EASA meets in Elefsina
Some 400 architecture students from 46 countries, in the company of artists and architects, will gather in Elefsina from July 22 to August 5 for 15 days of workshops, exhibitions, lectures and inspiration. Elefsina was chosen to host this year’s EASA (European Architecture Students Assembly), founded 27 years ago as a European network of young architects with the aim of investigating contemporary architecture, urbanism and technology. At EASA 2005, held in Brighton in the UK, Elefsina was the Greek choice for this year’s Assembly and the city which attracted the greatest interest among rival proposals from 40 countries. This year Elefsina will be the Europe-wide meeting place for participants, as well as city residents and members of the public interested in taking part. The meeting will be held with the support of the National Technical University of Athens and the Municipality of Elefsina. In the rich variety of events centered around the theme put forth by the host city, Elefsina will be discussed as a city in transition and in search of a new identity, with a rich industrial heritage. The theme is in itself a platform for ideas for the meetings which have «city-index» as a theme. EASA 2007’s specific goal will be to explore the complexity of the urban environment and decode Elefsina’s contemporary image. The events begin on July 23 with lectures and debates around the theme ‘Elefsina: 3-layered city,’ a topic focusing on both the historical and contemporary identity of the city. An exhibit is planned for July 24 that will concentrate on the problems and solutions of young Greek architects. The exhibit aims «to serve as a map which will connect and provide a synopsis for the different trends and conceptions of contemporary Greek architecture.» Lectures on the «city-index» theme will follow later in the day. On July 28 the events will focus on «the city and new technologies.» Support for the events comes from the Greek Architecture Institute and the Architectural Union. For more information, visit www.easa007.gr.
