The Sea
Three days dedicated to the cultural and natural heritage of Paros. A celebration of the place and its people. On its 6th year, Paros Festival guides us around the island projecting its various aspects and invites us to discover it through a series of cultural events and activities. This year, let’s reflect upon what we regard as given and take for granted when it comes to an island, the blue around us, the sea. What is involved in not being attached to any other land? What is to be an islander? How was the History of the Greeks connected to the seas, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea? How significant has the sailing spirit been in the formation of our soul, our very existence in relation to the environment, the technology and the human knowledge? Art exhibitions, guided tours, educational programs and experiential workshops, music performances and concerts will be leading our sight and our thought for three days. Let’s look at the sea once more and redefine our relationship with it. Admission to all events is free of charge. |
Friday 14 . 07
11:00
Short narratives | The Holy Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani
Stories between History and Myth inside the Holy Pilgrimage of Ekatontapyliani: It all started with a seastorm... Action for children aged 10-15, limited number of participants. Design – Narrative: Eleni Arkouli, Katerina Panagaki. Based on Dimitra Sofianou's texts from the book "Paros Church of a hundred doors 1700 Years".
11:00
“Tracks of water III” | Meeting point: Post Office
In the framework of the 3rd film workshop for teenagers on the theme “Tracks of water III” an open visit to the area of tertiary wastewater treatment, BIOKA in Parikia is organized. The visit aims at disseminating information about its catalytic contribution to the protection of the marine environment. In collaboration with the Public Water Company of Paros.
19:00
Boat ride | Meeting point: Vintzi, Parikia Port
Boat ride in the enchanting bay of Parikia with traditional boats at sunset.
20:30
Following the music | Meeting point: St. Nikolaos Chapel - Parikia port
Traditional island music on the move. We walk along the settlement following older and newer
music tunes with musicians Manolis Delentas, Fanouris Petropoulos and Antonia Nika.
21:00
Screening of an archival film and presentation by Petros Avlitis | Municipal Library “Giannis Gikas”
Collector Petros Avlitis presents a different Paros through the 8-minute film made in the summer
of 1949 by Paros’ aficionado Antonios Fornaros, showing everyday snapshots of Parikia.
21:00 - 23:00
With the back turned toward the land | Public Art Space
Curating by: Natasa Biza Meeting with the members of the Paros Photography Group in the framework of the photography exhibition that seeks to capture the essence of the sea in all its changing moods.
Exhibition duration: 14-16/7.
22:00
Concert “Archilohos’ poetry” - Nikos Sarris | Archaeological Museum Pedestrian Precinct
The poetry of Archilochos, a great lyric poet from Ancient Paros translated and composed by Nikos Sarris. The voices are Pantelis Thalassinos, Spyros Pavlakis, Varvara Biza, Thodoris Kritikos, Manolis Ragousis and the musicians Giorgos Ventouris - double bass, Giorgos Chronopoulos - guitar, Stratis Psaradellis - lyre, Stefanos Dormparakis - qanun, Stratis Skourkeas - percussions.
Saturday 15 . 07
10:00
“Protected secrets, well hidden in water” | Livadia beach
Educational activity. Children understand the techniques of underwater archaeology and try to become marine archaeologists themselves! With archaeologist Vasiliki Kyprouli. For children aged 8-13, limited number of participants.
10:30
Guided walking tour of Parikia Historic Settlement | Meeting point: Ekatontapyliani Square
With the Licensed tourist guide Avgi Kalogianni [in English].
19:30
Fairytales “On board a little boat” | Municipal Library “Giannis Gikas”
Fairy tales of the sea and seasongs. Narrative and musical composition by Virginia Kokkinou and Irini Nikolopoulou.
For children aged over 4.
20:00
Lecture “Alien species and the future of the Greek Seas” | Public Art Space
What are alien species? How did they get here? How do they affect our life? How are the seas of tomorrow going to look like? With Michail Ragkousis, Ph.D. Cand., Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean.
