Opening of the solo exhibition by Stelios Mavromatis

"Meeting Point", by the Chairman of OSE, Mr Giorgos Ioannou

The solo exhibition by Stelios Mavromatis, Meeting Point, presented in a hall of the central Railway Station of Thessaloniki, was inaugurated on Sunday 7 September by the Chairman of OSE, Mr Giorgos Ioannou. In his address he spoke about the artist's work, while also highlighting the efforts being made to modernise the Hellenic Railways.

In more detail, Mr Ioannou stated, among other things:

"The railway is not merely a means of transport; it is an experience, it is emotion, it is a journey that carries people's stories, memories of past eras and also hopes for tomorrow. It is not only part of the past; it is present and future, contributing to the social and economic development of the country. At OSE we work every day to modernise the railway network. We are carrying out works that upgrade the infrastructure, strengthen safety, reduce journey times and bring cities and regions closer together. Our aim is a railway that is reliable, safe, more environmentally friendly than any other mode, and equal to the needs of society. This exhibition reminds us that the train is not only an element of our history but also a tool for the future. The railway is a link for society and a link for the economy as well. It carries people, ideas and goods, while at the same time strengthening the regional development of the country."

The curator of the exhibition, Eleni Riga, spoke about the conception of the exhibition and the artistic work: "The title Meeting Point is not accidental. The exhibition is built on the recurring 'chi' symbol of Stelios Mavromatis, which dominates his works. The same symbol also determined the design of the exhibition, with the central metal structure in the shape of a chi creating a three-dimensional meeting space. The exhibition takes place in a waiting hall of the Railway Station of Thessaloniki, with the 'chi' referring organically to the notion of the meeting. For two centuries the train was a driver of development and a crossroads of cultures. It was within this context that Mavromatis was born in the 1930s and painted his first train in 1961.

The opening took place in the presence of the new Chief Executive Officer, Mr Christos Palios, and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Evangelos Christogiannis. The exhibition will run until 5 November.

A series of educational and interactive programmes will be held at the exhibition space, designed specifically for young people, using art and its many forms as a tool. The aim of these activities is not only active participation and creative expression, but also the cultivation of a new perception of the train as a modern, environmentally friendly and safe means of transport that contributes to sustainable development and the protection of the environment.