Margarita Papadimitriou

Designed by architectural firm Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) is a sustainable world-class cultural, learning and recreational urban complex that includes the new homes of the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera, located within the Stavros Niarchos Park, one of the largest green spaces of Athens, covering an area of 210.000 square meters. It was constructed through a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and was donated to the Greek State in February 2017. A global architectural landmark, a sustainability paradigm as well as a metropolitan cultural destination, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center aims to become our common ground, a place for all people, where everyone has access to learning, the arts and events that stimulate, engage and inspire. In 2017, more than 3 million people visited the SNFCC. SNFCC S.A. is responsible for the maintenance, operation, and management of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center and the Stavros Niarchos Park, while at the same time developing its own cultural, educational and sports programming, open to all and free of charge, thanks to an exclusive grant by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. In 2017, more than 3.500 free events were organized by SNFCC S.A. This programming, alongside the rich program of the Greek National Opera and the reinvigorated presence of the National Library of Greece, which for the first time in its history will also host a public lending section, create a new cultural reference point in Athens and beyond.