Stereotypes were "subverted" in HICDB's opening event that took place on Thursday June 16 2022 in the Embassy of Greece in Belgium.
A panel discussion followed the intro of Laurent Licata, Professor of social and intercultural Psychology, ULB. Mina Apostolidis, artisan chocolatier, Maria Papadreou, painter and Alexandros Sarakenidis, pianist, all Greeks with a link to Belgium, shared stories and stereotypical incidents and anecdotes of their course of life related to their Greek roots illustrating at the same time a contemporary vision of Greece. Kelly Agathos moderated the discussion and the Q&A with the attendants.
A pairing experience aimed at twisting the stereotypes followed. Vicky Corbeels, wine lady of year 2015, Greek wine expert, climate researcher and wine marketer talked about the stereotypes surrounding the Greek wine. Together with Mina Apostolidis they presented the concept of the pairing experience: Greek wine by Oenogea paired with cheese and chocolate by MINA Handmade chocolates. The tailor-made set-up of the pairing experience was taken care of by Oikodespoina. The unstereotypical paintings exposed are Maria's Papandreou creations.
Great turnout with representatives from the EU Institutions, international Cultural Organizations and attendees from Brussels and other cities of Belgium.
You can see the video here .
