Corfu International Festival of Mediterranean Cultures - the programme
CORFU. The Festival takes place 6-10 September and is being organised by the International Council of Organisations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts - CIOFF®, an official partner of UNESCO, the Ionian University and the Sinies Educational and Cultural Society.
Preparations are nearly complete for the International Festival of Mediterranean Cultures, which will take place in Corfu 6-10 September, organised by the International Council of Organisations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts - CIOFF®, an official partner of UNESCO, the Ionian University and the Sinies Educational and Cultural Society.
Countries have already submitted their participation and the festival programme has been finalised. For five days, the entire island from one end to the other will be transformed into a showcase for the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean.
Cultures, colours, music, dance, scientific knowledge and art will come together in a multicultural dialogue, in a celebration of our intangible cultural heritage.
The programme, among other things, includes presentations of traditional dances from the participating countries, exhibitions of traditional costumes and musical instruments, parades of dance ensembles, scientific lectures and an economic forum.
The events will take place in the Corfu Town, as well as in Acharavi, Kassiopi, Sinies and Agios Matthaios.
The Mediterranean Cultures Festival, an established event of the CIOFF® Southern Europe Sector, is being held under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and is being organised on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Convention (2003) for Intangible Cultural Heritage.
It is being organised in collaboration with the Ionian Islands Regional Authority, the Regional Union of Ionian Islands Municipalities, the Municipality of North Corfu and the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands.
It is supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, the Ministry of Tourism, the Greek National Commission for UNESCO, the Greek National Tourism Organisation (EOT), the Central Union of Chambers of Commerce of Greece, the Ionian Islands Regional Agrofood Partnership, Corfu Chamber of Commerce, the UNESCO Chair of the Ionian University, the Department of Audio and Visual Arts, the Department of Foreign Languages, Translation, and Interpretation, the Department of Digital Media and Communication, the Department of Archives, Library Science, and Museum Studies of the Ionian University, the Department of Networks and Communications of the Ionian University, the Institute of Greek Music Heritage (IEMH), the Academy of Art in Szczecin, Poland, the 'Old' Philharmonic Society and the San Giacomo Cultural Association .
Also supporting the festival are the Corfu Ephorate of Antiquities, the Museum of Asian Art, the Holy Metropolis of Corfu, Paxos and Diapontia Islands, the Central Corfu Municipal Art Gallery, Corfu Port Authority, Corfu Hoteliers Association, Corfu Regional Scout Association, Corfu Chef's Club, the Hellenic Red Cross, the Mastora Clinic and the "Therapia" Clinic.
PROGRAMME
Wednesday, 6 September
09:30 - 12:00: IONIAN ACADEMY, CORFU TOWN
Official reception and welcome (admission free)
Greetings from officials
Exchange of gifts and memorabilia
Awards presented to the creator of the festival logo and the top 3 winners of the pupil painting competition
12:00 - 14:00: IONIAN ACADEMY, CORFU TOWN
Scientific Conference - morning session (admission free)
"Music and Dance in the Mediterranean as Intangible Cultural Heritage and Fields of Convergence. Cultural Capacities and Historical Timelines."
Presentations by Greek researchers and academics
Organised by the Ionian University
Coordinator: Dr. Renata Dalianoudi, Associate Professor, Scientific Representative of Ionian University for the CIOFF® Mediterranean Cultures Festival 2023.
Speakers:
- Stavroula Fotopoulou, Director of Modern Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture.
- Panayiota Adrianopoulou, Ethnologist, Folklorist, Head of Research and Documentation Collections Department of Folk Art, Museum of Modern Greek Culture, UNESCO Expert & Facilitator for ICH.
- Dimitrios Youlimaris, Professor, Department of Science, Physical Education and Sports, S.E.F.A.A., Dimokritos University of Thrace.
- Renata Dalianoudi, Associate Professor of Music and Audiovisual Culture, Department of Audio and Visual Arts, Ionian University.
- Styliani Douka, Professor, Department of Science, Physical Education and Sports, S.E.F.A.A., Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Vice President of the National Section CIOFF® Greece.
