What I can see

The building of the Society for Macedonian Studies is the work of architect Vassilios Cassandras, who wanted to build a modern building on the one hand, which would blend on the other into the Byzantine character of the city. Thus, the strict building volume is tempered by its curved façade, which is in harmony with the neighbouring White Tower. Cassandras implemented a modernised classicism in the theatre, which was considered a conservative approach in an era dominated by modernist positivism. The building also houses the gallery of the society, the main stage of the State Theatre of Northern Greece, the ‘Aristoteleion’ movie theatre, the public TV channel of the city of Thessaloniki and a library with over 70,000 titles and more than 5,000 researchers visiting from around the world annually. In front the impressive entrance of the theatre is an interesting exhibition of theatrical costumes.

What I can't see

The Society for Macedonian Studies was initially housed at the YMCA. Its aim was and still is to advance the cultural development in northern Greece, the preservation and dissemination of Macedonian culture, focusing on the promotion of the Greek elements and history in Macedonia, based on archival research and other scientific documents. The space housed the Thessaloniki Film Festival for over 20 years. The first performance taking place on the main stage of the STNG was “Sibyl” by Angelos Sikelianos. The entire elite of the Greek theatre scene (Katrakis, Merkouri Diamantidou etc.) have performed on this stage. Formerly the second balcony of the theatre used to be a space visited by adolescences, who established a rite to hiss the director from up there, regardless of how famous he may have been. The space frequently hosts musical performances and concerts.

Info

• Address: 4 Ethnikis Amynis St.
• Postal Code : 54621
• Phone: +30 2310 271195
• Website: http://www.ems.gr/

Bibliography