Re-Enchanting the World
3rd New Eleusis Symposion
25-27 September 2025
Old Oil Mill Factory, Elefsina
This year’s focus will be on “Re-Enchanting the World” or rather “Re-Enchanting humans’ relationship to the World”.
Since the industrial revolution, the dominant worldview has distanced us from nature, fostering values of separation, competition, and exploitation. As highlighted by Jeremy Lent in our 2023 symposion, this paradigm has shaped a reality where nature is seen as a mere resource, and life’s purpose is reduced to wealth and power.
We now know that this worldview has led us to a critical tipping point. More and more voices are being raised in favour of re-centring attention to the evolution of values that respect all forms of life and recognise consciousness as the crucial factor in changing course.
Re-enchantment invites us to reintegrate mystery, myth, ancient wisdom, and symbolism into a world driven solely by rationality and materialism. By restoring our connection to the living world, we can pave the way for a new eco-civilisation—one where life thrives beyond the limitations of the current dominant economic system.Re-enchanting the World isn’t just a utopian idea; it is a call to action to transform our everyday experiences, fostering a world that prioritises connection, care, and a shared sense of wonder. The 2025 Eleusis symposium aims to assist the process towards this transformation, offering the insights, inspiration and tools needed for this vital metamorphosis.
Welcome
Alexandra Mitsotaki Co-founder & executive president, World Human Forum
Officials Greeting
Old Oil Mill Factory
Why Re-enchanting? Why Eleusis?
Christina Merkouri Director, Ephorate of Antiquities of West Attica
Alexandra Mitsotaki Co-founder & executive president, World Human Forum.
Old Oil Mill Factory
The Role of Psychedelics
Anthony P. Bossis Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
(virtual participation)
Christina Dalla Professor of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Ornella Corazza Professor, University of Trento (Italy) & University of Hertfordshire (UK)
Théo Giubilei Founder & Project Coordinator, PsychedeliCare Initiative
Moderated by Gina Belafonte Artivist, Co-founder of Sankofa.org
Old Oil Mill Factory
Coffee Break
Old Oil Mill Factory
Keynote Speech
Franz X. Vollenweider Director Neuropsychopharmacology & Brain Imaging, University of Zurich
Old Oil Mill Factory
From Conflict to Connection: Presence as a Path of Healing
Workshop
Gina Belafonte Artivist, Co-founder of Sankofa.org
Old Oil Mill Factory
The Arts for Healing
Vassilis Lambrinoudakis – Honorary Guest & Speaker, Professor Emeritus of Classical Archaeology, University of Athens
Apostolia Papadamaki Director/ Choreographer, Founder of Anamnesis Participatory Performances
Nicholas Yatromanolakis General Director, Policy Lab; Former Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, Hellenic Republic
Nikos Tsouchlos President, Athens Conservatoire; Professor, Department of Music Studies, Ionian University
Rarita Zbranca Program Director, Cluj Cultural Centre
(virtual participation)
Moderated by Jochen Sandig Co-Founder & Vice-President, World Human Forum
Old Oil Mill Factory
Dinner Break
Old Oil Mill Factory
"Human Requiem in Eleusis"
Film Screening and Award Ceremony
Jochen Sandig Concept & artistic Director & Stephan Talneau Film Director
Cine Eleusis
Guided tour to Eleusis archaeological site
Kalliopi Papangeli Archaeologist, Honorary Head of the Department of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities and Museums of the Ephorate of Antiquities of West Attica
Phil Cousineau Writer, filmmaker, independent scholar, writing consultant
Eleusis Archaeological Site
Fire Forest offering
Performance
Claudia Paetzold Founder, Consult Curate Create
Cecilia Bengolea Artist and Dancer
