Green Mobility, Greece, Kallithea, 26 March 2026
- Tessy Melidi
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
On March 26, 2026, The Municipality of Kallithea organized a high level local event at the National Library of Greece, bringing together the established institution of the Student Festival and the European project Active Cities – Green Cities.
The event opened with official greetings from the Mayor of Kallithea, Mr. Kostas Askounis, the Deputy Mayor, Mr. Giannis Emirzas, and the Director of the National Library of Greece, Ms. Chrysa Nikolaou.
Special Advisor Mr. Manolis Karakostas delivered a keynote presentation titled "Green Mobility as a Means of Spreading Culture," emphasizing how sustainable transport like walking and cycling allows citizens to interact more deeply with historical monuments and urban life. He noted that by reducing car traffic, cultural sites and theaters become more welcoming to youth and vulnerable groups. Highlighting local progress, he mentioned that the municipality now operates 56 shared electric bikes across eight stations. Furthermore, Kallithea’s partnership in the "Green Intelligent Districts" (GRID) project utilizes smart technology to create "green routes" that connect history, environment, and culture.
Following this, Ms. Marouso Stella, Deputy Head of Programming and Planning, presented the festival’s role in shaping "Green Education". She explained how the festival transforms theoretical environmental concepts into lived experiences through workshops on safe walking and urban design simulations. By placing youth in active roles, the program encourages students to become ambassadors for green practices within their families and neighborhoods. Future actions proposed during the presentation include student-led "Green Route Maps," symbolic "The City Belongs to Us" bike rides, and the creation of a school "Green Mobility Pact". Additionally, the festival promotes active citizenship by allowing students to role-play as mayors or urban planners to learn how sustainability links to democratic decision-making.
A central feature of the event was a Poetry Evening organized by the festival committee, where students recited original works—such as "Dream City" by Nikos Vlachos—to express their ecological concerns and visions for the future. These recitations were accompanied by students from the "Odysseas Dimitriadis" Municipal Conservatory. Such public poetry serves as a vital bridge, connecting environmental duty with shared cultural values and making ecological issues more memorable through emotional connection.
The event concluded with the awarding of participation titles to the students for their involvement in the Active Cities – Green Cities program.
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