Sculptors of international repute, such as Edward Fleming, Giorgie Cpajak and Kamen Tanev will participate in the 2nd Greek Marble Initiative, which takes place on the premises of Myró Antiques House, in Souroti, Thessaloniki, northern Greece. The founder of Myró Antiques House, Stavros Myronidis, says the artists have the opportunity to create in an environment of freedom, without the pressure of time and deadlines, choosing a theme that will inspire them. Myronidis also provides accommodation and the artists can take a break whenever they please. More than 1,000 sculptors have filed applications for the project, but only 30-40 will be chosen to participate. The Greek Marble Initiative attracts tourists to the area, as Norwegians visitors have already rented houses in Agios Antonios, a village next to Souroti, to be able to see the sculptors at work. Myronidis says that last year’s inaugural event was the largest symposium of sculpture ever held in Greece and one of the most important worldwide. In the 1st Greek Marble Initiative, about 26 sculptors took place, creating 110 monument-size works and about 400 small sculptures. The 22-year-old George Spyridonof, who lives in Agios Antonios, was invited to work in last year’s event as a blacksmith to help the sculptors. The young man, who is studying mechanics, was fascinated by sculpture and began to create his own works, which showed that he has great talent. Myronidis aims to make the area a pole of attraction for sculptors by offering a creative environment, while at the same time contributing to the economic development of the surrounding villages.