Theme: Epafi

Epafi. How can each person overcome every obstacle, every barrier and discover the perfect point of contact?
What is it that gives everyone the motivation to "escape" from their safety and become the best version of themselves?
#TEDxUniversityofMacedonia2023 presents you the 10th and anniversary conference, in an experience that comes to bring us closer to the ultimate liberation from our shackles.
Let's come together and Shutter all Barriers.

Megaro Mousikis Thessalonikis
54646, March 25th Avenue
Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54646
Greece

Alexia Chatziparasidou

Clinical Embryology Consultant

Alexia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed her Master’s degree with a focus on «Clinical Embryology and Assisted Reproduction Technology» at the School of Medicine & Health, University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. As a Clinical Embryologist, she has been actively involved in Assisted Reproduction since 1993, both in clinical practice and as an educator. In 2004, she founded the state-of-the-art Assisted Reproduction Unit, Embryolab, and in 2013, the internationally known Embryolab Academy. She is an Accredited Risk Manager (PMI) and Inspector for ESHRE Assisted Reproduction Laboratory Certification. She is an active member of International Assisted Reproduction Organisations (ESHRE, ASRM, ALPHA, PEKE). Her most recent project explores «The Genetic Basis of Azoospermia-the Mystery That Needs to Be Unraveled.» Alexia challenges herself every day to stay in touch with the science that creates life.

Antonis Tsapatakis

Paralympic Medalist / Author

Born in Chania, Crete in 1988. He started swimming at the age of five. At the same time, at the age of 10, he took up water polo, where he won the junior and youth championships. At 18 he had a motorcycle accident outside the swimming pool resulting in paralysis of his lower limbs. For physiotherapy reasons he took up swimming again where he realised he still had the charisma of a champion. The event in which he excelled was the 100m breaststroke with many European and world titles. He is now also the author, together with Elena Thoidou, of the children's books "The Dream" and "Tony and Mr. Fear". Finally, she participates in activities concerning empathy and the relationship with oneself.

Aris Sklavenitis

Sommelier

Aris Sklavenitis has a degree in Oenology. He is a certified Advanced Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers, has the Diploma of the World Union of Winemakers and the Wine & Sommelier Expert Course of Genius in Gastronomy. He is the owner and Head Sommelier at Oinoscent Wine Food Cellar, founder of scanforfacts.io and prephylloxera.com and writes articles in popular Kathimerini group press. He has been distinguished as the best Greek Winemaker for 2016, 2019 & 2023, winning the Panhellenic Competition.

Eleni Thoidou

Physical Education Teacher / Author

Eleni Thoidou was born in Drama and grew up in Thessaloniki. From an early age she was involved in swimming where she managed to distinguish herself with many titles, while in her free time she loved to write poems and stories. She studied at the Department of Physical Education & Sports of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and continued with the educational program "Autism: symptoms and treatment" of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her love for children is the reason why she continues to work with them to this day because, as she says: Children are my inspiration. "The Dream" is her first fairy tale that she wrote together with paralympian Antonis Tsapatakis in 2016. The two books will become a theatrical performance in October 2023. Fairy tales are a path with messages, let's walk it with our children.

Erietta Kourkoulou - Latsi

Activist / Founder & Chairwoman of Non-Profit Foundations

Erietta studied Sociology at the American College of Greece and later received her MA in Animal Studies from New York University. She has been involved in the animal rights movement since she was 15 years old, founding her first NPO, “Save a Greek Stray” in 2012. In 2020, she founded the NPO “A Promise to Animals”, aiming to raise awareness of the negative effects of livestock farming and the consumption of animal products and to encourage the collective transition to a plant-based diet. Erietta is President of the Matilda Foundation, an institution dedicated to the protection of children from all forms of abuse as well as to the promotion and protection of their rights.

Fotis Georgiadis

Music Producer

Fotis Georgiadis is a music producer and film director from Thessaloniki and has collaborated with the biggest names in the Greek rap scene. His connection with music started at a very early age by learning by himself to play the drums and guitar. He got his degree in sound engineering and started making his first tries in music production. At the age of 24 he started filming music videos and since then he is directly connected to Greek rap music. During the period 2022-2023, he created the music album “Arte Povera”. He composed original classical music played by symphonic orchestras. Meanwhile, he directed “Arte Povera- The Documentary”. The outstanding music album released by Minos EMI, a Universal Music Company, peaked in #5 in Spotify’s Top-10 Albums Debut Global, while “Arte Povera – The Documentary” was announced as the #1 music documentary in the Greek Box Office -in less than a month.

