Over 100 documenta 14 artists condemn attack on Thessaloniki mayor

More than 100 artists involved in documenta 14 have penned a letter denouncing the violent attack on Yiannis Boutaris, the 75-year-old mayor of Thessaloniki, Greece. Boutaris was assaulted by right-wing extremists while attending a ceremony honoring victims of a World War I battle against the Turks in the Black Sea. He sustained injuries to his face, head, back, and legs, necessitating several days of hospitalization. This incident is attributed to Boutaris' progressive views on immigration, LGBTQ rights, and gender equality, as well as his opposition to the nationalist party Golden Dawn. The letter, featuring signatures from artists like Maria Eichhorn, Paul B. Preciado, and documenta 14’s artistic director Adam Szymczyk, expresses solidarity and condemns the violence, emphasizing Boutaris' commitment to fostering diversity in Thessaloniki. It also reflects on the city's cultural growth during documenta 14 and concludes with an optimistic note that history favors the just.