For eight days, design took over the heart of Thessaloniki, turning familiar streets and public spaces into places of discovery. The first Design Dialogue Days, organised by DNA Thessaloniki (Design. Narratives. Artifacts), welcomed 6,000 visitors between November 1 and 8, 2026, bringing industrial design into the everyday life of the city.
At the center of the event, three shipping containers in Aristotelous Square were transformed into a pop-up Design Museum, inviting visitors to explore the stories behind everyday objects, iconic design pieces and references from the cinematic world of Pedro Almodóvar. Beyond the square, 30 shop windows across the historic centre became part of a citywide design trail, while a separate installation at Minas Kosmidis Architects explored the relationship between designer fabrics and objects. Open to all and free of charge, the programme attracted residents, students, tourists and festival visitors, with guided tours in Greek and English and a dedicated visit with Greek Sign Language interpretation.
The event concluded with a public celebration, during which members of DNA Thessaloniki gave a colourful makeover to the installation’s white plastic stools. More than a temporary exhibition, Design Dialogue Days marked the beginning of a larger ambition: to establish a permanent Design Museum in Greece and position Thessaloniki as a design hub for Southeast Europe by 2030.
With its first edition now complete, DNA Thessaloniki has set the stage for an ongoing conversation about the objects, spaces and ideas that shape everyday life.
