ART FAIRS: ART THESSALONIKI 2026
The 9th edition of the Art Thessaloniki Fair is poised to reaffirm its position as the leading cultural event in Southeastern Europe, building on the strong momentum and international recognition of previous years. Scheduled from 14 to 17 May 2026 at HELEXPO, the country’s largest exhibition and congress center, the fair will once again transform pavilions 10, 9, and 8 into a dynamic platform for artistic exchange.
By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: Art Thessaloniki Archive
Situated in Thessaloniki, a city with over 2,500 years of history and a legacy as a major cultural hub of the Byzantine Empire, the fair benefits from a uniquely layered environment. Its geographical proximity to emblematic cultural landmarks such as Mount Athos, Mount Olympus, the Vergina Royal Tombs, and the Amphipolis archaeological site reinforces its role as a gateway between history and contemporary artistic production.
Honored Artist: Aspasia Papadoperaki (1942–2026)
A central highlight of this year’s edition is the tribute to Aspasia Papadoperaki, an artist whose multidisciplinary practice spanned sculpture, writing, and set design. Educated at the prestigious École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts under renowned sculptors Marcel Gilli and César Baldaccini, Papadoperaki developed a distinctive visual language rooted in archaic Greek sculpture and Aegean folk architecture.
Her artistic output ranged from intimate works to monumental public sculptures, including the full-body bronze statue of Maria Callas in Athens, as well as busts of Nikos Xylouris, Nikos Kitsikis, and Constantine P. Cavafy. Her monumental compositions—such as tributes to Philip II of Macedon and Mikis Theodorakis—reflect a deep engagement with history, identity, and collective memory.
Beyond sculpture, she contributed extensively to theater, collaborating with major cultural figures including Yannis Tsarouchis and Manos Hatzidakis. Her intellectual depth is further evidenced by her publication Studying Theotokopoulos, released by the Benaki Museum. In recognition of her lifelong contribution, she was honored by the Academy of Athens in 2009.
Her passing shortly before this year’s fair lends a commemorative dimension to the exhibition. Though she will not be present in person, her work—timeless and resonant—will stand as a central pillar of the event.
Expanding Networks and Artistic Dialogue
In 2026, the fair strengthens its international orientation through collaborations with MoBU Bucharest and the OSTEN Biennale Skopje. This initiative aims to consolidate a regional cultural network across Southeastern Europe, fostering mobility, dialogue, and cross-border artistic production.
Program Highlights
The fair maintains its multidimensional structure, integrating commercial, cultural, and educational components. Key features include:
- Participation of galleries from Greece, Europe, the United States, and Asia
- Independent artist projects, now in their fourth consecutive year
- Museum exhibitions and significant private collections
- Collaborations with international institutions
- Performance and video art presentations
MATAROA Awards: Supporting Emerging Talent
A cornerstone initiative remains the MATAROA Awards, organized in partnership with the Cultural Society of Entrepreneurs of Northern Greece (PEEBE). Now in its sixth year, the program supports artists under 33 by offering ten selected participants free exhibition booths and the opportunity to compete for cash prizes determined through public voting. The initiative continues to function as a critical platform for emerging voices within the Greek art ecosystem.
Vana Xenou: A Philosophical Exploration of Memory and Myth
A significant intellectual and artistic presence within this year’s fair is Vana Xenou, whose decades-long engagement with the Eleusinian Mysteries informs a body of work that is both research-driven and metaphysically charged. Her practice explores the notion of the “eternal return,” drawing on philosophy, psychoanalysis, and myth.
Her 2023 project, “Mystery 15. The Open Museum”, presented in Eleusis during its tenure as European Capital of Culture 2023, exemplifies her approach. Through monumental installations, Xenou constructs immersive environments that bridge past and future, sacred and profane, life and rebirth. Influenced by thinkers such as Aby Warburg, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Karl Kerényi, and Mircea Eliade, her work operates at the intersection of memory, myth, and ontology.
Opi Zouni Awards
The fair also continues the “Opi Zouni Awards,” established in memory of Opi Zouni, a defining figure in geometric abstraction and constructivism. For the second consecutive year, three independent artists will each receive a €2,000 prize, reinforcing the fair’s commitment to supporting innovative contemporary practices.
Art Thessaloniki Fair offers a fully integrated exhibition environment, including VIP lounges, a press office, an art shop, dining areas, lecture and screening rooms, and comprehensive logistical support. Visitors and participants benefit from free parking, Wi-Fi, 24-hour security, and full insurance coverage for exhibited works. With its expanded international collaborations, intellectually rich programming, and tribute to a major artistic legacy, the 9th Art Thessaloniki Fair continues to function as a critical nexus for contemporary art in Southeastern Europe—where history, innovation, and cultural dialogue converge.
Photo: Vania Xenou at Work
Info: Art Thessaloniki International Contemporary Fair, Thessaloniki International Exhibition and Conference Center, Egnatias 145, Thessaloniki, Greece, Duration: 14-17/5/2026, Days & Hours: Thu 16:00-22:00, Fri 14:00-21:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-21:00, www.art-thessaloniki.gr/