- Zoe Margari, Principal Researcher, Centre for Greek Folklore Research, Athens Academy.
- Agni Papadopoulou, Associate Professor, Department of Audio and Visual Arts, Ionian University.
17:00 - 19:30: IONIAN ACADEMY, CORFU TOWN
Scientific Conference - evening session (admission free)
"Music and Dance in the Mediterranean as Intangible Cultural Heritage and Fields of Convergence. Cultural Capacities and Historical Timelines."
Presentations on Elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage from Mediterranean countries by Representatives of CIOFF®
Organised by the Ionian University
Coordinator: Dr. Renata Dalianoudi, Associate Professor, Scientific Representative of Ionian University for the CIOFF® Mediterranean Cultures Festival 2023.
Speakers:
- Katerina Christodoulou, (via Skype) UNESCO-certified educator for the integration of ICH in school education, Ralleio General Lyceum for Girls, Piraeus.
- CIOFF® Greece: Kostas Ioannidis
- CIOFF® Albania: Nikos Mihali
- CIOFF® Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ana Maric
- CIOFF® Bulgaria: Stiliana Yorgova
- CIOFF® Croatia: Enrih Merdic
- CIOFF® Cyprus: Michalis Tziortas
- CIOFF® France: Anne Marie Ciolfi
- CIOFF® Israel: Yael Mero & Ronit Tamir
- CIOFF® Portugal: Paulo Marques
- CIOFF® Serbia: Katarina Covic
- CIOFF® Slovenia: Tina Urih, Davorin Urih, Žiga Ciglarič
19:30: CORFU TOWN (Evg. Voulgareos pedestrian area to Liston)
Parade of music and dance groups.
Participating countries: Egypt, Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Greece, Spain, Israel, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Morocco, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia, Tunisia.
20:30: MUSEUM OF ASIAN ART, CORFU TOWN
(Palace of St. George and Archangel Michael) Admission free
First official rendition of the Festival anthem composed by Kostas Savvanis and performed by the 'Old' Philharmonic Society.
Greetings and declaration of the Festival opening
Presentation of dance groups from 16 Mediterranean countries.
Simultaneous video projection of visual artworks at the Palace by Professors and Artists from the Academy of Art in Szczecin of Poland and the University of Ostrava in the Czech Republic.
Parallel Activities - Corfu Town
12:00-13:00: Economic Forum
For businesses and professionals - Admission free
Organisers: Central Union of Chambers of Commerce in Greece, Corfu Chamber of Commerce
Speaker: Dr. Haris Lambropoulos, President of the Hellenic Development Investment Bank
09:30- 20:00: Exhibitions in Corfu Town (admission free)
Venue: Ionian Academy Foyer, Corfu Town
Exhibition of traditional wedding costumes from Mediterranean countries (CIOFF® Living Wedding Traditions Cultural Project)
Venue: People's Garden, Corfu Town
Sculpture exhibition by French artist Charles Stratos
Venue: Ionian Parliament, Corfu Town
11:30: Opening of the Exhibition (admission free)
Exhibition of paintings by French artist Charles Stratos
Exhibition of Mediterranean-themed paintings by Corfu pupils
(With the participation of the Ionian Conservatory: Lia Kolita - soprano, Maria Mazi - piano instructor)
Thursday, 7 September
09:00- 20:00: Exhibitions in Corfu Town (admission free)
Venue: Ionian Academy Foyer, Corfu Town
Exhibition of traditional wedding costumes from Mediterranean countries (CIOFF® Living Wedding Traditions Cultural Project)
Venue: People's Garden, Corfu Town
Sculpture exhibition by French artist Charles Stratos
Venue: Ionian Parliament, Corfu Town
Exhibition of paintings by French artist Charles Stratos
Exhibition of paintings with a Mediterranean theme by Corfu pupils
18:00: Corfu Scout Hall (admission free)
Exhibition of photographs of traditional musical instruments by CIOFF® Youth
Exhibition of photographs by Sinies Cultural Society photographic team
Exhibition of French traditional crafts and elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage by Anne Marie Ciolfi (Member of CIOFF® France).
