A rotating EU Presidency is hard work, tough negotiations and complex agreements, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate European unity as well as the individual nations that forge it. In collaboration with embassies around the world, Greece’s fifth Presidency is bringing Greek art, music, literature, cinema, and gastronomy all around the world with a programme that highlights the country’s distinct cultural identity and its global resonance. Here are just some of the events that took place in the first two months of the Presidency.

Brussels, the heart of European Union, beats in Greek with an array of cultural events celebrating the Presidency. “Nautilus” art exhibition, the main event of the Presidency in the Belgian capital, is hosted at the Musée des Beaux Arts (Βozar) and will be on display until the end April. Before the launch of Nautilus, Bozar also hosted the Armonia Atenea concert which marked the official opening of the Presidency’s culture agenda, while an extensive tribute to contemporary Greek cinema will follow. The European Parliament, on the other hand, is putting Greek art in prime view, in honour of the Presidency: 27 paintings and sculptures by contemporary Greek artists is on display at its Brussels Altiero Spinelli Building.

Greek poetry, always a gem in the palette of Greek culture, became the focus of many events around Europe. The iconic London Underground is hosting one of the Presidency’s most popular events: “Greek poems on the Underground”. Six poems by Greek, British and Irish poets will be posted in London Tube cars in honour of the Presidency and in celebration of the enduring ties between Greek culture and the modern world. Greek poetry also took over Helsinki, with the Finnish capital hosting a special tribute to Greece’s two Nobel laureates, George Seferis and Odysseas Elytis. Madrid, on the other hand, brought together two of the greatest Mediterranean poets in a musical celebration of the Presidency, with a tribute concert to Elytis & Lorca.

Music also features prominently in the cultural agenda celebrating the Presidency. Stockholm hosted a fascinating concert dedicated to contemporary Greek music, titled “Many Voices, Common Journey”, which featured acclaimed soloist Arja Saijonmaa, Mezzo-soprano Katerina Roussou and the Greek choir ”Orpheas”. Croatia honoured the Greek Presidency with a tribute concert to Greek violin virtuoso Leonidas Kavakos in Zagreb. Ankara hosted one of the most popular events celebrating the Greek Presidency: the New Year Gala Concert was dedicated to the Greek Presidency and featured world-famous tenor Mario Frangoulis in a packed State Opera and Ballet. Greek cultural events even crossed the Atlantic. Washington celebrated the Greek Presidency with a series of cultural dialogues on the Byzantine civilization.

The Presidency’s culture programme abroad will run through the Greek semester, with many more events to follow across the EU and beyond. Keep updated through our website and the Presidency’s twitter account @gr2014eu.