Marking five years of the creative journey of “THE CHIOS FESTIVAL”, this year’s anniversary edition represents a significant milestone, with His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodore II as an honored guest.
The 5th edition of “THE CHIOS FESTIVAL” is held under the auspices of UNESCO and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.
PROGRAMME OF THE CHIOS FESTIVAL 2026
MONDAY 24/8/2026, KARDAMYLA, 20.30
A multifaceted music-theatre performance entitled “Journey”, by Pantelis Lykos and Lenia Xenaki, joined by eight artists, combining narration, poetry and live music into a unified lyrical composition.
Inspired by the poetry of Odysseas Elytis, the work weaves artistic expression together with human experience. Poetry, sound and stage action form the fabric of a narrative that honours memory, loss, anticipation and hope.
Co-organized with the Kardamyla Nautical Club
TUESDAY 25/8/2026, LIMNIA – VOLISSOS, 20.30
Concert with Akylas
WEDNESDAY 26/8/2026, VOLISSOS, 21.00
- A stage production based on “Ismene” by Yannis Ritsos, from his iconic poetic cycle “Fourth Dimension”, featuring Chios-born actress Chrysa Klouva.
The production brings to the forefront the profound poetic quality and timeless power of Yannis Ritsos’ writing, in which ancient myth is transformed into a contemporary human testimony. Voice, music and silence come together to create a unified theatrical landscape that speaks of memory, loss, time and
human resilience.
Text: Yannis Ritsos
Dramaturgy & Direction: Yannis Skourletis
Music Direction: Giorgos Papadakis
Lighting Design: Giorgos Maroulakos
Accompanied by traditional musical instruments
– “High Above, Where the Castle Stands”
Traditional Greek celebration with the Poupalou–Pipidi musical ensemble
Co-organized with the Chios Neochori Cultural and Educational Association “Agios Minas”
THURSDAY 27/8/2026, CASTELLI, 19:00
- Maria Efthymiou, Professor of History, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (N.K.U.A.)
“Communal and Common-Ownership Life: An Ancient Element of Human Life”
Presented by journalist Giannis Tzoumas
Musical epilogue by Ninetta Vafeia and Christos Nezis at the Piano
FRIDAY 28/8/2026, CASTELLI, 19:00
An evening dedicated to H.B. the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodore II
Welcome address by His Eminence Metropolitan Markos of Chios, Psara and Oinousses
Welcome address by Nikolaos Papageorgiou, Ambassador of Greece to the Arab Republic of Egypt
Afroditi Doriti, President of the Association of Friends of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa “Bridge of Africa”
Calliope Limneos-Papakosta, Archaeologist, Director of the Hellenic Institute for Research of Alexandrian Civilization (H.I.R.A.C.)
Dimitris Melissanidis, President of the Euxine Club of Athens: Honorary award presented by the Governor of the North Aegean Region, Mr. Konstantinos Moutzouris in recognition of his contribution to Pontic Hellenism and the Orthodox Christian faith
Presented by journalist Giorgos Kouvaras
Musical Epilogue:
Alexandros Sarakakis, piano
Ninetta Vafeia and Christos Nezis, piano
Giorgos Kouvaras, vocals
SATURDAY 29/8/2026, CASTELLI, 19:00
Welcome address by Stavros Ath. Kalafatis, Deputy Minister of Development responsible for Research and Innovation
Welcome address by Nikiforos Diamandouros, Professor, President of the Academy of Athens.
Welcome address by Ioannis Sarakakis, President of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce
Pavlos Geroulanos, Former Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports
Gikas Hardouvelis, former Minister of Finance of the Hellenic Republic, Professor of Finance, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Greece.
