Friday July 31st | Desmos Cultural Venue, Molyvos
««From East to West».»
Greek composers of Constantinople alongside Renaissance Arias and songs inspired by Greek Mythology. A profoundly enchanting musical journey that bridges the refined tradition of Greek composers of Constantinople with the brilliance of the European Renaissance. In a rare artistic collaboration, the melancholic resonance of the yaylı tanbur meets the crystalline voices of the soprano and the countertenor, accompanied by the guitar. Through celebrated arias and songs inspired by Greek Mythology, the program highlights how shared myths and human passions traveled from the palaces of the West to the sofades (traditional lounges) of the East, creating a cultural bridge that remains vibrant to this day.
Performers:
Stefanos Pourianos: yaylı tanbur, vocals
Maira Milolidaki: soprano
Nikos Spanatis: countertenor
Korina Vougiouka: guitar
Saturday August 1st | Desmos Cultural Venue, Molyvos
“Philoctetes” by Yannis Ritsos. Behind the Hero’s Mask.
A Musical Presentation..
A musical presentation of the poetic work Philoctetes by Yannis Ritsos
where poetic language converges with music in an attempt to pierce through the rigid "mask" of myth. Philoctetes and Neoptolemus are no longer mere figures of antiquity, but symbols of human isolation and the yearning for truth. Through an evocative collaboration of lyric singing, narration, and the unique timbres of the yaylı tanbur and the guitar, the music reveals the existential vulnerability behind the mask: the fragility, the pain, and the ultimate redemption. A mystical experience that seeks the human essence beyond the predetermined boundaries of history and duty.
Performers:
Korina Vougiouka: concept, overall curation, guitar
Maira Milolidaki: soprano
Nikos Spanatis: countertenor
Haris Karydis Maronitis: narration
Stefanos Pourianos: yaylı tanbur
Tasos Rosopoulos: transcriptions
Sunday August 2nd| Desmos Cultural Venue, Molyvos
“Visitors and Guides: From Mythymna to Molyvos”.
A unique performance-guided tour through the local history, blending music, literature, poetry, and human stories—both old and recent.
The residents of Molyvos are part of its history, its successors and continuators. During this action, we attempt to imagine and reconstruct the small, seemingly insignificant details of the lives of those who once lived upon the "leaden stone" (molyvenia petra) of this place: their songs and festivals, their games, their work, and their daily routines. Just as we hope others will do in the future when they seek to discover our own traces in this land.
Performers:
Korina Vougiouka: concept, overall curation, guitar
Haris Karydis Maronitis: narration
Maira Milolidaki: soprano
Nikos Spanatis: countertenor
Monday August 3rd | Museum of Industrial Olive Oil Production, Agia Paraskevi, Lesvos
«The Garden Beholds».
Renaissance Arias and songs inspired by Nature and Greek Mythology.
Performers:
Maira Milolidaki: soprano
Nikos Spanatis: countertenor
Korina Vougiouka: guitar
PARALLEL EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS
August 2nd and 3rd
Minor Episodes:
Narrative and musical "scenes" performed by the festival's guest artists at locations of significant historical and aesthetic interest in Molyvos throughout the day.
July 31st and August 1st
Speech and Vocal Technique Workshop:
The workshop offers an introduction to the world of the voice through simple, functional exercises for body relaxation, activation, and breathing. Using straightforward methods to familiarize participants with the mechanism of sound production, we isolate different vocal structures (larynx, soft palate, tongue, etc.). Through practical exercises, we explore the balance between control and freedom in sound production, whether for speaking or singing.
Participants will learn how to protect their voices from fatigue or injury, recognize their unique vocal identity, and gain access to tools that can evolve or even transform it.
Μαθαίνουμε επίσης να αναγνωρίζουμε τη φωνητική μας ταυτότητα και αποκτούμε πρόσβαση σε εργαλεία που μπορούν να την εξελίξουν ή ακόμα και να τη μεταμορφώσουν.
Duration: 4 hours over 2 days.
Workshop Lead: Maira Milolidaki
Location: Desmos Cultural Venue