On May 13th, TEDxAthens under the title 'Edge' took place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

Do we live on the edge of the unknown? In a global reality characterized by uncertainty in politics, economy, even society itself, emotion and personal belief seem to be more influential in shaping public opinion than objective facts. Are we heading further and further away from what was once perceived the middle or are we in the forefront of a brand-new beginning? While economy turns introvert, the rising of wellbeing expands our understanding on human nature. Where science & technology never stop triggering the imagination, re-emerging beliefs challenge our perception. When exploring new planets, we struggle with sustaining our own. On the hypothesis that all scenarios are equally sound and possible, hope and truth are dancing together as we enter a new frontier for humanity.

Guests from all fields were invited to make a presentation, performance or workshop on one of the three platforms: the Main Stage, the Book Stage and the Lab. The program that started at 9 a.m. and went on into the night provided plenty of activities, opportunities for networking, thought-provoking talks as well as artistic performances and breaks in between, lush with coffee, soft drinks, and snacks.

Looking forward to its 70th Anniversary in 2018, the Fulbright Foundation partnered with TEDxAthens to contribute speakers to the event. Marianthi Liapi, Research Director of the Educational Pla(y)ces Group at the Transformable Intelligent Environments Laboratory (TUC TIE Lab), based in the School of Architecture at the Technical University of Crete, and Project Manager of the lab’s interdisciplinary research programs in Architecture and Education, took her place on the Main Stage and talked passionately about the need for adults to look through the eyes of children.

Poet and translator Katerina Anghelaki-Rook, another Fulbright Alumna, was equally one of the 'Edge' TEDxAthens 2017 speakers.