20:30
Town made of music
Wander around Parikia following the sounds of the musical groups scattered throughout the city,
bringing life to every corner in unexpected ways. Mediterranean sounds | Panagia Septemvriani | Stefanos Dorparakis - qanun, Stratis Skourkeas - percussions , Traditional duo | Parikia Castle Tower | Martha Mavroidi - lafta & voice, Stratis Psaradellis - lyre , Jazz Duo | Agora | Giorgos Chronopoulos - guitar, Giorgos Ventouris - double bass
21:00 - 23:00
“Paros of the Past through the photographic lens of Maria Chroussaki” | Aegean Center for the Fine Arts
Co-organised by Paros Festival and The National Gallery-Alexandros Soutsos Museum.
Meeting with Elpiniki Meidani, Curator of the National Gallery-Museum of Alexandros Soutsos, in the framework of the exhibition of a series of unknown photographs by Maria Chroussaki (1899-1972) from her visits to Paros in the 1930s and early 1950s. Exhibition duration: 14-16/7.
22:30
Cheimerinoi Kolymvites | Frankish Monastery
The group’s distinctive music and unique lyrics will take us on a seducing journey over the optimistic waves of the sea. Participants: Argyris Bakirtzis - voice, Kostas Vombolos - accordion, Michalis Siganidis - double bass & voice, Kostas Sideris - tzouras & voice, Dionysios Roussos - guitar & voice, Babis Papadopoulos - guitar, Haris Papadopoulos - bouzouki.
Sunday 16 . 07
10:30
“By the sea, the old, the new, the eternal” | Meeting point: Parikia seafront
An experiential walk with tourist guide Georgia Papadopoulou, focusing on the sea and islandic life from Greek antiquity to the present day [in Greek].
19:00 - 20:30
Once upon a time | Meeting point: Ekatontapyliani square
Interactive discovery game for all ages in the traditional settlement. Once upon a time it was all different... A game of yesterday and today. Design - Creative writing: Katerina Panagaki.
20:00 - 23:00
Parallel mappings: who owns the beach? | Holland Tunnel Gallery
Vivian Emmanuilidou, Konstantinos Mavris, Dimitra Skandali. Curated by: Natasa Biza / Exhibition duration: 14-16/7. Meeting with the artists of the contemporary art exhibition. Three maps of the island with the sea as starting point.
20:00
Coastal place names | Boundaraki
Presentation of the research carried out by members of the Paros Festival team concerning coastal place names used at various times on the island. Meetings with fishermen, boat tours and maritime storytelling helped to record the different names of the coasts which are often based on their geographical features, historical events or usage of each area. Place name giving practices associated with coastal areas reflect the rich history and traditions of the land. Coordination: Lena Stefanou, PhD, Archaeologist – Museologist, Hellenic Open University and Aris Anagnostopoulos, PhD, Anthropologist – Historian / HERITΛGE. Co-organisation: Nautical Club of Naoussa Paros “Naias” - Cultural Association of Agkairia.
21:30
Express Scopelitis, 68’ | Boundaraki
Documentary screening. A true marine life rescue capsule. A small boat serves the islands of the remote Lesser Cyclades daily all year round. The daily life of sailors and islanders during the winter months, when the tourist gaze is absent, is shown. Direction, camera, editing: Emilia Milou / Music: Alkinoos Ioannidis / Sound Design: Valia Tserou / Production: A&G Films.
22:30
Stathis Koukoularis & Sofrano | Panagia Ekatontapyliani Square
Traditional feast. One of the greatest violin masters in Greece, Stathis Koukoularis, with over 60 years of continuous presence in the field of music, collaborates on stage with Martha Mavroidi (lafta - voice) and the Sofrano music group presenting a repertory from Asia Minor and the Aegean. Participants: Dionysia Papouli - voice, Giorgos Ventouris - double bass, Spyros Balios - lute, Stratis Skourkeas - percussions.
14 , 15 , 16 / 7 / 23
19:00 – 23:00 During the festival, the following exhibitions are being held.
Exhibitions
“Paros of the Past through the photographic lens of Maria Chroussaki” | Aegean Center for the Fine Arts
Co-organised by Paros Festival and The National Gallery-Alexandros Soutsos Museum.
Curator: Elpiniki Meidani, Curator of the National Gallery-Museum of Alexandros Soutsos.
