Milan meets the New Greece: the idea

As the economic world balances change, the art flows follow. MilanoIncontraLaGrecia is one of the first attempts to export the new Greek culture abroad. Myrto Rogan, one of the most representative examples of the upcoming Hellenic managerial class, tells us the love story of an arts manager with her project.

When someone says “Greece” what is the first thing that comes in your mind? Some may say “the Acropolis!”, or “the sea n’ the islands!”, or “the moussàka!”, or else “the syrtaki! taratatataratata…”. So it will usually be either the glorious past, or the folklore stereotypes. But still, Greece is a country that continuously develops, especially after the 2004 Olympic Games’ big moment, whereas Greeks are all over the world, studying or working. It is those Greeks who, after a short or long stay abroad, return to their native country enriched with ideas and experiences to introduce to the very receptive contemporary Greek society.

I could say that I am one of those Greeks, who started learning foreign languages very young, who went to study abroad, who find meeting people of different culture and language so stimulating and enriching, and who cannot stand watching dubbed films! And who would love to see the art produced in this small country spread around the world in the same way as her people. I often hear people say: “OMG, those Greeks are everywhere!”… Well, yes, we are everywhere but no-one knows what is currently being produced and created in Greece or by Greeks.

So that’s how it all got started: the strong belief that Greek contemporary art can be proudly presented abroad and with international standards but finds no support by the Greek State and public institutions, led us to the idea of a Festival which would include all forms of art and would be representative of what is “going on” today in Greece. Young emerging artists but also more established ones; performing arts but also visual arts, conferences and workshops; the Greek roots and origins but also contemporary Greece inserted in the world of today.

Naturally, the idea was born on a sandy Aegean beach during summer. But it then got materialized in the most international city of Italy, Milan, in the circular space of the Studio – Teatro Piccolo of Milan, on September 2007. The General Consulate of Greece in Milan gave us its blessing and support. And people responded to our call

To be continued…

Myrto Rogan