Edinburgh Art Fair (EAF) aims to unite exhibitors and visitors under a unifying theme.

Five years after the pandemic forced us into isolation and kept us at a distance from one another; we want to highlight the concept of community. This sense of togetherness, which we once took for granted, has been threatened and temporarily set aside, leaving a deep void that we have all felt.

A beautiful term from ancient Greece perfectly captures this idea: agora. But what does "agora" mean?

*The Agora*

The word "agora" (pronounced /ˈæɡərə/; Ancient Greek: ἀγορά, Romanised: agorá, meaning "market" in Modern Greek) refers to a central public space in ancient Greek city-states. It exemplifies how a city-state organized its social and political life. Literally, "agora" means "gathering place" or "assembly." The Agora was the hub of the city's athletic, artistic, commercial, social, spiritual, and political activities. The Ancient Agora of Athens is the most renowned example.

*Origins*

In the early years of Greek history (10th–4th centuries BC), free-born citizens would convene in the Agora for military purposes or to hear announcements from the ruling king or council. Over time, the Agora evolved into a marketplace where merchants set up stalls or shops to sell their goods, attracting artisans who built workshops nearby. This dual function of the Agora as both a political and commercial space led to the creation of two Greek verbs: ἀγοράζω (agorázō), meaning "I shop," and ἀγορεύω (agoreúō), meaning "I speak in public."

The Ancient Agora of Athens was located at the foot of the Acropolis and served as the main gathering place for Athenians. Members of the democratic society met here to discuss state affairs, conduct business, watch performances, and hear renowned philosophers.

Typically situated in the centre of a city or near the harbour, Agoras were characterized by colonnades—rows of long columns—and included stoae, which were long open walkways beneath these colonnades.

Edinburgh, often called the "Athens of the North," boasts its own Agora on Calton Hill. While the monument was previously viewed somewhat disparagingly as a national disgrace due to being incomplete, it was built on the same principles and in homage to the ancient Athenian Agora known as the Acropolis.

This year, we hope that exhibitors and visitors at the Edinburgh Art Fair will enjoy each other's company, immerse themselves in the art on display, and, like our ancient ancestors, celebrate the experience of community through our shared love for culture and the arts."

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Some exhibiting galleries will be participating in our Agora-themed mini-exhibition during the 2025 EAF, and we will list them as and when they register.