On Monday, December 1, the streets of Thessaloniki were illuminated by the arrival of the Olympic Flame of the MILANO CORTINA 2026 Winter Games — and the flame found a home beneath Zongolopoulos’ iconic “Umbrellas” at the New Waterfront.
The flame welcomed the people of Thessaloniki with brilliance, symbolically reinforcing the values of Olympism, peace, unity, and cultural identity.
For us, as the Zongolopoulos Foundation, this moment is especially honorable — as the Umbrellas are not merely a public artwork, but part of the life of the city and the collective memory of its citizens. The visit of the Olympic Flame highlights the cultural and symbolic significance of public space and reminds us that art and sport have the power to bring people and communities together.
