AEIF 2012 - "Urban Environments in Transition"

https://www.enl.auth.gr/asrp/urban

The full title of the project is: 'URBAN ENVIRONMENTS IN TRANSITION: ENGAGING YOUNG LEADERS AND RAISING COMMUNITY AWARENESS THROUGH MULTIMODAL NARRATIVES.' This is the winning project entry for Greece in the international competition AEIF 2012 (Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund) that took place in the U.S. in Spring 2012 (Number of contestants: 7,000; Number of proposals: 700). Greece was represented in the competition via the Fulbright Foundation. All members of the project core team are Fulbright alumni.

These are:

Project co-ordinator

• Tatiani Rapatzikou (Assistant Professor, School of English, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)

Thessaloniki-based members

• Zoe Detsi (Assistant Professor, School of English, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)
• Yiorgos Kalogeras (Professor, School of English, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)
• Yiouli Theodosiadou (Associate Professor, School of English, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)
• Sakis Serefas (Writer, Translator)
• Sotos Zachariadis (Visual Artist)

Athens-based members

• Konstantinos Blatanis (Lecturer, School of English, University of Athens)
• Liana Sakelliou, (Professor, School of English, University of Athens)
• Kamilo Nollas (Photographer)
• Theodoros Zafeiropoulos (Visual Artist and PhD Candidate at Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly)

This is a two-city project (Athens and Thessaloniki) that combines the study of literary representations of city spaces with creative writing and artistic practice. An attempt is made to bridge literary experience with real life situations through the use of multiple media and other activities in collaboration with non-profit organizations (immigration centers, ecological and artistic groups) and museums. This is a project that places university students (undergraduates and postgraduates) at the center of all activity making them the recipients and communicators of experience and knowledge so that solutions can be sought.

The University Schools that participate in this project are: School of English, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; School of English, University of Athens; Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly.

A call for applications has already been posted on the webpage of School of English, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. A similar call will be posted on the webpage of School of English, University of Athens.

The project activities will be communicated to the wide public via social media as well as in collaboration with the American Corners located in various public libraries around Greece.

A number of independent artists and writers as well as Fulbright grantees (from Greece and the US) will also participate in the project through interviews, guest lectures or responses to questions with regard to the changing urban environment.

The project will culminate in Thessaloniki in January 2013 with an exhibition and symposium. A parallel exhibition will also take place in Athens.