A series of unknown photographs by Maria Chroussaki (1899-1972) from her visits to Paros in the 1930s and early 1950s are exhibited at the Aegean Center for the Fine Arts. Her personal archive belongs to the National Gallery-Museum of Alexandros Soutsos.
Parallel mappings: who owns the beach? | Holland Tunnel Gallery
Vivian Emmanouilidou, Konstantinos Mavris, Dimitra Skandali.
Curated by: Natasa Biza. Contemporary art exhibition. Three maps of the island with the sea as starting point. Each artist guides the visitor through different meaningful routes, on issues related to the natural environment, anthropo-geography and socio-economic transformation.
With the back turned toward the land | Public Art Space
Curated by: Natasa Biza. An exhibition of photographs by the members of the Paros Photography Group seeking to capture the essence of the sea in all its changing moods.
Open to visitors
Two mansions of Parikia
Two of the private mansions of Parikia will be open to the public over three-day Paros Festival, the Varouha and Azari house, both of them exemplary buildings of different architectural styles and eras. Experiencing the space of the mansions aims at revealing their architectural values and the stories of the people who lived in them.
Nine post-byzantine churches in the old town of Parikia
With these significant chapels open and available to visitors, the Medieval History of the Castle and the old settlement of Parikia comes to the attention of the public. As they are privately owned, they only open once a year on the name’s sake of the Saint they are dedicated to and so the public rarely has the chance to visit them. Local religious rituals and customs as well as their particular architectur- al features are described in the material prepared for visitors.
School Life Museum
The School museum of the 1st Elementary School of Parikia was founded in 2016 on the initiative of the school director N. Marinakis. It is housed in three sections of the school containing photographs mainly from the 1960s, historical documents and archives, old books, school textbooks, historical objects and a small mineral collection.
Parallel Action | 8 - 31 / 7 | 19:30 - 22:00
We set sail... - Zarpamos / Cycladic Arts Residency Programs, Alyki
A collaboration with the Cycladic Arts Artist Hosting Center of Aliki Paros and the
art collective Artiatx from Bilbao, Spain. The contemporary art exhibition wishes to initiate a dialogue between the two countries focusing on the Mediterranean traditions of fishing, which have always marked their coastal and insular character. Javier Arbizu (Spain), Elli Velliou (Greece), Marta Lorenza- na (Spain), Dimitra Skandali (Greece), Erato Tagaridis (Greece) participate in the exhibition.
Curated by Cycladic Arts (Greece) and Artiatx (Spain) Artist Hospitality Center.
11:00
Short narratives | The Holy Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani
Stories between History and Myth inside the Holy Pilgrimage of Ekatontapyliani: It all started with a seastorm... Action for children aged 10-15, limited number of participants. Design – Narrative: Eleni Arkouli, Katerina Panagaki. Based on Dimitra Sofianou's texts from the book "Paros Church of a hundred doors 1700 Years".
11:00
“Tracks of water III” | Meeting point: Post Office
In the framework of the 3rd film workshop for teenagers on the theme “Tracks of water III” an open visit to the area of tertiary wastewater treatment, BIOKA in Parikia is organized. The visit aims at disseminating information about its catalytic contribution to the protection of the marine environment. In collaboration with the Public Water Company of Paros.
19:00
Boat ride | Meeting point: Vintzi, Parikia Port
Boat ride in the enchanting bay of Parikia with traditional boats at sunset.
20:30
Following the music | Meeting point: St. Nikolaos Chapel - Parikia port
Traditional island music on the move. We walk along the settlement following older and newer
music tunes with musicians Manolis Delentas, Fanouris Petropoulos and Antonia Nika.
21:00
Screening of an archival film and presentation by Petros Avlitis | Municipal Library “Giannis Gikas”
Collector Petros Avlitis presents a different Paros through the 8-minute film made in the summer
of 1949 by Paros’ aficionado Antonios Fornaros, showing everyday snapshots of Parikia.
21:00 - 23:00
With the back turned toward the land | Public Art Space
Curating by: Natasa Biza Meeting with the members of the Paros Photography Group in the framework of the photography exhibition that seeks to capture the essence of the sea in all its changing moods.
Exhibition duration: 14-16/7.
