May 2019 & November 2019
Interdisciplinary conferences in Ioannina and Athens addressed cultural heritage documentation and community collaboration. In June 2020, Athens hosted a final event where local audiences viewed artworks and discussed Dark Vein with the artists.
2023
In Athens, as part of ECHO III – For Memory’s Sake, the team conducted ethnographic research in Epirus focusing on arranged marriages. The interviews gathered from this research served as the script for a theatrical play, which was performed in February 2023. This artistic exploration brought the voices and stories of those affected by arranged marriages to the stage, highlighting cultural narratives and personal experiences.
June – July 2023
The ECHO Academies Comics Academy in Athens gathered ten artists from Greece, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Serbia. Over three weeks, participants explored the heritage of Karagiozis, a beloved figure in Greek shadow puppetry known for his humorous and clever antics that reflect societal themes and cultural narratives. This exploration inspired the creation of original comic stories and pilot projects.The residency culminated in an awards ceremony on July 1 at Impact Hub, showcasing the artists’ creative works and fostering public engagement with contemporary comics.
