The schedule of events for the 8th “ΑΝΩ” International Organ Festival in Syros came to a close on Saturday, 24 August 2024, with a recital on the church organ by Jesús Sampedro Márquez.
Nikos Kanellopoulos, the “ΑΝΩ” Festival’s artistic programme advisor, introduced the recital, staged in cooperation with the Embassy of Spain in Athens, before the organist from the Cathedral of Seville captivated the audience that filled St George’s Cathedral in Ano Syros. The programme featured works by Spanish composers, as well as by Nikos Skalkottas, to whom the 8th “ΑΝΩ” Festival events were dedicated.
For the first time, the “ΑΝΩ” Festival extended its activities beyond Syros and travelled to Santorini, giving residents and visitors on that island an opportunity to enjoy the newly created “ΑΝΩ” Festival Orchestra.
Following its inaugural performance in the courtyard of the Sisters of Mercy Monastery in Hermoupolis, the orchestra, under director Stefanos Tsialis, presented a concert on Sunday, 25 August, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Fira, featuring Polish virtuoso cellist Tomasz Strahl as soloist in a programme of works for cello and string ensemble titled “Dances of Summer”. The event was staged in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Athens and the Czech Centre Athens.
In closing the events in Syros and Santorini, Catholic Bishop of Syros, Thira and apostolic administrator for the Cretan Diocese, Hon. f. Petros Stefanou, thanked all the participants and supporters of the Festival for their role in the outstanding outcome of this year’s events. He promised the audience that the Festival would return next year (18-24 August 2025) with even more innovations and always with the highest quality offerings to the cultural life of its homeland.
Photographs: Stefanos Mamidis – Nireas Vekris