22:00
Concert “Archilohos’ poetry” - Nikos Sarris | Archaeological Museum Pedestrian Precinct
The poetry of Archilochos, a great lyric poet from Ancient Paros translated and composed by Nikos Sarris. The voices are Pantelis Thalassinos, Spyros Pavlakis, Varvara Biza, Thodoris Kritikos, Manolis Ragousis and the musicians Giorgos Ventouris - double bass, Giorgos Chronopoulos - guitar, Stratis Psaradellis - lyre, Stefanos Dormparakis - qanun, Stratis Skourkeas - percussions.
Saturday 15 . 07
10:00
“Protected secrets, well hidden in water” | Livadia beach
Educational activity. Children understand the techniques of underwater archaeology and try to become marine archaeologists themselves! With archaeologist Vasiliki Kyprouli. For children aged 8-13, limited number of participants.
10:30
Guided walking tour of Parikia Historic Settlement | Meeting point: Ekatontapyliani Square
With the Licensed tourist guide Avgi Kalogianni [in English].
19:30
Fairytales “On board a little boat” | Municipal Library “Giannis Gikas”
Fairy tales of the sea and seasongs. Narrative and musical composition by Virginia Kokkinou and Irini Nikolopoulou.
For children aged over 4.
20:00
Lecture “Alien species and the future of the Greek Seas” | Public Art Space
What are alien species? How did they get here? How do they affect our life? How are the seas of tomorrow going to look like? With Michail Ragkousis, Ph.D. Cand., Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean.
20:30
Town made of music
Wander around Parikia following the sounds of the musical groups scattered throughout the city,
bringing life to every corner in unexpected ways. Mediterranean sounds | Panagia Septemvriani | Stefanos Dorparakis - qanun, Stratis Skourkeas - percussions , Traditional duo | Parikia Castle Tower | Martha Mavroidi - lafta & voice, Stratis Psaradellis - lyre , Jazz Duo | Agora | Giorgos Chronopoulos - guitar, Giorgos Ventouris - double bass
21:00 - 23:00
“Paros of the Past through the photographic lens of Maria Chroussaki” | Aegean Center for the Fine Arts
Co-organised by Paros Festival and The National Gallery-Alexandros Soutsos Museum.
Meeting with Elpiniki Meidani, Curator of the National Gallery-Museum of Alexandros Soutsos, in the framework of the exhibition of a series of unknown photographs by Maria Chroussaki (1899-1972) from her visits to Paros in the 1930s and early 1950s. Exhibition duration: 14-16/7.
22:30
Cheimerinoi Kolymvites | Frankish Monastery
The group’s distinctive music and unique lyrics will take us on a seducing journey over the optimistic waves of the sea. Participants: Argyris Bakirtzis - voice, Kostas Vombolos - accordion, Michalis Siganidis - double bass & voice, Kostas Sideris - tzouras & voice, Dionysios Roussos - guitar & voice, Babis Papadopoulos - guitar, Haris Papadopoulos - bouzouki.
Sunday 16 . 07
10:30
“By the sea, the old, the new, the eternal” | Meeting point: Parikia seafront
An experiential walk with tourist guide Georgia Papadopoulou, focusing on the sea and islandic life from Greek antiquity to the present day [in Greek].
19:00 - 20:30
Once upon a time | Meeting point: Ekatontapyliani square
Interactive discovery game for all ages in the traditional settlement. Once upon a time it was all different... A game of yesterday and today. Design - Creative writing: Katerina Panagaki.
20:00 - 23:00
Parallel mappings: who owns the beach? | Holland Tunnel Gallery
Vivian Emmanuilidou, Konstantinos Mavris, Dimitra Skandali. Curated by: Natasa Biza / Exhibition duration: 14-16/7. Meeting with the artists of the contemporary art exhibition. Three maps of the island with the sea as starting point.
20:00
Coastal place names | Boundaraki
Presentation of the research carried out by members of the Paros Festival team concerning coastal place names used at various times on the island. Meetings with fishermen, boat tours and maritime storytelling helped to record the different names of the coasts which are often based on their geographical features, historical events or usage of each area. Place name giving practices associated with coastal areas reflect the rich history and traditions of the land. Coordination: Lena Stefanou, PhD, Archaeologist – Museologist, Hellenic Open University and Aris Anagnostopoulos, PhD, Anthropologist – Historian / HERITΛGE. Co-organisation: Nautical Club of Naoussa Paros “Naias” - Cultural Association of Agkairia.