Sofia Efraimoglou, Executive Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Foundation of the Hellenic World
Danae Bezantakou, President of the Propeller Club Piraeus
Alexandra Prokopiou-Mamaliga: Honorary award presented by the Governor of the North Aegean Region, Mr. Konstantinos Moutzouris in recognition of her longstanding contribution to the society of Chios
Musical Finale by Eleni Dimou
Presented by journalist Andrianna Paraskevopoulou and the President of the H.C.S, Giorgos Alexandratos
SUNDAY 30/8/2026
Inauguration of the renovated Holy Church of Saint George, in the presence of His Divine Beatitude, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodoros II and His Eminence Metropolitan Markos of Chios, Psara and Oinousses
– AGIOS GEORGIOS SYKOUSIS
- Opening Ceremony of the Holy Church of Saint George, 09:00
- Peter Sarris, Historian, Professor of Late Antique and Byzantine Studies at the University of Cambridge, 12:00
Presented by journalist Giannis Tzoumas
– HAMIDIYE MOSQUE (CHIOS CASTLE), 20:00
Opening of the exhibition of the distinguished Greek visual artist Sotiris Sorogas
MONDAY 31/8/2026, CASTELLI, 19:00
REGIONAL EVENT CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACADEMY OF ATHENS
Greeting by Stamatios Krimizis, Academician, Supervisor of the Center for Space Science and Technology, and former President of the Academy of Athens.
Simos Palios, President of the Association of Friends of the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA): Honorary award presented by the Governor of the North Aegean Region, Mr. Konstantinos Moutzouris
Alexandra Touroutoglou, MSc, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Director of Imaging Operations at Frontotemporal Disorders Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital
Stylianos E. Antonarakis, Member of the Academy of Athens, Professor Emeritus of Genetic Medicine at the University of Geneva
Georgios Chrousos, Academician – Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Endocrinology, Director of the University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, Head of the UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health and Medicine at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, President of the Hellenic Pasteur Institute
Athanasios S. Fokas, Member of the Academy of Athens, Professor of Nonlinear Mathematical Science at the University of Cambridge
Olle Kämpe, Professor of Endocrinology at Karolinska Institutet and Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine (2025)
Musical epilogue with the Chios Choir conducted by Phaidra Giannelou
Presented by Katerina Gagaki
TUESDAY 1/9/2026, CASTELLI, 19:00
Demetrios Yatromanolakis, Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Michalis Moschos, Philologist-Historian, Director, The International Hellenic Prize
Peter Sarris, Professor of Late Antique and Byzantine Studies at the University of Cambridge
George Windsor, the Earl of St Andrews, Chancellor of the Greater Manchester University
Nikos Stambolidis, Professor, Director General of the Acropolis Museum
Mimi Denissi, actress, director and producer
Screening of the documentary “The Woman Behind Elgin” “Mary Nisbet countess of Elgin”
Presented by Katerina Gagaki
WEDNESDAY 2/9/2026, CASTELLI, 19:00
Vasilis Louras, Artistic Advisor for Communications and Programming of the Greek National Opera
Presentation of the documentary on Maria Callas “Mary, Marianna, Maria – The Unknown Greek Years of Callas”
Musical evening by the distinguished soprano Christina Poulitsi, accompanied by pianist Dimitris Giakas
THURSAY 3/9/2026
– OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION ENTITLED “PRODUCTS OF THE NORTH AEGEAN”, “GEORGIOS KALOUTAS” EXHIBITION CENTRE, 12:00
Pioneering Pathways in Production and Development
Inauguration of the exhibition by Christos Staikouras former Minister of Finance and Professor of Finance at the Athens University of Economics and Business
Welcome address by Alkiviadis Kalampokis, President of the Panhellenic Exporters Association
Ilias Mamalakis, journalist, author and gastronome, will speak about the identity and values of local gastronomy
– CONFERENCE TITLED “PIONEERING PATHWAYS”
