A unique and interactive celebration dedicated to the power of coexistence, cultural exchange and human connection took place in Piraeus on 19 June 2026. The event, “Different Roots, Shared Futures: A Celebration of Community & Storytelling”, organised by KMOP – Social Action and Innovation Centre as part of Refugee Week Greece, created an open, vibrant space for dialogue, expression and interaction.
By placing personal stories and active participation in its core, the event brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, highlighting the shared values and aspirations that unite us beyond borders, languages and cultural differences.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks from Jenny Lazarou, Institutional & Community Engagement Coordinator at KMOP, and Dina Ntziora, Founder of Refugee Week Greece, who welcomed participants into an inclusive community atmosphere. “Our ongoing mission is to cultivate spaces where every individual, regardless of their background, feels heard, included, and valued. Social inclusion is not a theoretical concept; it is an active, collective process shaped daily by empathy and mutual understanding,” they emphasized during their opening remarks.
The programme continued with the interactive panel discussion “Our stories, our connection: A conversation on belonging, inclusion & resilience”, moderated by Rania El Ampasy, Senior Project Manager at KMOP. The diverse panel featured prominent voices from institutional stakeholders, civil society and cultural diaspora groups:
Michalis Afolagian, Founder of the ANASA Centre for African Art and Cultures, Niki-Ivie Evbouoman, Student Affairs and Community Engagement Assistant at College Year in Athens (CYA), Katerina Tiga, Theatre Educator and Coordinator of Intercultural Activities at the Migrant Integration Centre (KEM) of the Municipality of Athens, Georgia Milka, Director of the NGO Faros and Artemis Mylona, Psychologist and School Operations Coordinator at Faros School in Athens.
During the panel discussion, speakers drawing on their personal and professional experiences, explored the different dimensions of belonging, social inclusion and active participation in contemporary multicultural societies. They emphasized that visibility, equal opportunities and meaningful representation are fundamental for all members of society, while highlighting culture, education, community engagement and cross-sector collaboration between organisations and citizens as essential tools for strengthening social cohesion and building more open, inclusive communities.
Following the panel, participants shifted from listeners to active storytellers during the experiential workshop “Roots and Routes”, led by Angela Skembi, Project Manager at KMOP. Through creative writing, dialogue and collaborative reflection exercises, attendees explored the intricate layers of identity and personal journeys. The workshop successfully fostered deep peer-to-peer connection, empathy and mutual understanding among everyone involved.
The evening reached its peak with an electrifying live performance by the ANASA DRUMMERS of the ANASA Centre for African Art and Cultures. Delivering dynamic African rhythms, the drummers energised the room and transformed the venue into a collective celebration of dance, shared expression and togetherness.
The event concluded with music and socializing, powerfully reaffirming the core message of the initiative: despite our different roots, we can collectively shape a shared future built on inclusion, solidarity and harmonious coexistence.
The event took place as part of the “AMIR” initiative, which is funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). Further information is available here.
For information, please contact us at [email protected]