45th Dimitria Festival

A total of 16 characters were illustrated as the main elements of the complete visual identity for the 45th Dimitria Festival. Taking place annually in Thessaloniki and Northern Greece, this cultural festival is the largest of its kind in Greece and covers all the arts including music, dance and theatre. Humorously kept in black-and-white, these characters have reference in the local traditional culture of engraved art as well as the Greek shadow theatre featuring the main character of hunchbacked Karagiozis. The illustrations were used in many different applications, such as merchandise and publications, and as three metres high wooden installations that were placed at hotspots and historical places around the city. The themes of the illustrations are related to each place they were installed at: a character in a prop-driven aircraft, for example, is placed at the airport, an owl near the university area and a fisherman is sitting on the seaside. These easily recognisable motifs thus promote the festival in an inviting manner. Statement by the jury »The mix of performances that characterise the Dimitria Festival is conveyed through a series of icons that support the message in a distinctive and original manner. Following an individual and humorous design approach, the implementation embodies an outstanding solution.«