The Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art Thessaloniki was founded in 1979 by a group of visionary citizens of Thessaloniki . In a conversation between Maro Lagia and Alexandros Iolas , after the latter had shown a keen interest in the damage inflicted on monuments by the 1978 Thessaloniki earthquake , Maro proposed the creation of a contemporary art centre in Thessaloniki . Iola ’s response was immediate – “ Oh yes , no more hospitals and orphanages ; a centre of contemporary art ; that ’s exactly what Thessaloniki needs . ” Alexandros Iolas ’ encounter with Thessaloniki was to acquire special significance , not only for the city but also for the posthumous fame of this singularly perceptive collector . There is nothing in Greece today to recall his inspired and creative sojourn in the country save the collection of the 47 works that he donated a generation ago as a “ nucleus ” around which to build a Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art in this city
1978 Thessaloniki earthquake
1978 Thessaloniki earthquake
Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art