On Wednesday, August 27th, 2025, two distinct events took place at the iconic Nea Moni—a cultural and historical landmark of Chios—as part of the 4th Chios Festival, organized by the North Aegean Region. The day was dedicated to Byzantine heritage and contemporary artistic creation, with the public warmly embracing the activities held at two of the island’s most significant cultural sites: Nea Moni and Avgonima.
Speeches at the Nea Moni UNESCO World Heritage Site
The first event was hosted in the imposing setting of Nea Moni of Chios, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The evening opened with greetings from His Eminence the Metropolitan of Chios, Psara, and Oinousses, Markos, who emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting cultural heritage. He also read a message from the Minister of Culture, Ms. Lina Mendoni.
The event featured two notable lectures that captivated the audience:
Teresa Shawcross, Associate Professor of History at Princeton University, delivered a speech titled “Two Monks, a Prophecy, and a Little Mastic,” discussing the relationship between the island’s monks, traditions, and history during the peak of Byzantine seafaring.
Despina Ioli Kalavrezou, an internationally renowned Byzantinist with a distinguished academic career at institutions such as Harvard University, presented “Nea Moni: An Imperial Promise,” highlighting the unique character of the monument’s architecture and mosaics.
The event was presented by journalist Yiannis Tzoumas.
A Musical “Universe” in Avgonima
The evening continued in the village of Avgonima, which hosted an atmospheric musical night. The musical poem “Kyrie, Ekekraxa” (Lord, I Have Cried Unto Thee) by composer Thodoris Economou was performed, featuring the composer on the piano. He was accompanied by Antigoni Pappou, an artist specializing in wind instruments with influences from Eastern musical traditions.
The audience was introduced to a brand-new “musical universe” that took the sounds and melodies of Byzantine hymns as its starting point. Based on these melodies, the artists “painted” a world full of lyricism and emotion through their combined sound.
The event was a unique experience for both residents and visitors, earning the admiration and warm applause of the crowd.
Event Summary
- Organizer: North Aegean Region.
- Locations: Nea Moni (UNESCO Site) and Avgonima Village.
- Themes: Byzantine History, Architecture, and Contemporary Music.
- Key Figures: Metropolitan Markos, Prof. Teresa Shawcross (Princeton), Prof. Despina Ioli Kalavrezou (Harvard), Composer Thodoris Economou.
What happened in Nea Moni and Avgonyma
The cultural initiation of the 4th Chios Festival, organized by the North Aegean Region, continued on Wednesday, August 27, with two distinct events attended by a large audience.
The day was dedicated to Byzantine heritage as well as vibrant contemporary artistic creation. The public embraced the activities held at two of the island’s most significant cultural landmarks: Nea Moni and Avgonyma.
Nea Moni: An Imperial Legacy
The first event was hosted at the imposing site of Nea Moni of Chios, a UNESCO World Heritage Monument. The evening commenced with a greeting from His Eminence the Metropolitan of Chios, Psara, and Oinousses, Markos, who emphasized the importance of preserving and showcasing cultural heritage. (Video)
This was followed by two significant keynote speeches:
Teresa Shawcross, Associate Professor of History at Princeton University, discussed the connection between monks, tradition, and the island’s history with the peak of Byzantine shipping, in a talk titled: “Two Monks, a Prophecy, and a Little Mastic.” (Video)
Ioli Kalavrezou, the internationally renowned Byzantinist, presented “Nea Moni: An Imperial Promise,” highlighting the unique architectural character and the exquisite mosaics of the monument. (Video)
The event was moderated by the journalist Giannis Tzoumas.
Avgonyma: A Musical Poetry
The evening continued in the village of Avgonyma, which hosted a special musical night as part of the Chios Festival. The musical poem “Kyrie, Ekekraxsa” (Lord, I Have Cried Unto Thee) by composer Thodoris Economou was performed, featuring the composer himself on the piano, accompanied by Antigone Pappou.
The event proved to be a unique experience for residents and visitors alike, garnering widespread admiration and enthusiastic applause.
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