The “European Week Against Racism 2017” gave another opportunity to local stakeholders of the city of Patras (metropolitan centre of Western Greece) to join forces for a common goal!

A series of events took place within 18th to 23rd March 2017, under the initiative “No child is foreign to us!” that were designed and implemented through a participatory process involving twenty-eight partner organisations.

Several cultural events (dance-theatre-music-poetry-games) delivered positive messages on humanism and inclusiveness. Schools of elementary and secondary education, as well as civil society representatives made remarkable theatre and dance performances (such as “Dance unites, holds in and consoles”, “Monologues from Aegean sea”, “We welcome spring and diversity along with disabled people”) at the main square at Patras city centre, at the Park of Educational Activities and other venues. The playgrounds of schools remained open at non-working hours for games such as “Many colors, One game!” and the messages of solidarity, friendship, and human rights fluttered in the spring air …

Migrant associations & youth presented information about the culture and heritage of their origins. Language was explored as a means of expression & communication through narration, music and theatre from Russia, Latin America, Romania and Albania.

Regional sailing clubs were activated, organising a symbolic sea contest that took place at the coastal line in Patras port! Exhibits of “Patras Archeological Museum” that carry meanings of positive inspiration, friendship and hope, were revealed.

21st March being the International Day of Poetry, the Anti-Racism week had a poetry dimension too, i.e. a workshop was dedicated to creative writing (poems) by pupils.  A pupil of the school of the St. Stefan prison of Patras recited (in recording) a poem of his own. Poems touched the hearts of all and the musical event that followed sublimated the enthusiasm and energy of the Week.

All activities were embraced by the Municipality of Patras through a statement of the Mayor, Mr Kostas PELETIDES, emphasising on the meaning of “No child is foreign to us” initiative and the need for acting with respect for all human beings.

The whole initiative was linked with the city’s participation in the Intercultural Cities programme and “ALDA: European Association of Local Democracy” network, as well as with UNITED network and the implementation of “ARRIVAL CITIES” URBACT III European project.

Patras will continue working for the benefit of democracy, equality, human rights, solidarity, inclusive society being a trustful partner for all those wishing to act for this regard.

Partners: Municipality of Patras, UNHCR, Municipal Enterprise for Planning & Development (ADEP SA), Municipal Cultural Organization, Park of Educational Activities, Centre of Creative Occupation of Elderly people, Drama school of Municipal & Regional Theatre (DYPETHE), University of Patras, Directorate of Antiquities of Achaia, Directorate of Secondary Education of Achaia ( Dpt. of Cultural Projects and Dpt. of Health), Directorate of Elementary Education of Achaia (Dpt. of Cultural Projects and Dpt. of Health), Greek Network of Theatre within Education, Migrants Associations (Communities of Albania, Romania, Russia, UNIONLATINA), Institute of Intercultural Relations, Local Patras Department of Greek Guiding Association, Cultural Association of Ayia and Terpsithea districts of Patras, IDIFOS Photograohy Club of Patras, MERIMNA (Healing education centre for disabled children), MAHITES (Association of parents for education, vocational training and restitution of people with medical retardation), KOMETHO (Municipal centre for creative occupation of disabled people), Music scheme “DreamRoads”, IASON sailing group and IOP-Sailing Group of Patras.

For more info: Chrissa GERAGA / Patras ICC local Coordinator / [email protected], tel: +30-2610-361743)