Giota Tachtara

Journalist, Communications coordinator at the University of Michigan

Giota Tachtara was born in Greece, studied Political Science in Athens and Journalism in Los Angeles (UCLA). Since 2002 she has been writing, editing and translating for various magazines, newspapers and websites (Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Madame Figaro, BHMAdonna, ΓΥΝΑΙΚΑ, Time Out Istanbul in English, Fiction Writers Review to name a few). When Vogue Greece relaunched with a new vision, her features became a central point of the rebranding and her column on vogue.gr contemplates feminism, style and the everyday nostalgia of her generation. Her short stories have appeared on Books Journal and Kathimerini and since the fall of 2020 she’s been working on the Generation G project with the University of Michigan, a series of interviews of prominent creators, artists and activists who changed Greek pop culture as we know it. She is the Communications Coordinator for the departments of American Culture and Comparative Literature at the University of Michigan.

Ioannis Papadopoulos

Journalist

Born in 1984 in Kilkis. He studied Journalism at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and got his master’s degree in Print and Multimedia Journalism at Emerson College, Boston. He worked as a reporter at the newspaper Aggelioforos (2004-2007), at TA NEA and Tachydromos as a US correspondent (2008-2010) and as a reporter in Athens (2010-2014). His stories have been published in the German edition of Le Monde Diplomatique. Since 2014 he has been an investigative reporter and feature writer at Kathimerini. He has worked for TV newscasts at ANT1 and ERT. In 2016 he was shortlisted for the Special Award of the European Press Prize and in 2017 he received the 3rd prize in print reporting of the EU Migration Media Award.

Manolis Papoutsakis

Chef

Manolis was born in Chania, Crete and grew up in the province of Kissamos. He studied ancient Greek philosophy in Rethymno and Thessaloniki, but in the end he was won over by cooking and devoted himself completely to it. He is chef and co-owner of the restaurants “Haroupi” and “10 tables” in Thessaloniki and “Pharaoh” in Athens. He writes articles in taste magazines on issues related to gastronomy and has presented cooking shows on Greek television and fights for the promotion, and establishment of Greek cuisine as part of our cultural heritage.

Maria Amanatidou

Radio Producer / Author

Maria Amanatidou is a journalist and radio producer. She lives in Thessaloniki, Greece. She has published the books «To Happy tis mamas» (2015), «Ambassador» (2022), «Istories gia ta baza» (2023) and has been distinguished with her short stories in literary competitions that led to group publications: «19 New Steps» (2009), «Quarantine Diaries» (2020). In 2021, she participated in the competition section of Thessaloniki’s International Film Festival with her podcast «Istories gia ta baza». She is married to Christos Giannoulis, and they have a son, Paris.

Paraskevi Salavgia

Creator of the Documentary Two sides of the same world'

Paraskevi Salavgia was born in Thessaloniki in 1998. She was born 5.5 months old. An accidentally intubated oxygen tube created the damage of cerebral palsy and left hemiplegia, but with a lot of work her disability passed into the realm of the invisible. She has graduated from the Department of Philosophy and Pedagogy of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and from ASPAITE as a consultant. She is the creator of the film ''Two sides of the same world&an Autobiographical Social Awareness Documentary. Also, she is the author of a children's Christmas story, a self-cognitive and inclusive story and a book on self awareness. Furthermore, she is involved in joke therapy and dancing. She loves self improvement books. One of the most important things she was asked to do in this life was to get in touch with herself, to connect with herself, with deep compassion, love and care.

Petros Klampanis

Bassist, Composer and Producer

Born in Zakynthos, the award-winning musician left the Technical University of Athens to follow his passion for music in 2005 and began double bass studies at the Amsterdam Conservatory. In 2009. He completed his studies in New York and soon began to work with some of the most famous jazz city musicians. In addition to his extensive list of appearances in historic venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Kennedy Center in Washington, His musical relationship with Greg Osby led to the release of his first two albums, Contextual and Minor Dispute. In 2015 he was voted in Greece as the Best Jazz Artist from jazzonline.gr and his album Minor Dispute was chosen among the best jazz albums of 2015 on US National Public Radio. His third album was awarded as the best live album of 2018 by IMA Awards. His fourth album 'Irrationalities' enjoys worldwide acceptance. The most recent album of "Tora Collective" has the Greek tradition at its center.

Yiannis Velissaridis

Photographer, Artist

Yiannis Velissaridis has been recognized as one of the most important portrait photographers in Greece, with a long career in record industry, theater and dance. His photos of famous and beloved artists both from Greece and abroad [Sean Connery, Vanessa Mae, Nelly, U2, Robbie Williams, Stelios Kazantzidis ] have been featured on album covers, magazines and exhibitions. A 40-year journey in photography, with his lens focusing on people and his gaze touching the heart. He started the production and direction of video clips in 2012 and this has been evolved into a great love of his. He combines the talent and the particular look, which differentiates him, with the love for the person standing before him. He captures, in his own way, the magic of the moment. The humor in the approaching, imagination and impeccable technique became the identity that sealed his work.