On January 1st, 2025, Christos Galilaias will have completed four years as the artistic director of Thessaloniki Concert Hall (TCH), having made sure that the new year kicks off vigorously, with the unveiling of the celebratory programme on the account of the 25th anniversary of TCH’s dynamic presence in Thessaloniki.

The internationally acclaimed violin soloist express his satisfaction over the THC’s course during his four-year stint, as in addition to the renowned orchestras and the exceptional musicians that have performed on its stage, for the first time in the institution’s history a series of concerts and productions carried out by TCH are now broadcast on the video streaming platform Medici.tv and the French television channel Mezzo TV, two of the most high-profile media for the promotion and broadcasting of classical music on a worldwide scale.

The starting-off point came on December 18th, 2024, when the concert given by the Modigliani Quartet on November 25th at THC, within the framework of the International Chamber Music Festival, was aired on Medici.tv. The presence of TCH in these media, alongside legendary classical music venues such as Covent Garden and the Opera Houses of Paris, Vienna and Berlin, marks an undoubtful success and serves as a springboard for the further takeoff of the institution.

“The concept of openness may be a part of today’s agenda, but TCH has every right to proudly argue that this recognition plays its significant part in the extraversion of both Thessaloniki and the rest of Greece,” mentions Christos Galilaias, adding that TCH has made it to the prestigious list of the top-notch classical music venues in Europe. “It’s a huge achievement that must be credited to TCH, which certifies the high level of our artistic programme and the quality of our productions, while standing as a solid proof for the international recognition of the institution.”

After all, this was the first personal challenge he undertook as soon as he picked up the baton of TCH, in January 2021, amidst the mask-wearing period due to the pandemic. Despite the rigorous restrictions and the deafening muting of music at that time he did not hesitate to set high goals, and the one that topped his list was no other than the internalization of TCH, which he accomplished through a great deal of work, persistence and patience. Another goal that was materialized, to his immense satisfaction, was the grand tribute on the account of the 100th anniversary since the birth of the iconic violinist Leonid Kogan, held with great success at the end of 2024. “It caused a sensation even outside the boundaries of our country,” points out Christos Galilaias, and this international appeal was probably what led to its airing on Medici.tv.

The tribute to Kogan, in all probability the most influential violin performer of all times but also one of the most radiant music stars of the 20th century, was part of his plans ever since his first days as the TCH’s artistic director. He expresses his gratitude both for the realization of this tribute and the dazzling praise it received. However, he avoids resting on his laurels, displaying an even greater willingness, conviction and zeal towards the new goals that await for him.

He does not  fail to emphatically underline that all projects planned and carried out in the last few years by TCH owe a lot to the meaningful support granted by the Ministry of Culture, while stressing the importance of safeguarding the public aspect of culture. “It’s the only way to offer a high level of art, for the simple reason that you are allowed to select your programme based on purely artistic criteria, and not succumbing to commercial compromise. Just like public radio and television are necessary so as to undertake high-quality productions without the fear of low ratings, the audience is also entitled to a high level of cultural choices. Schubert may appeal to a narrower target audience, but do we have the right to accustom people to a low level of productions? Do we need to convince anyone over the  grandeur of Mozart or Beethoven? One needs to give a fight, especially in Greece, a country lacking classical music tradition. It is not mandatory for everyone to like it, but in order to reject it or love it one needs to get to know it first,” he explains.

Wrapping up, he declares his certainty that the celebratory events for the 25th anniversary of TCH, scheduled to kick off in the winter of 2025 and carry on up until the summer of 2026, will contribute to this direction.