Thessaloniki seafront changes attitudes

In a very complementary article, German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung refers to Thessaloniki's renovated waterfront, noting that the city's inhabitants are re-learning their city and are falling in love with it again.

As the article mentions, through the renovation there are more than three kilometers of waterfront available for strolls, jogging, biking and a variety of other activities. The newspaper quotes architect Prodromos Nikiforidis who along with colleague Bernard Cuomo undertook the renovation project: “Thessaloniki citizens act as tourists and are rediscovering their city. We have learned to live in cities we don't love. Now, in Thessaloniki, we are given the chance to love our city again and change our lives. In a time of crisis, like today, this is very important.”

At this time the seafront is the largest public space in the city, and tens of thousands thronged to the inauguration, celebrating the renovation of their city.

The new seafront cost 35 million euros, and was co-funded by the EU. The first phase finished in 2008, just before the country's economic collapse, while the second came during the crisis.

A survey, cited by the German newspaper, showed that 75% of Greeks will forgo vacations due to lack of funds. The renovation of the city may offer the chance to see things in a brighter mood.

As Mr Nikiforidis notes: “Our aim was to create what we dreamed of, a green world. That's why we used sparse materials like wood and white marble. We wanted people to enjoy the void.”