Eleusis Archaeological Site
Re-enchanting the Economy i. Impact Investment
Kostis Tselenis Founder & Chairman of the Board, Hellenic Impact Investing Network
Old Oil Mill Factory
Re-enchanting the Economy ii. From waste to treasure
Professor Maria Loizidou National Technical University of Athens
Maria Kikidou Urban Planner -Mind the waste
Georgios Priniotakis Professor of Industrial Design and Production, Director of the Laboratory of Design and Development of Innovative Knitted Textiles and Garments, University of West Attica
Christiana Gardikioti Founder and team leader, Meraki People
Moderated by Nicholas Yatromanolakis General Director, Policy Lab; Former Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, Hellenic Republic
Old Oil Mill Factory
Lunch Break
Old Oil Mill Factory
Re-enchanting the Economy iii. Inspired by nature
in collaboration with Athens Columbia Global Center
Ruth DeFries Professor of Ecology and Sustainable Development, Columbia University
Emmanuel I. Stratakis Research Director, Acting Director, Institute of Electronic Structure and Lasers Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas and Department of Physics, University Of Crete
Vasilis Stenos Founder & CEO, Solmeyea
Moderated by Stefanos Gandolfo Director, Athens Columbia Global Center
Old Oil Mill Factory
Keynote Speech
Daniel A. Barber Professor & Chair of Architecture History and Theory, Technical University of Eindhoven
Old Oil Mill Factory
Coffee Break
Old Oil Mill Factory
Re-enchanting Neighbourhoods
Adriana Grigoriou Projects Coordinator, CAN (Community Arts Network)
Angeliki Lambiri Director of Strategic Planning & Operations, World Human Forum -Care manifesto
Jacob Moe Founder & Director, Archipelago Network
Victoria Peill Founder, Duara Education & Our WonderHouse Nairobi
Moderated by Myrto Vounatsou Artistic & Creative Director, World Human Forum
Old Oil Mill Factory
Re-enchanting our Relationship with food
Antonia TrichopoulouHonorary Guest & Speaker, Member, Academy of Athens; Head, Academy of Athens Centre for Public Health Research and Education; Professor Adjunct, Yale University; Professor Emerita, University of Athens School of Medicine
Jehangir Mehta Chief Mindfulness Officer, Gourmet Dining; Chef/Owner, Me and You
Maria Loi Chef, Loi Estiatorio; Founder, creator & chief curator, Loi Food Products
Moderated by Jean Gourdain Co-founder, Eylo
Old Oil Mill Factory
Mindfulness - Enchanting the Senses
Workshop
Jehangir Mehta Chief Mindfulness Officer, Gourmet Dining; Chef/Owner, Me and You
Old Oil Mill Factory
Dinner Break
Old Oil Mill Factory
Psychelectronika Concert
Old Oil Mill Factory
Fire Forest Workshops
Curated by: Claudia Paetzold Founder, Curating Evolution
1. Nano Landscaping
Plant nursery workshop
Facilitator: James Godfrey-Faussett
Duration: 45 minutes
Number of participants: 15
Forest maker James Godfrey-Faussett will teach a hands-on plant nursery workshop laying the foundation of the fire resilient forest by seeding several of the climax species. Participants will learn about the successional multi seeding methodology, receive an introduction to seed harvesting and seed coating and plant seeds into seed beds which will grow into saplings that will be planted as part of the actual forest. The aim is to allow the community to get in touch with their ability to partake in the regeneration of life and to become familiar with the basic skill set for planting.
2. Sensorial Landscaping
Movement workshop with Cecilia Bengolea
Duration: 45 minutes
Number of participants: 15
Artist and dancer Cecilia Bengolea will impart a movement workshop, sharing breathing practices as well as a basic sequence including the gesture to seed the forest. The aim is to allow the participants to connect with their creative imagination and to understand how their movement contributes to shaping the landscape.
