As part of a powerful tribute to the distinguished Thessalian photographer Takis Tloupas, held in December 2024 at the Municipal Conservatory of Larissa, the Region of Thessaly officially announced a major new cultural initiative: the international photography competition Tloupas PATH.
Event Start
In his opening address, George Andreou, Cultural Affairs Advisor to the Regional Governor, underscored the importance of the moment: “This evening is a celebration for the Region of Thessaly — a celebration of Culture,” he said. As he noted, “Alongside the ‘Papadiamantis Symposium’ — an international conference and award recognizing one of the greatest figures in Greek literature — we are now adding the international photography competition Tloupas PATH, that will carry forward the artistic and intellectual legacy of Takis Tloupas.” He concluded by affirming the Region’s ongoing commitment to fostering cultural expression:
“The Region of Thessaly will continue to pursue a dynamic and diverse cultural agenda, with initiatives that honor our heritage while inspiring future generations.”
Governor Dimitris Kouretas expressed deep gratitude to those who supported the initiative: “I extend my heartfelt thanks to Vania Tloupa for her gracious and generous support to this effort, and to everyone whose work helped bring the Tloupas PATH (Tloupas Photography Award of Thessaly’s Heritage) to life.” He also highlighted the symbolic significance of the competition’s title: “I particularly appreciate the wordplay in the title — path meaning a trail, a way forward, a direction — as it reflects our mission to forge new paths in every domain: in Culture, in Production, in Social Progress, and in our commitment to the common good. I personally support Culture with great enthusiasm and hold deep respect and affection for the Arts.”
Speech D. Koureta
In his address, Regional Governor Dimitris Kouretas reflected on the Region’s cultural journey and reaffirmed its commitment to impactful initiatives: “As the Region of Thessaly, we have made a number of important commitments over the past year. Today, I am especially proud to say that not only have we fulfilled everything we promised, but we have gone even further. We have exceeded our goals — and saved one for the end of the year, so we could celebrate it together. This flagship initiative,” he continued, “is the launch of an international photography competition dedicated to the great Thessalian (and Larissa native) photographer Takis Tloupas, who has profoundly shaped our ‘gaze,’ the very way we perceive Thessaly — not only as a cultural and social landscape, but also as a region of production and vitality.”
Documentary
Another creative initiative undertaken by the Region of Thessaly was the promotion of Cinema, with the premiere screening of the documentary “Thessaly from Within”. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Panos Karkanevatos, the 35-minute film offered a poignant exploration of the relationship between humanity and nature, inspired by the devastating floods caused by Storm Daniel. The documentary captured the resilience and hardship of local communities in the wake of the disaster, highlighting the interaction between nature and humanity.
Governor Dimitris Kouretas emphasized the Region’s expanding cultural vision: “The Department of Culture has now fully activated the Film Office of the Region of Thessaly — an institution designed to support and promote creative cinematic activity. This includes the facilitation of film and television productions, and the development of audiovisual projects rooted in our region’s unique stories and landscapes.”
The event concluded on a lyrical note with renowned vocalist Savina Yannatou, accompanied by pianist Spyros Manesis offering the audience a rich blend of music and emotion that perfectly capped the cultural gathering.