19:30-19:45: Annunziata Square - Old Town Hall Square - Lemonias Square - Liston, Corfu Town
Musical and dance performances by Festival groups (admission free)
Participating countries: Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Egypt
19:30: Acharavi Town Hall - Central Stage
Musical and dance performance (admission free)
Participating countries: Greece, Slovenia, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, Albania, Israel
18:00-21:00: Exhibitions in Acharavi (admission free)
Exhibition of traditional wedding costumes from Mediterranean countries (CIOFF® Living Wedding Traditions Cultural Project)
Exhibition of photographs by Sinies Cultural Society photographic team
21:00: Corfu Scout Hall - Central Stage
Musical and dance performances by Festival groups (admission free)
Participating countries: Greece, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Egypt
Parallel Activities - South Corfu
10:00-13:00 PM: AGIOS MATTHAIOS, SOUTH CORFU (by invitation only)
Scientific lecture "OLIVE OIL AND THE MEDITERRANEAN CULTURE"
Organisers: Ionian Islands Regional AgroFood Cooperative, "SAN GIACOMO" Association, Ionian University / Department of Archival, Library and Museum Studies, "GOVERNOR OLIVE OIL" Company
Speakers:
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Kostas Ioannidis, Representative of the International CIOFF® Mediterranean Cultures Festival
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Nikolaos Mouzakitis, President of the Ionian Islands Regional AgroFood Cooperative
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Alekos Makris, President of the "SAN GIACOMO" Association
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Konstantinos Tsoumanis, Greek National Tourism Organization (E.O.T.)
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Anna Chytiri, Special Advisor of the Ionian Islands Region Authority and member of the Ionian Islands Regional AgroFood Cooperative
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Onoufrios (Akis) Pavlogiannis, Member of the Teaching Staff of the Department of Archival, Library and Museum Studies, Ionian University
Friday, 8 September
09:00- 20:00: Exhibitions in Corfu Town (admission free)
Venue: Ionian Academy Foyer, Corfu Town
Exhibition of traditional wedding costumes from Mediterranean countries (CIOFF® Living Wedding Traditions Cultural Project)
Venue: People's Garden, Corfu Town
Sculpture exhibition by French artist Charles Stratos
Venue: Ionian Parliament, Corfu Town
Exhibition of paintings by French artist Charles Stratos
Exhibition of paintings with a Mediterranean theme by Corfu pupils
18:00: Corfu Scout Hall (admission free)
Exhibition of photographs of traditional musical instruments by CIOFF® Youth
Exhibition of photographs by Sinies Cultural Society photographic team
Exhibition and workshops of traditional Tsakonian weaving art with weaver Elisavet Rodopoulou (Member of CIOFF® Greece).
Exhibition of French traditional crafts and elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage by Anne Marie Ciolfi (Member of CIOFF® France).
19:30-19:45: Annunziata Square - Old Town Hall Square - Lemonias Square - Liston, Corfu Town
Musical and dance performances by Festival groups (admission free)
Participating countries: Israel, Albania, Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia
19:30: Acharavi Town Hall - Central Stage
Musical and dance performance (admission free)
Participating countries: Greece, Egypt, Montenegro, Croatia, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina
18:00-21:00: Exhibitions in Acharavi (admission free)
Exhibition of traditional wedding costumes from Mediterranean countries (CIOFF® Living Wedding Traditions Cultural Project)
Exhibition of photographs by Sinies Cultural Society photographic team
Exhibition of French traditional crafts and elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage by Anne Marie Ciolfi (Member of CIOFF® France).
