SFF Summit 2024 Main Venues

The hosting city: Athens

Athens is the capital of Greece and the Attica region. With its urban area’s population numbering over three million, it is the eighth largest urban area in the European Union, while it is also the southernmost capital on the European mainland. As one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens is a living museum where ancient ruins coexist with modern architecture. Steeped in history and culture, the city of Athens offers a unique blend of old-world charm and contemporary allure. As the cradle of Western civilization, it boasts a rich tapestry of historical landmarks, including the iconic Acropolis and the historic Agora. These sites, along with Lycabettus Hill and the Port of Piraeus, invite visitors to explore the city’s timeless heritage and picturesque surroundings.

View of Acropolis of Athens with Parthenon and Erechtheion from Filopappou hill. Image by Constantinos Kollias. Used under Unsplash License

Image by Benno Kronemeijer. Used under Unsplash License

Yet not everything is about the glorious past! Here are some new-era Athens musts:  

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center constitutes modern architectural marvel and a prominent cultural hub located in the southern suburbs of Athens. It houses the Greek National Opera and the National Library of Greece, along with beautifully landscaped gardens and outdoor spaces for recreational activities.

Technopolis, located in Gazi, is a former gasworks complex that has been transformed into a vibrant modern cultural center. It hosts art exhibitions, music festivals, and other cultural events throughout the year.

Goulandris Museum of Modern Art, situated in the northern suburbs of Athens, features a collection of modern and contemporary art by Greek and international artists. Apart from the exhibitions, its striking architecture make it a must-visit for art enthusiasts.

But current-day Athens is also about good food and memorable nightlife! The city takes pride for its diverse neighbourhoods, each with its own unique character! From the historic district of Plaka to the trendy neighbourhoods of Psiri and Gazi, known for their vivid nightlife and contemporary art scene, Athens offers something for everyone. Visitors can immerse themselves in the city’s diverse culinary scene, sampling traditional Greek cuisine at quaint tavernas, while during after-hours the city has plenty of choices to offer!

Lights Everywhere… Image by Nikolaos Skliris. Used under Unsplash License

Useful Links

Official Athens Visitors Guide
Athens Lonely Planet
Athens Public Transportation
Athens International Airport

Get ready for an unforgettable Summit in one of the world’s most iconic cities!

Day 1 Venue: “Athens Conservatoire”

The “Athens Conservatoire” (in Greek: Odeion Athinon) stands as a beacon of cultural heritage, embodying the rich legacy of music and performing arts education in Greece. Established in 1871, it is the oldest educational institution for the performing arts in modern Greece. From its inception, the Conservatoire has been a venerable institution dedicated to nurturing talent and fostering creativity in music, drama, and dance. It has played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape of Greece, producing a plethora of accomplished artists and musicians who have left an indelible mark on the world stage. Among its distinguished alumni are globally renowned artists and performers such as Maria Callas, Mikis Theodorakis and Dimitris Sgouros. Today, expanded to include also a Drama and Dance School, the Athens Conservatoire constitutes a dynamic epicenter of arts and culture, where tradition intertwines with innovation to propel Greek cultural heritage forward into the modern era.

Photo of Maria Callas from the television talk show Small World. Public Domain

Mikis Theodorakis. Heinrich Klaffs – originally posted to Flickr as Mikis Theodorakis Fabrik 070004. Used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Architecturally, the Conservatoire is a masterpiece in its own right, boasting a design crafted by the esteemed Greek architect Ioannis Despotopoulos. A prominent figure in the modernist architectural movement of the 1930s and a disciple of the Bauhaus movement, Despotopoulos imbued the Conservatoire’s building with timeless elegance and functional simplicity. Its prime location at the heart of Athens, coupled with its iconic Bauhaus-inspired design, makes it a quintessential symbol of the city’s artistic vitality.

Nestled within walking distance of iconic landmarks such as the National Garden of Athens, the Presidential Palace, the National Stadium (the historic site of the inaugural contemporary Olympic Games), and the Zappeion Megaron, the Athens Conservatoire occupies a central position in the cultural tapestry of the city. As a vibrant hub where tradition converges with modernity, the Conservatoire enriches the cultural landscape of Athens and beyond, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its rich heritage and dynamic artistic offerings.

Athens Conservatoire. Image by Dimitris Kamaras – https://www.flickr.com/photos/127226743@N02/27224351455/in/photostream/ Used under CC BY 2.0

We eagerly anticipate welcoming you to the Athens Conservatoire on Thursday, the 16th of May, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience the unparalleled charm and artistic vibrancy of this esteemed institution firsthand.

Registration for the First Day starts at 9.30am and the day formally kicks off at 10.00am. You can find the agenda here.

Useful Tip: Make sure you set your destination for the Athens Conservatoire and NOT the National/Hellenic Conservatory. To make sure you reach the right place use this link.

Day 2 Venue: Athens Centre for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Athens University of Economics and Business

The Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) is the leading Economics and Business University in Greece and the third oldest University in the country. Established in 1920 as the Athens School of Commercial Studies, it has evolved into a prestigious institution renowned for its excellence in economics, business, and related disciplines. In 1989, it expanded its academic scope and was officially renamed AUEB, solidifying its position as a leading academic institution in Greece and beyond. It’s 3 Schools, comprising 8 Departments, offer state-of-the-art studies in areas such as Economics, International Relations, Management, Accounting, Marketing, Informatics and Statistics.

Τhe main building of the University, Marasleio Megaro, located at 76 Patission (28is Oktovriou) Street, two blocks away from the Archaeological Museum, arguably constitutes a striking architectural landmark in the heart of Athens, embodying a blend of modern aesthetics and functional design. Designed by the renowned architect Anastasios Metaxas, the building was his last piece of work, and is considered among the 100 most significant buildings of the 20th century in Greece.

Historic image from the front yard of AUEB. From the AUEB website

At AUEB, students have access to a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs tailored to meet the demands of today’s dynamic business environment. From economics and business administration to accounting, finance, marketing, and management science. AUEB offers 29 Masters programs, many of which taught entirely in English, attracting students from both Greece and abroad. In addition, it attracts more than 250 Erasmus+ students per year, ranking second in Greece in terms of its percentage of incoming international Erasmus+ students. The high quality of staff, many of whom have been educated abroad, and the campus location in downtown Athens make for an international institution at the forefront of regional and global education and research. AUEB’s international recognition is underscored by its partnerships and collaborations with leading universities and institutions worldwide.

View the Virtual Wlkthrough of the building here

The second day of the SFF Summit will be hosted in the brand new premises of the Athens Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACE), the AUΕB Incubator and Technology and Innovation Transfer Unit, located in the ground floor of the Troias building. Founded in 2014, ACE was established with the vision to establish and maintain a supportive and vibrant ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into successful businesses and encourages researchers to get involved in entrepreneurship. Over a decade later, our enthusiasm remains steadfast, now fuelled by even greater passion, as we have witnessed how dreams can become truth with the right guidance.

At the heart of our mission, lies the firm belief that entrepreneurship is more than just starting a business – it’s a mindset, a way of thinking that embraces challenges as opportunities and thrives on turning bold visions and out-of-the-box thinking into tangible value and feasible solutions to everyday challenges. We offer an array of resources and tools, seminars, workshops, intensive coaching, expert guidance, a vibrant local ecosystem, an extended regional and international network, and over ten years of experience to support aspiring entrepreneurs’ journey to success!

Registration for the Second Day starts at 9.30am and the day formally kicks off at 9.50am.

Athenian Nexus
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