Thessaloniki for the first time in the Network of Creative Cities of Gastronomy of UNESCO
Thessaloniki is included in the international tourist maps, as a gastronomic capital, thus strengthening its identity and brand.
For the first time in the history of the institution the Thessaloniki is the only Greek city that achieves its integration in Creative Cities of Gastronomy Network of Unesco.
This important discrimination, which makes Thessaloniki gastronomic capital, including it in international tourist maps and strengthening its identity and brand, was the result of strategic cooperation between the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Committee Unesco.
“Many times I talk about what I call an alliance of good and creation for Thessaloniki. In the case of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, we formed an alliance with exactly these characteristics, the Greek Government – Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Commission Unesco, having at our side in this national effort the President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, whom we warmly thank for its decisive contribution. At the invitation of the Deputy Minister of Tourism Sofia Zacharaki in all municipalities, with diligence in the Municipality of Thessaloniki we prepared and discovered a complete dossier and highlighted, among other things, the history of the city, our gastronomic tradition as formed over the centuries, the international work of science and food research community as well as the creative potential of the city. The candidacy file of Thessaloniki was warmly supported by the Ministry of Tourism and the competent Deputy Minister, but also at the highest level by the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis himself, as well as by the Greek Goodwill Ambassador of Unesco Marianna Vardinogianni. “Through this creative synergy we reached the goal of the announcement of Thessaloniki, in Paris, as a member of the Network of Creative Cities of Gastronomy of Unesco”, said the Mayor of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Zervas, emphasizing: “Gastronomy is also a key comparative advantage of Thessaloniki – the city . is a crossroads of tastes and cultures, now with the Unesco stamp. Good local cuisine is the backbone of the gastronomic offer, it is rewarded financially and upgrades the standard experience “.
“The inclusion of Thessaloniki in the Network of Creative Cities of Gastronomy of Unesco is an important and global distinction for the city, which puts culture, gastronomy and creativity at the center of tourism development and promotion”, notes from her side the Deputy Mayor of Culture. and Tourism Maria Karagianni.
Responding to the invitation of Unesco regarding the Network of Creative Cities of Gastronomy, the Undersecretary, in charge of the thematic forms of Tourism, Sofia Zacharaki mobilized by informing the local regions about the process, as there was the possibility for only one national participation.
The municipalities that reached the final stage of the process were Heraklion and Thessaloniki, from the municipalities that Thessaloniki was selected to represent our country among other international participations.
“The distinction of Thessaloniki and its selection by Unesco to become a member of the Network of Creative Cities of Gastronomy is a great joy for us but also a justification of the many months of effort we made for information, coordination and what was needed to support the respective municipalities in creating and submitting their files. Creative Cities of Gastronomy is a Network of Cities that has a tradition in gastronomy and promotes Cultural Diversity and Sustainable Urban Development. The importance of the Network lies in the fact that it facilitates the Member Cities in the exchange of experiences, know-how and resources in this subject. At the same time, it acts in support of the creative, social and economic potential of the wider region. “Such a participation is huge for the city selected by Unesco”, said the Deputy Minister of Tourism Sofia Zacharaki.
“This distinction is added to the dynamics of Thessaloniki, which in combination with the 15 Unesco monuments at its disposal, has all the guarantees to develop and become even more as a tourist and cultural destination. I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who strengthened the Greek request, the ambassador of Unesco Marianna Vardinoyannis, the National Unesco and of course the Committee Mayor of Thessaloniki, Minister Konstantinos Z in the City Hall that contributed decisively to such a positive result! The team work paid off and we are so excited about it “, added Ms. Zacharaki.