21:30
Express Scopelitis, 68’ | Boundaraki
Documentary screening. A true marine life rescue capsule. A small boat serves the islands of the remote Lesser Cyclades daily all year round. The daily life of sailors and islanders during the winter months, when the tourist gaze is absent, is shown. Direction, camera, editing: Emilia Milou / Music: Alkinoos Ioannidis / Sound Design: Valia Tserou / Production: A&G Films.
22:30
Stathis Koukoularis & Sofrano | Panagia Ekatontapyliani Square
Traditional feast. One of the greatest violin masters in Greece, Stathis Koukoularis, with over 60 years of continuous presence in the field of music, collaborates on stage with Martha Mavroidi (lafta - voice) and the Sofrano music group presenting a repertory from Asia Minor and the Aegean. Participants: Dionysia Papouli - voice, Giorgos Ventouris - double bass, Spyros Balios - lute, Stratis Skourkeas - percussions.
14 , 15 , 16 / 7 / 23
19:00 – 23:00 During the festival, the following exhibitions are being held.
Exhibitions
“Paros of the Past through the photographic lens of Maria Chroussaki” | Aegean Center for the Fine Arts
Co-organised by Paros Festival and The National Gallery-Alexandros Soutsos Museum.
Curator: Elpiniki Meidani, Curator of the National Gallery-Museum of Alexandros Soutsos.
A series of unknown photographs by Maria Chroussaki (1899-1972) from her visits to Paros in the 1930s and early 1950s are exhibited at the Aegean Center for the Fine Arts. Her personal archive belongs to the National Gallery-Museum of Alexandros Soutsos.
Parallel mappings: who owns the beach? | Holland Tunnel Gallery
Vivian Emmanouilidou, Konstantinos Mavris, Dimitra Skandali.
Curated by: Natasa Biza. Contemporary art exhibition. Three maps of the island with the sea as starting point. Each artist guides the visitor through different meaningful routes, on issues related to the natural environment, anthropo-geography and socio-economic transformation.
With the back turned toward the land | Public Art Space
Curated by: Natasa Biza. An exhibition of photographs by the members of the Paros Photography Group seeking to capture the essence of the sea in all its changing moods.
Open to visitors
Two mansions of Parikia
Two of the private mansions of Parikia will be open to the public over three-day Paros Festival, the Varouha and Azari house, both of them exemplary buildings of different architectural styles and eras. Experiencing the space of the mansions aims at revealing their architectural values and the stories of the people who lived in them.
Nine post-byzantine churches in the old town of Parikia
With these significant chapels open and available to visitors, the Medieval History of the Castle and the old settlement of Parikia comes to the attention of the public. As they are privately owned, they only open once a year on the name’s sake of the Saint they are dedicated to and so the public rarely has the chance to visit them. Local religious rituals and customs as well as their particular architectur- al features are described in the material prepared for visitors.
School Life Museum
The School museum of the 1st Elementary School of Parikia was founded in 2016 on the initiative of the school director N. Marinakis. It is housed in three sections of the school containing photographs mainly from the 1960s, historical documents and archives, old books, school textbooks, historical objects and a small mineral collection.
Parallel Action | 8 - 31 / 7 | 19:30 - 22:00
We set sail... - Zarpamos / Cycladic Arts Residency Programs, Alyki
A collaboration with the Cycladic Arts Artist Hosting Center of Aliki Paros and the
art collective Artiatx from Bilbao, Spain. The contemporary art exhibition wishes to initiate a dialogue between the two countries focusing on the Mediterranean traditions of fishing, which have always marked their coastal and insular character. Javier Arbizu (Spain), Elli Velliou (Greece), Marta Lorenza- na (Spain), Dimitra Skandali (Greece), Erato Tagaridis (Greece) participate in the exhibition.
Curated by Cycladic Arts (Greece) and Artiatx (Spain) Artist Hospitality Center.