12th Choir Festival at Ionian Academy, 19-22 January

As part of the Cultural-Choral events taking place on the island of Corfu this year, the traditional main Choral Festival is being organised by the Corfu Choirs Union. This is the 12th of these festivals, where the island's choirs have the opportunity to participate and showcase examples of their choral work. The event will be held at the Ionian Academy's auditorium from Friday, January 19, to Monday, January 22, featuring a total of 25 Choral ensembles. Among them are two Children's Choirs and two Traditional Polyphonic Choral groups. The choirs will perform four choral pieces, one of which will be without instrumental accompaniment (a capella).

This year, as a guest participant, the Diamantidou Cultural Association Choir from Cyprus will embellishes the gathering. The common song for all the choirs, traditionally performed at the end of each choral day, is this time "Korfu-Scheria-Korkyra," with lyrics and music by the Corfiot composer Yiannis Kourkoulos.

An innovation this year is the presentation of the poetry collection Incomplete by the young poet Anastasia Stavraki. The poetry collection consists of thoughts clothed in words harmonised with the colours of the soul. Dark, dim, faded, bright, vivid elements come together to give each poem its distinctive shade. This poetry collection, to be presented on the second day of the Festival, includes a poem dedicated to Corfu. The presentation of the poetry collection will be by the actor Spyros Vergis.

The Board of Directors of Corfu Choirs Union of  would like to express gratitude to the Ionian University for providing the venue of the Ionian Academy's events hall, with special thanks to the Vice-Dean Mr. Makris. Also, to the venerable Archbishop of Corfu, Nektarios, for providing the Metropolitan Spiritual Centre for the Festival's needs. Thanks are also extended to the Boards of Directors of the choirs and choral groups participating. Warm thanks are conveyed to the singers, musicians, conductors, and everyone contributing in any way to the planning, organisation, and realisation of this significant Choral gathering.