Thessaloniki: Central Aristotelous Square is Transformed Into a Beach

The Municipality of Thessaloniki has decided to cover central Aristotelous Square with sand for two days! Their rationale for this is that Thessaloniki will host a beach volley tournament in June.
This is not a joke! Beach umbrellas, sunbeds and suntans will be placed all around Aristotelous. This is only the first step that the Municipality is undertaking, in order to become the European Capital of Youth 2014. The officials believe that this summer concept will bring a ‘youthful’ breeze to the city.
The event begins this weekend with the Battle of the year. It is a breakdance contest, taking place at the Royal Theatre, in which the best breakdance teams from the Balkans and other cities will participate. The winner will have the opportunity to represent the Balkans at the World Breakdance Contest in Germany.

Furthermore, a 4×4 football tournament will take place in Thessaloniki this weekend. It is expected that almost 1,000 children aged 9 through 12 will participate. Several other sports tournaments, such as basketball contests, are included in the Municipality’s activities in June.
At the same time, the city council announced affordable prices for public gyms and swimming pools. Vulnerable groups of people, such as the unemployed, impoverished, single-parent families, families with many children, citizens over 65 and handicapped people will have the chance to enter gyms and pools free.