22nd Thessaloniki International Book Fair | Presentation of printed study “Senses in Dialogue”
Friday 08 May 2026 | Presentation & Panel discussion | Thessaloniki
The presentation of the printed study “Senses in Dialogue: A Participatory Accessibility Approach to the IMMA Collection” was successfully held on Friday, May 8, as part of the 22nd Thessaloniki International Book Fair. The study was implemented by the Foundation of the Museum for the Macedonian Struggle and Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA) in collaboration with Off Stream, with the support and under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Directorate of Modern Cultural Heritage. The presentation highlighted the importance of accessibility and inclusion in culture, not as fragmented practice, but as an ongoing, collective and meaningful process of change. Through the speakers’ contributions, the value of “togetherness,” active listening and the participation of people with disabilities themselves in shaping the museum of the future was strongly emphasised.
Particular emphasis was placed on the experiences and needs of people with sensory impairments, as well as on the profound shift in perspective that a truly participatory process can bring. As highlighted during the discussion, accessibility is not limited to technical interventions, but also concerns relationships of trust, empathy, equal participation and a new understanding of the museum as a space open to everyone. At the same time, IMMA presented its immediate next goals in this direction, including staff training, the development of a concrete accessibility strategy, the strengthening of collaboration with disability communities and the implementation of a sustainable long-term intervention plan.
Special thanks
Special thanks were extended to the moderator of the discussion, Maria Vlachou, to the speakers Athina Pavlidou, Stavroula Mavrogeni, Chara Kanari, Christina Vlachou, Stella Anastasaki, Eleni Mavridou and Fani Tsikoura for their valuable presentations, experiences and reflections shared with the audience, as well as to the other members of the project team. The event was honoured by the presence of the Deputy Regional Governor for Culture, Mr. Christos Mitas, the Director of the War Museum, Colonel Papathanasiou, the Head of the YMCA Basketball Museum, Ms. Eleftheria Theodoroudi, as well as representatives of institutions and organisations, academics, students, journalists and many interested citizens. We warmly thank everyone who attended and contributed to a fruitful dialogue on a more open, accessible and inclusive culture.
The digital version of the Study is openly accessible to everyone through the IMMA website, in the dedicated Accessibility section:
Watch the panel discussion
Video Credits: Gregory Grigoras
