An entire city, operating as a stage
Eleusis
Opening &
Closing
At a glance
For two landmark ceremonies, the city of Elefsina became part of the performance. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies of Eleusis European Capital of Culture 2023 marked a year-long cultural programme that positioned Elefsina within Europe’s contemporary cultural landscape.
View Master Events was responsible for the technical production of all events and venues, turning a city-wide artistic vision into a coordinated live and broadcast production.
The experience
The city as a stage
The Opening Ceremony, held from 4 to 5 February 2023, unfolded across the city, integrating performances, processions, speeches and large-scale installations into the urban environment. Led creatively by Artistic Director Michail Marmarinos and directed by Chris Baldwin, the ceremony began with processions entering the city and gradually drew audiences towards the waterfront, where a 22-meter-long, 10-ton metal sculpture was revealed.
Music carried by Marina Satti’s 122 CHÓRES. Along the coastal front, audiences followed a cultural trail across rooftops, taverns, garages and unexpected public spaces. 19 different activities expanded throughout Elefsina.
The Closing Ceremony, held from 15 to 17 December 2023, brought the programme to completion across Anapsiktirio, Cine Eleusis, Iris Factory, Palaio Dimarxio, Elaiourgiki, X-Bowling Art Center and Arkopolis.
Behind the production
Multiple locations. Live environments. Broadcast setups.
The ceremonies unfolded simultaneously across the city. Waterfront installations. 28 broadcast cameras, cine cranes, drones and multiple live feeds covering the ceremonies in real time. A ceremony experienced live by more than 15,000 attendees and simultaneously broadcast to 3 million television viewers.
View Master Events led the technical production and broadcast coordination. 68 production experts. 45 broadcast and documentation specialists. 35 technicians and 25 stagehands. Throughout Elefsina, production systems, broadcast operations and live environments remained fully connected.
Gallery
Still frames from the ceremonies.