Re-enchanting Democracy
In collaboration with Athens Democracy Forum
Hélène Landemore Professor of Political Science, Yale University
Lex Paulson Director of Executive Programs, UM6P School of Collective Intelligence (Morocco); Lecturer in advocacy, Sciences Po-Paris
Moderated by Elina Makri General Manager, Democracy & Culture Foundation
Old Oil Mill Factory
Children: Humanity's dream tank
Kiran Bir Sethi Founder & Chairperson, Design for Change
(virtual participation)
Spyros Doukakis Assistant Professor, Ionian University; Chair, Hellenic Institute of Educational Policy
Eirini Tsavala Director, Primary Education of the Cyclades; “Myth2Space” network
Sophie Dand Eden Engagement co-creator
(virtual participation)
Mariane Poncelet Executive Vice-President & Founder Member, International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation
(virtual participation)
Moderated by Alexandra Mitsotaki Co-founder & executive president, World Human Forum
Old Oil Mill Factory
Lunch Break
Old Oil Mill Factory
Transforming Work in order to re-enchant the World
Gary Bolles Global Fellow for Transformation, Singularity University
Keynote speaker
Marlis Petersen Soprano
Amélie Joannidès Dancer
Old Oil Mill Factory
Moving and reconnecting with our inner being: a path through the Body
Workshop
Amélie Joannidès Dancer
Old Oil Mill Factory
Coffee Break
Old Oil Mill Factory
Re enchanting your inner self
IVI© Model was supported by The Helidoni Foundation
Irini Papaligouras-Bataille Co-founder & Vice-president, World Human Forum; Co-creator, Inner Values Incubator
Old Oil Mill Factory
The Art of Pilgrimage
Phil Cousineau Writer, filmmaker, independent scholar, writing consultant
Old Oil Mill Factory
The Future of Eleusis
Part A: A Vision for the City
Christina Kefalogianni Deputy Regional Governor of Attica
Michail Marmarinos Artistic Director of the Athens-Epidaurus Festival, General Artistic Director of Elefsina European Capital of Culture 2023
in conversation with Alexandra Mitsotaki Co-founder & executive president, World Human Forum
Part B: Rekindling the Spirit of the Place
Pavlos Kavouras Emeritus Professor, Department of Music Studies, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; UNESCO chair on Intangible Cultural Heritage
in conversation with Alexandra Mitsotaki Co-founder & executive president, World Human Forum
Old Oil Mill Factory
Coffee Break
Old Oil Mill Factory
Sacred Paths concert
From the Mysteries of Eleusis to Byzantine Chant and the Mevlevi Dervish Tradition
Whirling Dervishes of Istanbul
Association of the Constantinopolitan Friends of Music in Athens
Lyra soloist Sokratis Sinopoulos
Narrator Michail Marmarinos
Eleusis Archaeological Site
On Monday 29 September 2025, 20:30,
the Sacred Paths concert will be staged at
Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall.
Throughout the 3 days of the symposion:
2nd artistic workshop “On Friendship and Making”
with Maria Papadimitriou
arTogether
One long blank canvas, many painting hands.
Be part of one collective work of Art
Delphic Cube
A new tool, a new approach, a new methodology. The Delphic Cube is triggering a different mindset.
Eylo
Health and Nutrition Coach
Thursday 25 September | 18:30
Workshop: From Conflict to Connection: Presence as a Path of Healing
With Gina Belafonte Artivist, Co-founder of Sankofa.org
Friday, 26 September | 18:30
Workshop: Mindfulness – Enchanting the Senses
With Jehangir Mehta Chief Mindfulness Officer, Gourmet Dining, Chef/Owner, Me and You
Saturday 27 September | 09:00
Fire Forest Workshops
Curated by: Claudia Paetzold Founder, Curating Evolution
1. Nano Landscaping
Plant nursery workshop
Facilitator: James Godfrey-Faussett
Duration: 45 minutes
Number of participants: 15
Forest maker James Godfrey-Faussett will teach a hands-on plant nursery workshop laying the foundation of the fire resilient forest by seeding several of the climax species. Participants will learn about the successional multi seeding methodology, receive an introduction to seed harvesting and seed coating and plant seeds into seed beds which will grow into saplings that will be planted as part of the actual forest. The aim is to allow the community to get in touch with their ability to partake in the regeneration of life and to become familiar with the basic skill set for planting.
2. Sensorial Landscaping
Movement workshop with Cecilia Bengolea
Duration: 45 minutes
Number of participants: 15
Artist and dancer Cecilia Bengolea will impart a movement workshop, sharing breathing practices as well as a basic sequence including the gesture to seed the forest. The aim is to allow the participants to connect with their creative imagination and to understand how their movement contributes to shaping the landscape.