PART I, “GEORGIOS KALOUTAS” EXHIBITION CENTRE
Welcome address by Athanasios S. Fokas, Vice President of the Academy of Athens and Professor of Nonlinear Mathematical Science at the University of Cambridge
Spiros Andrianos, Co-founder of Men of Style, Business Consultant, Speaker and Author
Dr. Matina Pagoni, President of the Hellenic Society of Internal Medicine, First Vice President of OENGE, and Coordinating Director of the 3rd Department of Internal Medicine at “G. Gennimatas” General Hospital of Athens
Dr. Nikolaos Plevris, Robotic Surgery Instructor
Ioanna Chinou, Professor at the Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, National Representative for Herbal Medicinal Products at the European Medicines Agency, with a decisive contribution to the evaluation of mastiha as a natural medicinal product
Antonis Tsolomytis, Chair of the Department of Mathematics at the University of the Aegean, with significant contribution to accessible knowledge for people with visual impairments
Dr. Stefanos Chandakas, President and Founder of HOPEgenesis, an organization with a significant humanitarian mission that actively addresses Greece’s demographic challenge and supports the Greek family, particularly in remote and border regions of the country
Aliki Drakouli, President of Axion Hellas, an organization with multifaceted humanitarian work that actively supports remote and border communities in the fields of healthcare, education and infrastructure
Nikolaos Zouros, Professor of Physical Geography at the University of the Aegean, Director of the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest
Thanasis Lalas, Writer, Journalist, Visual Artist
Michalis Printzos, Greece, Country Head – The Hellenic Initiative
Dr. Nikolaos Vogiatzis, Partner at the technology investment fund Corallia Ventures, Co-founder of the Corallia innovation ecosystems
Dimitrios Bourlos, Lawyer – Specialist in Social Security Law
Moderated by journalist Korina Georgiou
PART II, PETROKARAVO OF VRODADOS, 18:30
Welcome address by Stefanos Gikas, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy
Welcome address by Evangelos Apostolakis, Admiral H.N. ret., Honorary Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, Former Minister of National Defence and Member of the Hellenic Parliament
Welcome address by Stamatis Krimizis, Academician, Supervisor of the Center for Space Science and Technology and former President of the Academy of Athens
MARITIME TOURISM
Vasileios Tefas, CEO of Chios Marina & Vice President of the Greek Marinas Association
George Vernicos, Shipowner and President of Vernicos Yachts
Ioannis Kourounis, CEO of Istion Yachting Group, President of the Greek Yachting Association
Irene Notias, Founder & Director of Project Connect – Young Professionals inthe-Making
Antonis Stelliatos, Honorary President of the Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association (EPEST)
Gina Polemi, Founder and Managing Director of Regatta Plus, President of the Hellenic Committee for Professional Yachting (HCPY) and President of the Private Yacht Representatives Association
Jean Pierre Heim, architect specializing in the design of marinas and pleasure yachts
John Faraklas, Cofounder – CEO of ALLABOUTSHIPPING
Moderated by journalist Korina Georgiou
SHIPPING
Vera Alexandropoulou – Lo, Co-founder of the Non-Profit Organization AENAOS THALASSA, Vice President of the Thalassa Foundation
Simos Palios, Shipowner
Dimitrios Fafalios, President and Director of Fafalios Shipping S.A.
Antonis Faraklas, Managing Director of Charterwell Maritime S.A. and Chartworld Shipping Corporation
George Andreadis, M&O Greece, Malta, Cyprus Director BUREAU VERITAS
Menelaos Pangalos, Managing Director, Chios Navigation (Hellas) Ltd
Moderated by Ilias Bisias, Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Management in Shipping and Maritime Transport at the University of the Aegean, Editorial Advisor at Naftika Chronika
– “SONGS OF THE SEA”
An evening of lyrical song with Ermis – Michail Athanasopoulos and Dorothea Mounte
FRIDAY 4/9/2026, ANAVATOS
- Performance by Katerina Didaskalou, “The Monologue of Clytemnestra” by Marguerite Yourcenar.
Together with Chios-born Anastasia Galerou – Vlassi
