ΑΝΩ Festival Orchestra draws enthusiastic response at the event’s third concert – Announcements about collaborations, new actions and surprises scheduled for the 10th Anniversary Festival of Ano Syros
The final curtain of the 9th ΑΝΩ International Organ Festival fell with an impressive concert held at St George’s Cathedral in Ano Syros, highlighting the talent and youthful energy of the ΑΝΩ Festival Orchestra. The orchestra, which was the brainchild of artistic director and maestro Stefanos Tsialis, was formed this year with the support of the Camerata Junior – Friends of Music Youth Orchestra and presented a multi-faceted programme that included popular works by classical composers and iconic songs by Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hatzidakis. The soloist for the evening was charismatic 16-year-old violinist Nikolia Garoufalidou, under the direction of Nikos Haliasas.
The packed St George’s Cathedral and the audience’s warm applause sealed the success of an event that over six days turned Ano Syros into a centre of culture and spirituality, featuring concerts of high artistic quality with free admission for all and a deeply moving atmosphere.
The great news of the night
In his closing remarks at the 9th ΑΝΩ Festival, executive director Charis Vekris thanked all participants in this year’s event by name, saving three items of important news for the public and friends of the institution for the end:
Meeting of ΑΝΩ Festival and Animasyros 2025
On 28 September, in cooperation with Animasyros, St George’s organ will come alive once again for a special recital by Ourania Gassiou, inspired by the theme of this year’s animation festival in Syros, “Animated Cosmos”.
Rescuing cultural heritage
Thanks to the sponsorship of AEGEAS Civil Non-profit Company and the financial support of the Church of Agios Nikolaos of Ermoupoli, the Italian restorer of the St George’s Cathedral organ was called in to repair the church’s first Hammond electric organ which was donated in the 1960s but had remained out of commission in the women’s gallery. This rare and very special organ is now ready to accompany the choir and services of Syros’s emblematic church once again.
The 10th anniversary ΑΝΩ Festival
Ano Syros will host the commemorative festival from 17 to 23 August 2026 with a full programme and headlining guest Olivier Latry, the legendary organist from Notre-Dame. Latry was the first to play the Notre-Dame church organ in December 2024 at the grand opening of the newly repaired cathedral of the French capital following the devastating fire of 2019.
A festival with a unique identity
The ΑΝΩ Festival, an event staged by the Catholic Diocese of Syros and the Association of Greek Catholics of Syros, is a unique institution for Greek culture, as it brings to the forefront the church organ of 1888 – the oldest in use in Greece – while highlighting the historical and spiritual aspect of Ano Syros. This year’s event drew hundreds of visitors and artists from Greece and abroad, proving that cultural creativity can flourish through a dialogue between local tradition and modern artistic inspiration.
Mark your calendars for summer 2026 for a celebration that will mark 10 years of an institution that honours culture and Syros.
Photography: Stefanos Mamidis
