COMICS ACADEMY:
Gus Moystad
Gus’s testimony
“While learning about the character and tradition in Athens, I was also fascinated by the dependence on violence as the central method of resolving conflicts, so much so that the puppet of Karagiozis is designed with an elongated arm to allow the puppeteer more ease in slapping other puppets. Initially I perceived this as comical, but there was something dark about this centrality of violence, for which the elongated arm stood as a symbol.”
Ralitsa Aleksieva
Rali’s testimony
“My short story “From a Secret Admirer” shows the perspective of a visitor in the unique Athenian neighbourhood of Exarcheia. For me the colourful and chaotic atmosphere of this community is what made me consider making my comic about it. I was also inspired by the figures of the earliest years of Karagiozis for the visuals of the narrator that passes from page to page.“
Evi Magavetsos
Evi’s testimony
“Starting from this visual and meaningful coexistence, the story is a personal interpretation of a series of current issues: the continuous shrinking of living space in the urban landscape (along with the inability to maintain a satisfactory standard of living), mental health problems (especially challenges for people who, while suffering from extreme social stress, at the same time have to deal with isolation and soul-crushing routine) and animal abuse (focusing on the abandonment and neglect of elderly and sick/disabled pets).”
FASHION ACADEMY:
Yllka Haxhiu
Yllka’s testimony
“I was most provoked and inspired by the details in the Rhodope costumes, as well as by their colors, to create the sketches with which I participated in our project.”
Jose Marie Sta Iglesia
Jose Marie’s testimony
“My name is Jose Marie. I am originally from the Philippines but immigrated to The Netherlands. Coming from a tropical island, I see life in a different way, which often clashes with my European life. I try to balance the values of my Filipino upbringing and my European way of living. I have a deep admiration for people who work with their hands, like the fisherman who meticulously handles his net or the farmer and his intimate relationship with his water buffalo. Local folks, such as fishermen and farmers, live romantic yet vulnerable lives in society. Their way of life can easily be jeopardized. I remember walking the streets of the Philippines and seeing how vulnerable these people are. Yet, they live and celebrate their lives with what I call “Romantic Vulnerability.” I am also fascinated by how we, as humans, create and display beauty.”
Yordan Mihalev
Yordan’s testimony
“I expect the designs I present to the viewer to represent the unique Balkan experience of sacrificing individuality for the greater good. They explore the conflict between being an individual and serving one’s kin in the most traditional way—fulfilling familial duties and securing the successful continuation of the family name. For this collection, I chose black as the primary color, focusing on its nuances. The way a single black material reflects light creates a compelling visual. It invites viewers to get close enough to observe how the materials interact on the pieces. This intimacy mirrors the closeness that binds you within the traditional role of heir.”
FINE ARTS ACADEMY:
Oleksandra Khalepa
Oleksandra’s small bio
Oleksandra is the founder of the NGO “Carbon Art Residency” and a curator of the digital artists’ community. She has organized and coordinated over 250 events focused on revitalizing four locations in Kyiv.She is passionate about creating interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of urban research, digital art, and architecture.
Jacopo Brunello
Jacopo’s small bio
Jacopo Brunello (born 1995) lives and works in Schio (IT). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in visual arts from the Venice Academy of Fine Arts and a Master’s in photography from IUAV University of Venice. In 2020, he participated in a one-year artist residency in Treviso (IT) at Fabrica, Benetton’s communication research center. In 2022, he undertook residencies in Rome and Sicily, developing photographic series centered around the local territories. In 2023, he won the ECHO (European Cultural Heritage Onstage) Academies grant, which included an artist residency in Budapest (HU) and one year of support to carry out a photographic project focusing on the industrial archaeology and historical heritage of his hometown, Schio. In 2024, hECTIC bOOKs will launch his first photobook published by a publishing house.
Diogo Pereira
Diogo’s small bio
“Threaded in heritage, territory, and matter, Diogo Pereira’s current practice explores the substratum of the textile industry. He develops speculative archaeological research based on a method of experimental decomposition through audiovisual media and contextual installations.”
Music Academy
Emil Ejupi
Emil’s short bio
Emil Ejupi is a musician currently completing his final year at the Music Academy at Goce Delchev University in Stip. With a deep-rooted passion for music, Emil has built a strong foundation in classical harmony and performance. He is a four-time second-place winner of the National Classical Music Harmony Competition (2016-2019) and a dedicated participant in the National Accordion Competition, which he attended for three consecutive years. Emil has performed at prominent music events, including the Jazz Factory Festival in Bitola and the Excess Festival in Strumica, and has played at over fourteen high school and university concerts. Additionally, he frequently collaborates with multiple bands for music events, showcasing his versatility as a performer. A multi-instrumentalist, Emil is proficient in bass guitar, guitar, piano, accordion, and percussion.
Nikola Andrejić
Nikola’s short bio
Born in 2002, Nikola Andrejić is a digital artist with a background in media and communication, having studied at the Faculty of Media and Communication (FMK). With a strong focus on design, Nikola has gained valuable experience in creating brand and marketing materials, working on a variety of projects.
Carlos Hurtado Múnera
Carlos Hurtado’s short bio
Carlos is an experimental filmmaker and media artist from Bogotá, Colombia, focusing on independent and alternative audiovisual projects, particularly in the realm of hybrid media. With a keen interest in the digital image as a revolutionary tool, his work delves into understanding the sociocultural and biological shifts brought about by new technologies.His films have received selections and awards at numerous festivals, highlighting their growing impact on the film industry. Notably, he was awarded the Radiónica Youth Award at the Bogotá International Film Festival in 2021 and served as a jury member for the NEST category at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in 2022. Currently, Carlos is committed to developing new films and expanding into projects that explore the possibilities of Expanded Realities.