Saturday 27 September | 15:30
Moving and reconnecting with our inner being : a path through the Body
Workshop with Amélie Joannidès Dancer
Professor and Chair of Architecture History and Theory, Technical University of Eindhoven
Artivist, Founder of Sankofa.org
Artist & Dancer
Global Fellow for Transformation, Singularity University
Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine; Department of Classics and Religious Studies, University of Ottawa
Professor, University of Trento (Italy) & University of Hertfordshire (UK)
Writer, filmmaker, independent scholar, writing consultant
Professor of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; President, Hellenic Brain Council
Director, SR Creative Consultancy, Co-creator Eden Engagement
Professor of ecology and sustainable development, Columbia University; Co-founding dean, Columbia Climate School
Derviches Tourneurs d’Istanbul
Sufi music and dance
Assistant Professor, Ionian University; Chair, Hellenic Institute of Educational Policy
Director, Athens Columbia Global Center
Founder & Project Coordinator, PsychedeliCare Initiative
Co-founder, Eylo
Projects Coordinator, CAN (Community Arts Network)
Dancer
Emeritus Professor, Department of Music Studies, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; UNESCO chair on Intangible Cultural Heritage
Deputy Regional Governor of Attica
Urban Planner – Partner at Place Identity Clusters
Director of Strategic Planning & Operations, World Human Forum
Professor Emeritus of Classical Archaeology, University of Athens
Professor of Political Science, Yale University
Chef, Loi Estiatorio; Founder, creator & chief curator, Loi Food Products
Emerita Professor at the School of Chemical Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)
General Manager, Democracy & Culture Foundation
Theatre Director, Artistic Director of the Athens Epidaurus Festival
Chief Mindfulness Officer, Gourmet Dining; Chef/Owner, Me and You
Director, Ephorate of Antiquities of West Attica
President & Co-founder, World Human Forum
Founder, Archipelago Network
Founder, Consult Curate Create
Director/ Choreographer, Founder of Anamnesis Participatory Performances
Contemporary visual artist, professor of Visual Arts at University of Thessaly - Department of Architecture
Co-founder & Vice-president, World Human Forum; Co-creator, Inner Values Incubator
Archaeologist, Honorary Head of the Department of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities and Museums of the Ephorate of Antiquities of West Attica
Director of Executive Programs, UM6P School of Collective Intelligence (Morocco); Lecturer in advocacy, Sciences Po-Paris
Founder, Duara Education & Our WonderHouse
Soprano
Executive Vice-President & Founder Member, International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation
Professor of Industrial Design and Production, Director of the Laboratory of Design and Development of Innovative Knitted Textiles and Garments, University of West Attica
Photographer
Co-founder, Vice-president, World Human Forum
Founder & Chairperson, Design for Change
Founder and CEO, Solmeyea
Research Director & Acting Director, Institute of Electronic Structure (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH)
Superwave
Leonidas Danezos & Tasos Sotiriou
Musicians, Sound engineers
Filmmaker
Member, Academy of Athens; Head, Academy of Athens Centre for Public Health Research and Education; Professor Adjunct, Yale University; Professor Emerita, University of Athens School of Medicine
Director, Primary Education of the Cyclades; “Myth2Space” network
Managing Partner, Swiss Impact Office; Board Chair, Hellenic Impact Investing Network
President, Athens Conservatoire; Professor, Department of Music Studies, Ionian University
Prof. Dr. Franz X. Vollenweider
Professor of Psychiatry, University of Zurich; Director of the Brain and Consciousness Unit, Psychiatric University Hospital Zürich
Artistic & Creative Director, World Human Forum
Founder & General Director, Policy Lab; Former Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, Hellenic Republic
Program Director, Cluj Cultural Centre
The 3rd New Eleusis Symposion is supported by:
Organised by
Main sponsor
Sponsors
Supported by
In collaboration with
Official airline partner
Media sponsors
Special thanks
The session Re-enchanting the Economy – Inspired by Nature is held in collaboration with
The session Re-enchanting Democracy is organised in collaboration with
IVI© Model was supported by
The Fire Forest offering is organised with the support of
