foundation of the Museum for the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA)
General Coordination: Anna Vasileiadi, President of WLS; Athena Pavlidou, Director of IMMA
Contact: Katerina Tzavara, Head of Educational Programs, IMMA
Poster Design: Teti Solou, Author & Illustrator

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

9:30–10:00 Arrival
10:00–10:15 Welcome addresses
10:15–11:30 Presentations

“Deconstructing gender stereotypes from early childhood: Language and play as fields of social transformation.”
Dimitra Kogidou, Professor Emerita, School of Education, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Coordinator of the Network of Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Committees in Greek Universities

“Women and stereotypes in Art.”
Stavroula Mavrogeni, Professor, Department of Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies, University of Macedonia; Director of KEMIT–IMMA

“Silent messages: Gender identities in images of school knowledge.”
Evangelia Kantartzi, President of the National Center for Research and Preservation of School Material; Director of the Museum of School Life and Education

“From Snow White to the Women Who Changed the World: Creating role models in children’s literature.”
Katerina Tzavara, Author; Educator, MSc in Quality of Life for Children; Head of Educational Programs, IMMA

11:30–12:00 Coffee – Networking

12:00–13:00 Presentations

“Women’s Literary Society: Female pioneering in a difficult era.”
Anna Vasileiadi, Author; President of the Women’s Literary Society

“My body is changing — who am I? Body and soul in transition: the female life experience.”
Eleni Giannatsoulia, Psychologist trained in psychodynamic therapy; Member of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy (IARPP) and the IARPP Thessaloniki Branch

“Behind the showcase… Aspects of violence against women through the lens of humanitarian medicine.”
Nikitas Kanakis, President of Doctors of the World; Director of Social Structures of the Public Municipal Enterprise of the Municipality of Piraeus

13:00–13:30 Discussion – End of event

Attendance at the conference is free for the public.

Official Media Sponsor of IMMA: Macedonia Newspaper.