Thessaloniki Through the Eyes of Children!

With the enthusiastic participation of children aged 5–11, IMMA successfully completed its four-day programme of experiential workshops, held from 7 to 10 September 2026, focusing on Thessaloniki and the stories the city reveals through the eyes of its young residents.

The programme continued the successful creative journey of the Museum’s summer workshops, encouraging children to discover the city and express their ideas about the Thessaloniki they dream of.

At the heart of the workshops was experiential learning and exploration. The children actively took part in art activities, creative writing games, comic creation, digital workshops and drama-based educational activities. Educational walks around the city transformed the urban landscape into a living environment for learning, observation and creative dialogue.

An important aspect of the programme was the approach to the city as a shared, living space in which everyone has a place and a voice. Through visual and written expression, the children were invited to “speak” about their neighbourhoods, identify what they like as well as what they would like to change, and put forward their own ideas for a city that is more beautiful, functional, accessible and friendly.

With the aim of ensuring equal participation for everyone, the historic museum environment became a space for free expression and co-creation, where every child had the opportunity to share their ideas, experiences and imagination, work together with their peers, and feel that their own voice matters.

The completion of the programme left behind an important message: children have their own views about the city, and their ideas deserve to be heard!

The IMMA Team

Curator of the temporary exhibition “Thessaloniki in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries: Social and Cultural Life”:
Stavroula Mavrogeni, Vice-Rector of the University of Macedonia, Director of KEMIT–IMMA

Coordination of activities:
Athina Pavlidou, Director of IMMA

Design and implementation of the educational programme:
Katerina Tzavara, Educator, MSc – Author, Head of Educational Programmes at IMMA

Design of digital activities:
Vangelis Kansizoglou, Historian – Researcher, IMMA

Visitor reception and support – logistical support:
Eleni Mavridou, Historian, IMMA

Activity facilitation:
Kali Arabatzi, Historian

Administrative support:
Kalypso Tryfonaki, IMMA Administrative Secretary

External collaborators:
Dimitris Trakosas, Graphic Designer – Illustrator
Eleftheria Mavridou, Architect – Visual Artist

IMMA warmly thanks all the children and their families for their trust and active participation. Special thanks are extended to Koukakis Farm S.A. for generously providing breakfast for the children.

We look forward to welcoming you again to new educational activities that bring children closer to their history, culture and local community!