This year, as part of the WOW – Women of the World Athens festival, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), with the support of the Municipality of Athens, presents the photography exhibition “The Hope Brigade” around the perimeter of the National Garden. The exhibition features twenty photographs of women who are sources of inspiration and hope for change. The exhibition will run until 30 March.

“The Hope Brigade” is a photography series curated by the WOW – Women of the World Festivals network, highlighting women and non-binary individuals from ten countries who are leading the way on ten urgent global issues, ranging from climate justice and the economy to education and health.

The first series was created in 2021 in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture and now includes portraits of 150 people from around the world. Emerging photographers, from Beijing to Brisbane, tell the story of individuals working on the frontlines of activism, often without the recognition they deserve, yet always with extraordinary impact.

Reflecting the global character of WOW, the exhibition in Athens takes place simultaneously with “The Hope Brigade North East” in England, hosted in various locations across North East England and presenting outstanding women and non-binary individuals from the region.

Ten of the photographs presented in Athens portray remarkable women active in Greece, each distinguished in her field. The women share with the public their journeys, their thoughts, and their hopes for the future:

• Stefania Dama, Member of the NGO “Proud Parents”
• Chrysella Lagaria, Co-founder & Director, “Black Light Social Cooperative Enterprise”
• Loxandra “LLoxy” Loukas, Actor, Performer, Visual Artist and member of the group “En Dynamei”
• Eleni Riga, Exhibition Curator, Cultural Producer
• Katerina Sofianou, 3rd Grade High School Student, Founder of “Remade Designs”
• Ioanna Stentoumi, Lawyer, MSc in Criminal Law and Criminology
• Sofia Tsourinaki, Ancient Textile Technologist, Educator, Researcher
• Ioanna Chronopoulou, Physical Education Teacher, Director of the Paxoi School Center, President of the Paxoi Cultural Association
• Maria Ify Ohilebo, Co-founder of Melissa Network
• Gabrielle Tay, Founder & Executive Director of “Action for Women”

WOW – Women of the World Athens 2026

From 27 to 30 March 2026, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), in collaboration with the WOW Foundation, presents the WOW – Women of the World Athens festival for the fourth year. It is the largest global event dedicated to women, femininities and non-binary people.

WOW Athens aims to address the most pressing issues related to the struggle for gender equality, both locally and internationally, while giving a platform to voices that inspire and offer hope for a more just world.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information about the WOW Athens 2026 program on the SNFCC website snfcc.org and on the official Instagram page @wow_athens.

SNFCC Founding Donor: Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)