Athens, 14 December 2020

Collaboration between Hellenic Parliament and NEON organisation for Cultural Programme of Contemporary Art 2021 at former Public Tobacco Factory – Hellenic Parliament Library and Printing House

The Hellenic Parliament and the NEON Culture and Development Organisation are collaborating for the implementation of the 2021 Cultural Programme of Contemporary Art, which will take place at the former Public Tobacco Factory – Hellenic Parliament Library and Printing House, at 218 Lenorman Street, from June to December 2021. 

Today, in the Senate Hall of the Hellenic Parliament, the President of the Parliament Mr. Constantine Tassoulas, the founder of NEON Mr. Dimitris Daskalopoulos and the director of the organisation Mrs. Elina Kountouris presented the spirit, content and goals of this collaboration. 

It is taking place in the context of events celebrating the bicentennial and also during a pandemic which is affecting societies globally and putting the functioning of states and institutions to the test. In this light, the two bodies have come together to highlight, at national and international level, the dynamics of democratic institutions before the challenges of today's social reality through the dimension of contemporary artistic creation. 

The Tobacco Factory, a historic site, a symbol of the country’s industrialization and progress, emerges as a modern cultural hub and is the ideal "stage" for the development of new artistic ideas with reference to historical landmarks, social change, the concept of freedom, the new state of humanity, in an ever-changing world due to modern challenges and global threats. 

In the framework of this collaboration, NEON is funding the remodelling of the Tobacco Factory, creating a new, promising and emblematic cultural space, of high aesthetic and functional value. 

The Tobacco Factory on Lenorman street, the second public Tobacco Factory in Athens, was built by the Greek state. Construction began in 1928 and it launched production in 1930. It's a 19.000 sq. m space which housed various tobacco factories, cutting and packaging factories, cigarette and cigar producing factories and also warehouses, customs offices, canteens for the workforce, as well as a house for the building's guard. At times, parts of the building served other purposes. They were used as prisons, refugee shelters and in the second half of the 20th century they hosted services such as the Court of Auditors, the Prime Minister's offices, the Finance Ministry. In 1989 the Ministry for Culture listed the Public Tobacco Factory as a historic monument along with its machinery. In 200o the building passed on in its entirety to the Hellenic Parliament. In 2008 the restoration of the facades was completed and in 2016 so was the restoration of the atrium's metal roof. Today a part of it houses the Library and the Printing House of the Parliament.  

Part of this historic building (the ground-level north-northwest wing, the atrium and the building of the former Customs Office) is being upgraded to improve its infrastructure and function. The work is conducted by NEON and it has been defined and approved by the Parliament's Technical Services and the competent departments. In particular, in addition to general construction work cleaning, dismantling of fragile elements, repair, renovation and painting, the above-described spaces are being equipped with modern infrastructures. The electricity network is being expanded, the water supply and sewerage network are being restored, the fire detection and extinguishing mechanisms are being enhanced, lighting appropriate for exhibitions is being installed, as well as a comprehensive wi-fi network for the public and visitors, A/C units are being updated, the security network is being expanded and accessibility to more spaces is ensured for persons with disabilities. At the same time, the bathrooms are being renovated for visitors and auxiliary reception and staff areas are being activated. All of the above equipment will remain as a donation to the building.

The cost of remodeling will amount to ca. 1 million euros and is being funded exclusively by NEON and its founder Mr. Dimitris Daskalopoulos. 

 In the framework of the Contemporary Art Cultural Programme 2021, the refurbished space of the former Public Tobacco Factory – Hellenic Parliament Library and Printing House will be showcased as a prestigious modern, cultural and social space, open to all, and it will become a dynamic centre for meetings and idea exchanges.

From June to December 2021 it will host the “Portals” contemporary art exhibition, organized by NEON and curated by Mrs. Elina Kountouri, NEON Director and Mrs. Madeleine Grynsztejn, Pritzker Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

Using the anniversary year 2021 as a springboard, “Portals” will develop messages, ideas and concerns around the new reality that is shaped through revolution and reversal. A total of 40 artists from Greece and abroad – including newly commissioned works – will explore this different reality through themes such as Movement, the Communal, Connection and Home. 

“Portals” will include programmes regarding the Tobacco Factory building and its history, which will be developed in cooperation with the Parliament's services. Furthermore, there will be discussions and educational programmes, while an internet “portal” will also be active during the material presentation. 
The full programme of the exhibition will be presented in the upcoming months by the curators. 

Today's event in the Senate Hall of the Hellenic Parliament will be broadcast by Hellenic Parliament TV on 16 December 2020 at 19:00. 

Video of the event also available here 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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