Cartoons on the Street!
Posted by Chris Alefantis - 05/07/2009
An Open Air Cartoon Exhibition is about to kick off in Athens (Greece), featuring works of artists/cartoonists who have been inspired by the Homeless World Cup.
As of Monday, July 6 the streets of Athens will host a very special open air exhibition. Twelve cartoonists are inspired by the Homeless World Cup and, with their pencils at… full forward positions they draw their way against poverty, racism and social exclusion. Their works will be displayed on huge special stands (2mX1.7m), around the city’s main streets, carrying the message of the Homeless World Cup to the millions of citizens and visitors of the Greek capital. Kick Off Poverty!
The open air cartoon exhibition is part of the “Goal sti Ftohia” (Kick off Poverty) campaign run by GALERA Magazine and the Greek Homeless Team, aiming to raise public awareness on Homelessness and the Homeless World Cup.
The cartoon exhibition was preceded by the three day cinematic event “Cinema On the Street”, featuring films that deal with the Homeless World Cup as well as the broader issue of social exclusion. “Kicking It”, directed by Susan Koch and Jeff Werner, “It’s a Free World”, directed by Ken Loach, and “Kick Off Poverty”, a Greek production following the trail of the Greek Homeless Team on its way to Copenhagen 2007, are among the films that feature in the event that is to be held in Salonica (the 2nd largest city of Greece) as well, next October.
Furthermore, on Saturday, June 20, the 3rd “Football & Information Tournament” was held in Syntagma Square. On the day of the official opening of the Acropolis Museum scores of friends and supporters of the Greek Homeless Team gathered in and around the portable football pitch that was set up on the concrete blocks of the central square of Athens, playing football, having great fun and spreading the word around the initially bemused and eventually very enthusiastic passers-by: Let’s work all together against poverty and social exclusion.
The City of Athens and the City of Athens Institute for the Homeless, along with the Hellenic Postbank, are the keenest friends and valuable supporters of our Team. The Greek State Telecommunications giant OTE, Interamerican Insurance, the National Tourism Organization (EOT), Greek Football and Street Soccer PR events are, also, on our supporter’s frontline.
In the meantime, the stars of our football team keep their work rate up, despite the, at times excruciatingly hot, Greek summer weather. Despite the fact that selection time is fast approaching, the great majority of players just does not seem to be affected. The guys (and two girls…), exhibiting terrific team spirit and camaraderie, are just enjoying this unique football experience, sharing their passion, their dreams and their hopes with their ever growing number of new friends. Training sessions take place every Sunday, at the Rouf Football Ground, which is about 15’ walk from Omonia Square and the Acropolis. If you happen to be in Athens and want to join us for a game, we will be very happy to welcome you at our training facilities.
Our contact details: Chris Alefantis, chrisa@galera.gr, +30 210 3843983 (work) +30 6942 768470 (mobile)
For more information: www.homelessworldcup.org www.galera.gr www.justgiving.com/extremeteamgreece www.facebook.com (Greek national homeless team fan club) www.justgiving.com/chrisalefantis www.justgiving.com/teamgreece
