Stavros Messinis, founder of The Cube and Kostas Fontalis, founder of Xeirotexnika teamed up to combine the technology and DIY communities for Athens’ first ever Mini Maker Faire which took place October 1-2.
Already hailed as an invaluable co-working incubator hub for tech start-ups and helping people develop their ambitions, The Cube saw the opportunity to co-facilitate the fair as an amazing platform for young inventors of various mediums to display and explain their creations to the public. This year’s faire was just the beginning and over 5,000 visitors stopped by the Peristeri Exhibition Center to check out the latest creations of the youth of Greece.
Facilitators Stavros Messinis and Maria Calafatis from The Cube alongside Kostas Fontalis and Vanesa Matsouka from Xeirotexnika, provided the much-needed platform for young inventors in Greece. In all, some 80 exhibitors displayed their robotic gadgets, 3D print creations, wearable art and fashion made from different textiles including life jackets used by refugees and anything else the inventors’ minds allowed them to dream up.
When asked why they decided to host a Makers Faire in Greece when the crisis has made life difficult for economic growth or success, Maria Calafatis explained to Greek Reporter that “the crisis in Greece has actually helped the younger generation get out of their comfort zone and experiment. Here at the Cube Athens we always are having seminars, workshops and speakers from abroad who have had successful” to help give direction and inspiration to the young inventors.
Now armed with the license to continue on with the faire in an annual capacity, Maria said their goal is “to go bigger and better next year” and create an annual platform for the youth of Greece to continue to grow their curiosity and imagination.
For more information about Athens’ first Mini Maker Faire see: makerfaireathens.com
The Cube also runs a maker’s space where hands-on projects from creating a robotic hand to inventions from wood and robotics take place. Find more information about The Cube here.
Also check out this video to see some highlights from Athens Mini Maker Faire!
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