21:00: Agios Stefanos, Sinies - Regional Stage (street dance)
Musical and dance performance (admission free)
Participating countries: Italy
21:00: Corfu Scout Hall - Central Stage
Musical and dance performances (admission free)
Participating countries: Greece, Israel, Albania, Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia
Parallel Activities - Corfu Town
1st SEMINAR OF GREEK TRADITIONAL DANCES BY CIOFF® GREECE
Corfu Gymnastics Association (Participation fee: €80, students €50)
Organised by: Greek National Section of CIOFF® and Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (Laboratory of Sports Management, Tourism, and Recreation) of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Application: https://forms.gle/c2E7aG7EoYcVyttv9
1st day of presentations:
16:00-18:00: Dances of the Ionian Islands
Presenters: Ioannis Vlachos, Gerasimos Vlachos
18:30-20:30: Dances of the Northern Aegean
Presenter: Giorgos Likessas
Saturday, 9 September
09:00- 20:00: Exhibitions in Corfu Town (admission free)
Venue: Ionian Academy Foyer, Corfu Town
Exhibition of traditional wedding costumes from Mediterranean countries (CIOFF® Living Wedding Traditions Cultural Project)
Venue: People's Garden, Corfu Town
Sculpture exhibition by French artist Charles Stratos
Venue: Ionian Parliament, Corfu Town
Exhibition of paintings by French artist Charles Stratos
Exhibition of paintings with a Mediterranean theme by Corfu pupils
18:00: Corfu Scout Hall (admission free)
Exhibition of photographs of traditional musical instruments by CIOFF® Youth
Exhibition of photographs by Sinies Cultural Society photographic team
Exhibition and workshops of traditional Tsakonian weaving art with weaver Elisavet Rodopoulou (Member of CIOFF® Greece).
Exhibition of French traditional crafts and elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage by Anne Marie Ciolfi (Member of CIOFF® France).
19:30-19:45: Annunziata Square - Old Town Hall Square - Lemonias Square - Liston, Corfu Town
Musical and dance performances by Festival groups (admission free)
Participating countries: Spain, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Portugal, Israel
19:30: Acharavi Town Hall - Central Stage
Musical and dance performance (admission free)
Participating countries: Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Cyprus, Albania, Egypt
18:00-21:00: Exhibitions in Acharavi (admission free)
Exhibition of traditional wedding costumes from Mediterranean countries (CIOFF® Living Wedding Traditions Cultural Project)
Exhibition of photographs by Sinies Cultural Society photographic team
21:00: Kassiopi - Regional Stage (street dance)
Musical and dance performance (admission free)
Participating countries: Greece, Italy
21:00: Corfu Scout Hall - Central Stage
Musical and dance performances (admission free)
Participating countries: Greece, Spain, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Portugal, Israel
Parallel Activities - Corfu Town
1st SEMINAR OF GREEK TRADITIONAL DANCES BY CIOFF® GREECE
Corfu Gymnastics Association (Participation fee: €80, students €50)
Organised by: Greek National Section of CIOFF® and Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (Laboratory of Sports Management, Tourism, and Recreation) of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Application: https://forms.gle/c2E7aG7EoYcVyttv9
2nd day of presentations:
10:00-12:00: Sarakatsani Dances
Presenters: Sophia Kostoula, Dimitrios Samourelis
12:30-14:30: Dances of Megara
Presenter: Dimitris ("Tzimis") Elias
16:00-18:00: Dances of the Karagkounides of Western Thessaly
Presenters: Ioannis Fafoulias, Marina Siakara
18:30-20:30: UNESCO - EU Pilot Programme "Teaching and Learning with Intangible Cultural Heritage: Rebetiko in the Classroom!"
Presenter: Katerina Christodoulou
(open to Primary and Secondary Education teachers)
Sunday, 10 September
19:00 - Corfu Town Centre
Free movement dancers accompanied by music on the main streets of Corfu Town.
19:45 - Corfu Town Upper Square
Closing Ceremony
Music and Dance - Collective dance circle
20:00 - Corfu Town Upper Square
Concert
21:15 - Corfu Scout Hall
(Exclusively for the participating countries participating in the Festival)
Closing of Festival
Greek evening with local traditional Corfiot dishes and products from the Corfu Chefs Club and local businesses, as well as Mediterranean gastronomic flavours presented by guest chefs.
Admission is free for the general public to all events.
Participation fee only for the Seminar on Greek Traditional Dances, free admission to the final presentation at 18:30 on September 9.
