For the eighth consecutive year, the Catholic Diocese of Syros and the Association of Greek Catholics of Syros are staging the ANΩ International Organ Festival featuring a new programme of top-quality events as part of the dynamic history that has transformed Ano Syros into a cultural meeting place.
Dedicated to the great Greek composer originating from the Cyclades, Nikos Skalkotas, the festival highlights its international character with prominent invited artists and organists of famed cathedrals from Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.
This year’s Festival will present the ANΩ FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA (AFO) to audiences for the first time. The ensemble includes young musicians from Greece, Poland and the Czech Republic, along with experienced musicians from the Athens State Orchestra, under the direction of the Festival’s artistic director and distinguished conductor of international repute, Stefanos Tsialis.
Also for the first time, the Festival will extend its activities beyond Syros, with the ANΩ Festival Orchestra giving a second concert – after its inaugural appearance at the courtyard of Sisters of Mercy Monastery in Ermoupoli – at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Fira, Santorini.
A special surprise awaiting Festival audiences this year will be a photography exhibition titled “The Organs of Greece”, curated by photographer Dimitris Vamvakousis. All of the organs located in churches throughout Greece, as well as at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall, were photographed within a period of 20 days and will be presented between 19-25 August at the Cathedral of St. George in Ano Syros.
The recitals will be introduced by music producer and the ANΩ Festival’s artistic programme advisor, Nikos Kanellopoulos.
Admission to all events is free.
We invite you to join us again this year as we listen to the beautiful melodies played in unique venues.
EVENTS
Monday, August 19 at 20:00
Riccardo Bonci (Italy), organ
In cooperation with the Italian Cultural Institute of Athens
Wednesday, August 21at 20:00
David Pipe (UK), organ
Bella Adamova (Czech Republic), mezzo soprano
In cooperation with the Czech Centre Athens
Friday, August 23 at 20:00
Monastery of the Sisters of Mercy, Hermoupolis
ANΩ FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Tomasz Strahl (Poland), cello
Stefanos Tsialis (Greece), conductor
In cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Athens and the Czech Centre Athens
Saturday, August 24 at 20:00
Jesús Sampedro Márquez (Spain), organ
In cooperation with the Embassy of Spain in Athens
Sunday, August 25 at 20:00
Church of Immaculate Conception of Virgin Mary, SANTORINI
ANΩ FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Tomasz Strahl (Poland), cello
Stefanos Tsialis (Greece), conductor
In cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Athens and the Czech Centre Athens
Artistic Director: Stefanos Tsialis
Preface & Commentaries: Nikos Kanellopoulos
19-25 of August 2024
Photography Exhibition “The Organs of Greece”
The 18 organs currently in Greece, which are located in churches and at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall, were photographed within a period of 20 days. They are presented here together for the first time in an exhibition curated by photographer Dimitris Vamvakousis, being held as part of the 8th ANΩ FESTIVAL.
Entry to all ANΩ FESTIVAL events is free of charge.
ORGANISERS
Catholic Diocese of Syros
Association of Greek Catholics of Syros
CO-ORGANISERS
Region of South Aegean
Municipality of Syros-Ermoupoli
DONOR
Stavros Niarchos Foundation
SPONSORS
Ministry of Culture
General Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy
AEGEAS Civil Non-profit Company
Antonios E. Komninos Foundation
REVOIL
SUPPOTERS
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Athens
Embassy of Spain in Athens
Czech Centre Athens
Italian Cultural Institute of Athens
Janáček Academy of Performing Arts
TRANSPORT SPONSORS
FAST FERRIES
BLUE STAR FERRIES
SEAJETS
