Summary
- The first Alexandroupolis Photo Week opened on 31 October at Warehouse 1 in the port.
- The evening included the “Photography Today” discussion and student photography awards.
- Exhibitions and events continue until 8 November 2026.
A packed audience at Warehouse 1 in the port welcomed the first Alexandroupolis Photo Week 2026 on Saturday, 31 October, with the city’s photography programme continuing until 8 November.
Organised by the Center for Creative Photography of Thrace, the opening evening brought together the public, figures from the photography community and students recognised for their images.
Photography opens the conversation
The discussion “Photography Today” was central to the opening, with Iraklis Papaioannou, Konstantinos Pittas and Dora Lavazou. The three speakers explored photography’s place in the contemporary world.
Representing the Municipality of Alexandroupolis, greetings were delivered by Evanthia Valasidou, Deputy Mayor for Culture, Volunteering, Lifelong Learning and Youth, and Ilias Dasteridis, Deputy Mayor for Social Solidarity, Sports and Civil Protection.
Recognising the students’ perspective
The evening also included the awards ceremony for the 1st Panhellenic Student Photography Competition 2025–2026, themed “The eyes, the mirror of the soul”. Students’ creative work therefore had a place at the opening alongside the discussion of photography today.
Exhibitions continue until 8 November
Alexandroupolis Photo Week 2026 continues until Sunday, 8 November, with photography exhibitions, talks, workshops and presentations. Venues include Warehouses 1 and 2 at the Port of Alexandroupolis and the former Bank of Greece building.
Anyone planning a visit can consult the full official programme for individual events and opening times. The festival receives financial support from, and is held under the auspices of, the Greek Ministry of Culture, as well as under the auspices of the Municipality of Alexandroupolis.
What we think
We like seeing student awards share an evening with a discussion featuring established voices in photography. For a young creator, having their work taken seriously in front of an audience interested in images can provide a very specific reason to keep going. That is something worth retaining in the festival’s future gatherings.
For those of us who photograph, a visit like this also has a straightforward value: we see printed work, spend time in front of it and discuss the photographer’s choices with the attention we rarely give an image on a screen. PTTL supports Alexandroupolis Photo Week as a media sponsor, and we are pleased to see this response to its opening evening.
