CONTESTED_CITIES Athens 2017 is a pioneering cultural, artistic and scientific project that bridges critical urban studies and ancient Greek drama. Focusing on the notion of displacement, it inspires transdisciplinary interpretations and interactive discussions between urban theorists, art collectives and ancient Greek theatre experts. CONTESTED_CITIES Athens 2017 is a collaborative action, organised by the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation (Athens) and scientists from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and the University of Leeds.

The project will be practically developed during a two-weeks scientific and artist residence, which will be taking place in Athens between September 15th and 30th, 2017. During that period, five different types of activities will take place:

1. Three scientific seminars that discuss ideas of place, displacement and exile; power in place; space invaders and the commons, as well as alternatives beyond neoliberal urbanism (September 20th, 22nd and 25th).
2. Three artistic workshops that engage with displacement, gentrification and the construction of alternatives beyond neoliberal urbanism (September 21st, 23rd and 26th).
3. A public scientific forum that questions hegemonic discourses on neoliberal urbanism and discusses radical ideas about the autonomous city, practices of commoning and other alternatives (September 23rd and 24th).
4. An artistic exhibition about urban displacement, contemporary social exclusion and radical alternatives (September 19th to 30th).
5. A theatre performance based on real-life displacement stories presented with appropriate extracts from ancient Greek tragedies and visual installations, taking place at the Theatre of the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation (September 28th, 29th and 30th)

The project is directed by Georgia Alexandri (Madrid) and Michael Janoschka (Leeds). It takes place in collaboration with Left Hand Rotation, María Escobar, Juanfra Rodriguez, George Rodosthenous, Nicholas Salazar, Paul Routledge and Rouven Rech.

During July 2017, preparations for this project include two different calls for participation:

• A call for displacement stories
• A call for participating in the seminars and workshops

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