Capital of Greece’s Western region, Patras is also the principal port looking towards the Ionian islands and Italy.

Founded in the 3rd millennium BC, Patras flourished during the Mycenaean and especially the Roman periods, up until the 9th century AD. From the 13th century, it belonged to the Franks, to the Byzantines, to the Venetians and at other times, to the Turks.

Patras developed rapidly after liberation from the Turks in 1821, and thanks to the increasing commerce it enjoyed as a port city. Everywhere beautiful neo-classical buildings still embellish this city whose roads lead to the sea, making a strong and picturesque impression. Artistic and spiritual life remains very intense today. Gradually, heavy industry has also developed, increasing the population. Today, Patras is one of the most influential cities in Greece, with its port continuing to play the important role it has always held throughout its long history.

City status
Population diversity
Patras is a city in Greece. It has a population of 222,460. The majority group makes up 90% of the city’s inhabitants. The ethnic composition of Greece foreign population in descending order comprises: 64.91% Albanians; 6.53% Bulgarians; 4.52% Romanian; and 3.17% Pakistani. 65% of the city's total population are foreign-born.
Profile and activities
Intercultural Cities Index
Good practice

Back “No child is foreign!”

Cultivating anti-racism behaviours and tackling stereotypes

Respecting the principles of anti-racism and equality, a synergy scheme was initiated by the Municipality of Patras consisting of twenty nine local stakeholders who co-organised  several mixed cultural events (dance-theatre-music-poetry-games) delivered positive messages on humanity and inclusiveness.

Schools of elementary and secondary education as well as civil society representatives exploited theatre and dance and made remarkable performances at the premises of “Park of Educational Activities” and at the main square at Patras city centre. Projects such as “Dance units, holds in and consoles”, “Monologues from Aegean sea”, “We welcome spring and diversity along with disabled people” touched the hearts of all and attracted the audience.

The playgrounds of schools remained open at non-working hours for games such as “Many colors, One game!” and the messages of solidarity, friendship, human rights spread out in the spring air …

Migrant associations presented information about the culture and heritage of their origins through the active involvement of youth paving the way ahead.

Language as a means of expression through narration, music and theatre revealed traditions linked with Russia, Latin America, Romania and Albania.

Regional sailing clubs were activated, organizing symbolic sea contest that took place at the coastal line in Patras port!

Taking into account 21st March being the International Day of Poetry, a combination was achieved i.e. a workshop was dedicated to creative writing (poems) by pupils, emphasizing on exhibits of “Patras Archeological Museum” revealing the meanings of positive inspiration, friendship and hope. A pupil of the school of the St.Stefan prison of Patras sent also a poem of his own. Being a prisoner himself was not allowed to be at the venue but the prison school was represented through the administrators and the poem was recorded (the prisoner pronouncing it). Poems touched the hearts of all and the musical event that followed embraced the whole effort.

The impact of the action will undergo an evaluation process by the partners involved.

The action was implemented thanks to a partnership among:

Municipality of Patras, UNHCR, Patras Municipal Enterprise for Planning & Development (ADEP SA), Patras Municipal Cultural Organization, Park of Educational Activities of the city of Patras, Centre of Creative Occupation of Elderly people of city of Patras, Drama school of Municipal & Regional Theatre of Patras (DYPETHE), University of Patras, Directorate of Antiquities of Achaia, Directorate of Secondary Education of Achaia Prefecture / Dpt. of Cultural Projects, Directorate of Secondary Education of Achaia Prefecture / Dpt. of Health projects, Directorate of Elementary Education of Achaia Prefecture / Dpt. of Cultural Projects, Directorate of Elementary Education of Achaia Prefecture / Dpt. of Health Projects, Greek Network of Theatre within Education, Association of Albanian Community of Patras EMIGRANTI, Association of Russian Community of Patras, Institute of Intercultural Relations, Association of Romanian Community of Patras, UNIONLATINA Association of Patras, 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, MAHYTES 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, Sailing Group of Patras (IOP).

Besides ICC, the effort was also linked with UNITED, “ALDA: European Association of Local Democracy” and ARRIVAL CITIES / URBACT III European project.

For more information

February - March 2017
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mayor

Kostas PELETEDIS

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