Thessaloniki Open Day returns on November 23-24, bringing the city’s architecture to life with more than 70 open buildings and a variety of side events. This year, the festival focuses on “accessibility and inclusion,” promoting architecture that is welcoming, functional and open to all. Through free guided tours led by dedicated volunteers, visitors will have the opportunity to explore Thessaloniki’s rich architectural heritage and the contemporary designs that shape the city’s landscape today.

Extending beyond the main weekend, the festival begins a week in advance with a series of exciting events. One of the highlights is Made in Thessaloniki, a program that allows visitors to experience local crafts up close, with artisans and makers sharing their production techniques, including traditional skills and modern innovations. Another key event, Open Walk, will guide participants through the unique architecture and historical layers of Thessaloniki Port, providing insight into one of the city’s most important neighborhoods. The Open School also returns this year, offering students the opportunity to discover the city’s architecture through specially organized tours on November 18 and 22.

As part of the Open House Europe 2024 program, which focuses on accessibility and inclusion, one of the main goals of Open House Thessaloniki this year is to create a festival that everyone can enjoy. Open House Thessaloniki has introduced a filter on the website and special signage to allow visitors to easily identify accessible buildings in the program. The selected visits will be broadcast live on social networks to bring the experience to an even wider audience. In collaboration with Mind the Map, tactile maps and a 3D model will be available during the Open Walk at the port, designed to improve the experience of visually impaired visitors. Tours in English will also be offered, making the event more accessible to international visitors and people from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Two exhibitions will complete the program. The first, “Building Futures Together”, is a traveling exhibition from Open House Europe, showcasing visual stories – the creative perspectives of visitors to Open House festivals in 12 cities, focusing on sustainability and architecture. The second exhibition, “Vorbitten Tape” by Alexandros Kapetanou, takes a new look at symbols of exclusion in public spaces, using familiar red and white tape to create new forms that challenge boundaries in the urban environment.

In keeping with the participatory spirit of Thessaloniki Open Days, this year’s event invites everyone to get involved through interactive competitions, including the popular Open Photo on Instagram and Open Your Map, where visitors can Collect stamps across the city to create a unique souvenir of the weekend. .
With a program designed to explore how accessibility and inclusion can shape the built environment, Open House Thessaloniki 2024 promises an inspiring experience for all. For the full program and latest event updates, visit openhousethessaloniki.gr.

Open House Thessaloniki, organized by Open House Greece, is part of the Open House Europe cooperation project, co-financed by the European Union. The project seeks to embrace a more inclusive debate on architecture and strengthen the role of architecture as an agent of positive change, responding to relevant social and environmental challenges. For more information on the project, visit openhouseeurope.org.

• Title

  Open Day Thessaloniki 2024

• Type

  Festival / Biennale

• Organizers

• From

  November 23, 2024 9:00 a.m.

• Until

  November 24, 2024 8:00 p.m.

• Place

  Thessaloniki, Greece

• Address