A new institution begins in the Region of Attica this September.

An idea originally conceived by the President of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), Ms. Angela Gerekou, is now taking shape through the initiative of the Region of Attica, aiming to highlight the connection between the land of Attica, its cultural identity, its agri-food products and tourism.

In this context, the Region of Attica, in cooperation with the GNTO and with the Development Organization “New Metropolitan Attica S.A.” as the implementing body, is launching the 1st Gaia Festival | New Thesmophoria, an initiative that aspires to become a modern and interactive institution. It seeks to connect Attica’s natural environment and land with its rich cultural heritage, while narrating the region’s evolution over time and its current identity as a dynamic and outward-looking metropolitan area.

With symbolic reference to the ancient festival of the Thesmophoria and the folk tradition of Polysphoria in Eleusis, the Gaia Festival of Attica | New Thesmophoria seeks to establish a meaningful “meeting ground” between the Attica land and its products. Nature, ecology, history and cultural heritage, when combined with contemporary society, can form a powerful, supra-local hub of attraction for ecological, cultural and tourism-related interest across the areas where the festival will unfold.

It is worth noting that the ancient Thesmophoria festival celebrated the fertility of both land and women, with a focus in this context on women’s cooperatives—a celebration that unites the primary and secondary sectors with culture and tourism, now becoming institutionalized through this new initiative.

More specifically, through the Festival, the Region of Attica seeks to showcase the link between Attica’s historic land and culture, its agri-food identity and tourism, emphasizing the unique characteristics of Attica’s agri-food products in relation to global trends in wellness and healthy living, as well as their integration into daily nutrition and the cultural image of Attica as a destination.

In addition, the Region of Attica aims to encourage the inclusion of agri-food products in Attica-based enterprises, while also promoting a diversified tourism product.

The Festival, scheduled to take place in September, will include a network of activities such as thematic events promoting the land and products of Attica, experiential environmental and agri-food educational actions, and events highlighting the region’s cultural wealth. Throughout the festival, a dedicated promotional and communication campaign will support the outward orientation of Attica and its products.

The Gaia Festival will feature:

• Cultural events and activities,
• Educational actions centered on the land of Attica,
• Events that promote the natural environment and metropolitan green spaces of Attica,
• Outreach and product promotion initiatives aligned with modern trends.

Explore the programme of the Gaia Festival of Attica | New Thesmophoria here

The conceptual foundation of the Gaia Festival of Attica is based on the synthesis of history and natural landscape. Culture and tourism are core elements of extroversion and recognizability, with the potential to reach a wide range of areas throughout Attica—especially through their connection with the region’s unique metropolitan green spaces, such as Pedion tou Areos, Tritsis Park, Attiko Alsos, and others. Moreover, the land of Attica and its agri-food and other products are promoted as intrinsic features of its identity—rooted in antiquity and extending into its modern, dynamic and outward-looking image.

A Collective Effort

The organization of the 1st Gaia Festival of Attica | New Thesmophoria is a multi-faceted project that the Region of Attica has undertaken to promote, coordinate, resource and implement—with the technical and strategic support of New Metropolitan Attica S.A., which also serves as the official Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) of the Region of Attica.

To harness its full potential, the Gaia Festival of Attica | New Thesmophoria is placed under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization, in order to maximize its visibility and communicative reach.

The Region of Attica plays a central role in the design, coordination and implementation of the festival. In doing so, it contributes — among other things — to its funding, the provision of strategic direction, and the alignment of the festival with the Region’s broader tourism development strategy, particularly the integration of culture and tourism with the agri-food sector.

Under the Auspices

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) supports the overall initiative of the Gaia Festival of Attica and promotes it as a significant cultural and tourism event, aimed at attracting visitors from Attica, across Greece, and internationally. The Development Organization “New Metropolitan Attica S.A.”, as beneficiary of the action and implementing body, is responsible for the organization and execution of the Gaia Festival.

Χορηγοί Επικοινωνίας

The “Festival of Gaia Attica 2023 – Neo Thesmophoria” is organized by the Development Organization New Metropolitan Attica S.A. in its role as the Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) for the Region of Attica. The initiative is spearheaded by the Region of Attica and is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).
The Festival is funded by the “Regional Development Program of the Region of Attica”.
The project is implemented within the framework of the Action “Extroversion & Promotion of Agri-Food Products of Attica at International Exhibitions” of the Operational Program “RDP Region of Attica”, as a subproject entitled “Festival of Gaia 2023” with Act Code / MIS (OPS): 5189324.