For the ninth consecutive year, the Catholic Diocese of Syros and the Association of Greek Catholics of Syros are staging the ΑΝΩ International Organ Festival, which will take place in Ano Syros from 18 to 23 August 2025 at the stately St George’s Cathedral.
With the main focus on showcasing the 1888 organ – the oldest organ still in use in Greece – the Festival harmoniously combines musical tradition with the unique character of the Ano Syros medieval district. The aim of the Festival organising team, under the guidance of artistic director and distinguished maestro Stefanos Tsialis and Charis Vekris, the inspiration behind the event, is to create a dynamic cultural institution that respects the spirit of the place while also being open to the world, attracting well-respected artists and audiences from Greece and abroad.
Schedule of Events
This year’s programme includes three concerts of great artistic merit, with free admission for the public.
Monday 18/8
Polish soloists Bartosz Jakubczak, organ, and Tomasz Woźniak, trumpet, will present an impressive repertoire ranging from the Baroque period to the 20th century and including well-known works such as Caruso by Lucio Dalla and the theme from the film about Christopher Columbus, 1492: Conquest of Paradise, by Vangelis (Papathanassiou).
Wednesday 20/8
Organist Eleni Keventsidou appears with soprano Christina Asimakopoulou for an evening dedicated to emblematic works of the classical tradition and musical theatre, including excerpts from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein.
Saturday 23/8
The ΑΝΩ Festival Orchestra (in cooperation with the Camerata Junior – Friends of Music Youth Orchestra), directed by Nikos Haliasas, appears with award-winning young violinist Nikolia Garoufalidou for a concert featuring a diverse repertoire of music, including an honorary tribute to the 100 years since the birth of Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hatzidakis, two pre-eminent composers of Greek music.
The recitals will be introduced by music producer and the ΑΝΩ Festival’s artistic programme advisor, Nikos Kanellopoulos.
More than music
Art exhibit, ‘The Ecstasy of Saint Cecilia’
Saint Cecilia (Agia Kaekilia) was the patron saint of music and a source of inspiration for artists and composers. In Raphael’s work, the ‘Ecstasy of Saint Cecilia’, she is depicted with her gaze turned to the heavens, seemingly ignoring the earthly musical instruments and seeking divine inspiration. As part of the ΑΝΩ Festival, a copy of the painting, which is part of the Catholic Diocese of Syros collection, will be on display at St George’s Cathedral. The work was recently restored by Flora Iatropoulou. The painting will be shown alongside modern artistic works engaging in dialogue with Raphael’s rendering.
Exhibit curator: Agni Roussou
A one-of-a-kind festival in Greece
The ΑΝΩ International Organ Festival is a unique phenomenon for Greece, not only for the rare repertoire presented there – from Baroque to contemporary – but also for the type of audience it attracts: lovers of music, culture, history and spirituality.
The location remains the same: Ano Syros, a place that connects time with sound, art with faith, and tradition with live creation.
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
Hellenic Parliament
General Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy
AEGEAS Civil Non-profit Company
Antonios E. Komninos Foundation
SUPPOTERS
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Athens
The Friends of Music Society
TRANSPORT SPONSORS
BLUE STAR FERRIES
SEAJETS
