On the occasion of inaccurate posts (as it describes them) regarding the cost of the DYPA pavilion at the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair, the service clarifies the following:
The claim that “the pavilion cost 300,000 euros” is absolutely false.
The relevant contract amounts to 153,000 euros excluding VAT and 189,720 euros including VAT. This amount, in fact, does not concern only the construction of the pavilion. It covers an overall project that includes:
- the construction and full equipment of a 150 sq. m. pavilion,
- the print materials, visuals, and special constructions,
- LedWall 22 sq. m., 75" screen, lighting, audio equipment, and microphone installation,
- photographic and video coverage,
- the creation of three separate videos,
- the production and branding of 3,000 USB sticks,
- as well as the organization of events during the TIF.
The assignment was made through an open electronic tender competition, with the sole criterion being the lowest price. The initial budget was 180,000 euros excluding VAT and the final price was set at 27,000 euros lower, that is, with a 15% discount.
Although the contract provided for four events, ultimately five were held, and an additional construction was also made to support translation, without any increase in the contractual price.
Criticism is legitimate and always useful. The circulation, however, of a non-existent amount of 300,000 euros, which is in fact presented as the cost of only the pavilion, is not criticism. It is misinformation.
All the financial and technical details of the process are public, posted, and available to every interested party. Before sensational figures are reproduced, a simple check of the official documents is enough.