Peripheral Cultural Vitality: Community Engagement Through Art Festivals in Non-Touristic Greek Regions

Abstract

In recent years, Greece’s cultural image in the global tourism market has largely been shaped by mass tourism and homogenized portrayals of ancient heritage. This paper explores the counter-narrative offered by two distinctive art festivals in non-metropolitan and non-touristic regions: the Thessalian Poetry Festival and DEO Projects’ contemporary art exhibitions in Chios.

The Thessalian Poetry Festival, established in 2013, has fostered a sustained literary community across multiple cities in Thessaly. By combining international participation with strong regional collaboration, it enhances local cultural infrastructure, provides visibility to emerging Greek poets, and democratizes access to poetry in areas with limited cultural offerings.

In Chios, DEO Projects has redefined the island’s engagement with contemporary art. By activating public spaces and historical monuments, exhibitions such as My Dreams Were Dashed Against Your Walls and My Past is a Foreign Country have created platforms for dialogue, healing, and memory, while actively involving residents through oral histories, public workshops, and collaborative events.

Both festivals demonstrate that artistic initiatives outside tourism hotspots can promote sustainable cultural development, strengthen local identities, and foster inclusive participation. These festivals not only counterbalance the centralization of Greek cultural life but also offer replicable models for regional cultural policy.