FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
National Network
Greece
Address
86, Leoforos Chiou-KarfaCountry
City
ChiosProvince
Voreio AigaioMobile Phone
+306937077414Telephone
0030 6984280004Telephone (other)
0030 6977205988Website
Click HereYear of Establishment
2023Contact Person1
Maria ZannikouJob Title 1
Production manager, psychologist and theatre practitionerContact Person 2
Marousa MammaJob Title 2
Finance, tourism entrepreneur and theatre producerOrganisation Type
Non-Governmental OrganizationFields of Activity
Arts, Democracy and community development, Heritage, Youth and educationGeneral Information
The nonprofit company MNM is coordinated by its founding members, Maria Zannikou, Nausika Saliari, and Marousa Mamma, who bring together diverse experience in cultural management, artistic direction, and community engagement. The core team is supported by a network of collaborators, including artists, facilitators, researchers, and technicians, as well as local volunteers who contribute to the implementation of activities. The organisation’s annual budget varies depending on the scope of its activities, which include exhibitions, festivals, and educational programmes. Financial resources are drawn from public support provided by local authorities, private sponsorships and donations, as well as partnerships with universities and cultural institutions.
Maria Zannikou, psychologist and theatre practitioner; Nausika Saliari, architect, visual artist, and scenographer; and Marousa Mamma, tourism entrepreneur and theatre producer, co-founded the non-profit MNM in 2022. Together, they organize and produce scientific and cultural events, managing artistic curation, production, and finances, with successful projects like #ekipouzo22 and #ekipouzo23 in Chios.
Mission and Objectives
The vision and need to integrate art into society, empowering local communities and strengthening the island’s cultural, social, and natural capital, led to the creation of MNM.
Through #ekipouzo, we aim to:
Use art to transform spaces into places of vitality and energy.
Bring meaningful interaction between art and community.
Create an immersive experience for both the artist and the visitor.
Main Projects / Activities
A central pillar of MNM’s activity is the organisation of the annual #ekipouzo Festival in Chios. The 2023 edition brought together more than 45 artists from Greece and abroad in exhibitions, performances, and documentary screenings, inviting them to create works inspired by the island’s cultural identity and maritime history. Through this process, #ekipouzo has become a platform for creative exchange and community engagement, connecting art with the local environment and heritage.
In 2024, the festival returned under the title #ekipouzo24 – “In the North Wind”, drawing inspiration from the island’s maritime tradition, its people, and their deep relationship with the sea. More than 50 artists from visual, narrative, and performing arts participated in a collective, experiential process that led to new artworks and performances. These were presented to the public in emblematic spaces linked to seafaring—the Chios Merchant Marine Academy (School of Engineering) and the historic “Kostalas” building—in December 2024, offering audiences an immersive and interactive artistic experience.
A key feature of the 2024 edition was the creation of the documentary “In the North Wind” by directors Andreas Apessos, Giannis Zafeiris, and Giorgos Pavlidakis. The film explores the allure of Chios’ seafaring life and the people connected to it, leaving behind a cultural and historical legacy for the island. Screenings were open to the public at the Merchant Marine Academy auditorium, further broadening the festival’s educational and community dimension.
Complementing the festival, MNM also organises the initiative ανυπΟγραφα (Unsigned), a collective exhibition of painting and photography. In 2024, more than 70 artists from Chios and beyond presented black-and-white works anonymously, each offered at a fixed price of €90. By concealing the identity of the creators, the exhibition challenges visitors to engage with the artwork itself while promoting equality of opportunity in art. The exhibition inaugurated the reopening of the Kostalas building in July 2024, welcoming artists and the public into a historic space revived through culture.
Through initiatives like #ekipouzo and ανυπΟγραφα, MNM actively creates opportunities for artistic expression, cultural participation, and community engagement, staying true to its vision of fostering dialogue between art, people, and place.
How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
MNM can contribute to the Network in Greece by sharing its experience in community-based cultural programmes and art initiatives that focus both on cultural heritage and contemporary creation. Through initiatives such as #ekipouzo and ανυπΟγραφα, MNM engages artists, communities, and emblematic buildings and spaces, creating opportunities for collaboration and artistic exchange.
MNM is committed to actively participating in the actions organised by the Network. By hosting events, promoting international artistic collaborations, and disseminating outcomes through public and digital platforms, MNM can enhance the Network’s visibility in Greece and strengthen connections among its members.
Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
MNM wishes to join the Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF) Network to strengthen its engagement with intercultural dialogue and collaboration across the Euro-Mediterranean region. By joining the Network, MNM can exchange best practices, develop joint projects, and connect with like-minded organisations that share its vision of promoting art, culture, and community engagement.
Participation in the ALF Network would allow MNM to extend the reach of its initiatives, such as #ekipouzo and ανυπΟγραφα, to a wider audience, fostering cross-border artistic collaboration, knowledge exchange, and cultural understanding. Being part of this Network also offers opportunities to learn from peers, access training and capacity-building activities, and contribute to shared objectives that advance cultural cooperation and inclusion.