“Transformative Wine of Lesvos”
10th Anemotia Viticulture Festival
2026
SUNDAY, 16 AUGUST 2026
10:00–12:00 “Silken
Transformations in the Intoxicated Light”
Experiential workshop on sericulture and silk weaving,
led by instructor Argyris Chatzimalis
In an
experiential activity for children and adults, participants will discover one
of nature’s most remarkable transformations: the journey from silkworm to
cocoon, from raw material to thread, and from thread to fabric.
Through
presentations, demonstrations and hands-on participation, participants will
learn about the life cycle of the silkworm, traditional silk processing and
basic weaving techniques, discovering the deep connection between
craftsmanship, the agricultural cycle, nature and the cultural heritage of the
region.
Day 1:
Introduction to the world of sericulture and the life cycle of the silkworm.
Reeling the cocoons and spinning the silk waste.
Day 2:
Processing the silk fibre and dyeing it with natural plant-based dyes.
Registration by
phone: 6971693010 & 6946714483 (Vrysara area)
12:00–15:00 “Faces of
Transformation”
Creative theatrical mask-making workshop for children
and adults, with artist Gioula Koutsoumpou from Zizania Social Cooperative
Enterprise
Inspired by the
theme of Transformation that runs throughout the Festival, and using materials
and references drawn from the vine, wine and viticultural practice,
participants will create unique theatrical masks, exploring the transition from
nature to art and from raw material to symbolic expression.
The masks
created during the workshop will be used in the ritual musical procession
through the streets of Anemotia with Kadinelia, transforming creation into
celebration and participation into a collective experience. Registration by
phone: 6946714483 & 6943098288. (Vrysara area)
10:00–15:00 “Sappho’s
Garden”
Exhibition of flowers, ornamental plants and aromatic
herbs
A collective
celebration of colours and fragrances in the courtyard of the winery of Ifestio
Anemotias Social Cooperative Enterprise, where residents and visitors will
create a shared garden by bringing pots of flowers, ornamental plants and
aromatic herbs from their homes and courtyards.
This living
exhibition will become a meeting place for exchanging experiences and
plant-care practices, evoking images and scents from Sappho’s poetic gardens
and transforming the neighbourhood into a place of participation, beauty and
collective creation. (Vrysara area)
11:00–15:00
“Transformations of Lava in the Glass”
Tastings of Volcanic Wines of Lesvos
After a guided
tour of the winery of Ifestio Anemotias Social Cooperative Enterprise, visitors
will enter the Tasting Room for an experiential tasting of six wines born from
the encounter of lava, ash and the vine.
A unique
tasting experience that brings the character of volcanic soils into the glass
through aromas, textures and stories.
Admission and
wine tasting are free of charge.
Activity
coordinator: Wine Expert Eleni Sivri (Vrysara area)
12:00–20:00
“Distillation at the Rakokazano”
Experiential demonstration of traditional small-scale
distillation and tasting of traditional spirits
An experiential
introduction to the art of traditional small-scale distillation at the Small
Distillery of Ifestio Anemotias Social Cooperative Enterprise, where tradition,
experience and patience transform the fruit into a spirit.
Visitors will
have the opportunity to observe the traditional distillation process and taste
authentic local spirits, discovering the flavours, aromas and secrets of a
craft passed down from generation to generation.
Activity
coordinator: Giannis Papadellis, practitioner and expert in traditional
distillation (Vrysara area)
18:00–22:00
“Transformations of Memory”
Exhibition of Anemotia folklore material
A colourful
mosaic of objects, traditional tools, woven textiles, photographs and evidence
of everyday life reveals the pulse of local history and the small and great
transformations of the place over time, keeping Anemotia’s collective memory
alive.
An encounter
with the world of work, creativity and the everyday lives of local people,
where yesterday enters into dialogue with today and tradition is transformed
into a living experience and cultural continuity.
18:00–22:00 “From Lava
to the Vine: The Caldera of the Anemotia Volcano Through Time”
Photography exhibition by Olga Saliampoukou
Through rare
images and contemporary photographic documentation, the exhibition presents the
Caldera of the Anemotia Volcano through time, highlighting the transformation
of the landscape and illuminating distinctive features of the volcanic
agricultural ecosystem, such as dry-stone terraces, stone farm buildings, the
biodiversity of the area and the everyday life of winegrowers.
The exhibition
forms a visual narrative of memory, work and the creative coexistence of people
and nature, highlighting the cultural and environmental value of Anemotia’s
agricultural landscape and the decisive role of local practices in its
preservation.
The activity is
implemented with funding from the Green Fund (Outward-Looking Actions 2026 /
Action title: Volcanic Agricultural Landscapes, Biodiversity and Circular
Economy in the Caldera of Anemotia, Lesvos).
19:00–20:00 “Sappho,
Word and Poetry”
Presentation of the poetry collection by Mytilene poet
Maria Vrana-Papala
A contemporary
poetic dialogue with Sappho, the great lyric poet of Lesvos, through words,
poetry and music. Maria Vrana-Papala’s poetry collection combines prose and
poetry, weaving a creative dialogue with Sappho’s life and lyrical legacy.
Through
biographical, literary and poetic texts, the ancient voice of Lesvos meets
contemporary creation, highlighting the timelessness of Sappho’s poetry and the
power of female expression.
The
presentation will be accompanied by poetry readings and musical interpretations
with ancient Greek lyre, in an atmosphere filled with Sappho’s favourite
flowers and aromatic plants, creating an experiential encounter of words, music
and memory, where poetry is transformed into a living experience.
Moderator:
Antonia Savva, publisher of the poetry collection
Opening
remarks: Zacharoula Ioakeim, Deputy Mayor for Culture of the Municipality of
Western Lesvos, and Aikaterini Founti, theatre studies specialist, educator and
dance teacher
Poetry
readings: Angeliki Politaki, Niki Chatzistylianou, Vasilis Anagnostou, Maria
Vrana-Papala & Aikaterini Founti
Ancient Greek
lyre accompaniment: Thanasis Kleopas
Music curation:
Antonis Spoulos
Publication
illustration: Taxiarchoula-Evfrosyni Christianou
Publisher:
Reprographics (Vrysara area)
20:00–21:00
“Transformative Passage into the Mythic”
Ritual musical procession through the streets of
Anemotia with Kadinelia
The activity
begins at the winery of Ifestio Anemotias Social Cooperative Enterprise. With
members of the public wearing the theatrical masks created in the “Faces of
Transformation” workshop, Kadinelia will make their way through the village
alleys, carrying the pulse of the music from corner to corner.
The streets
fill with sounds of deep ecstasy and Bacchic rhythms, the hearts of the crowd
move in unison, and the village experiences a transformative passage from the
everyday to the mythic, from the volcanic winery to the Municipal School, where
the procession culminates in Kadinelia’s major concert. (Vrysara area)
20:00 until late “Primordial
Transformations of Wine”
Free Dionysian wine drinking in glassware in the
“sympotic” courtyard of the Municipal School
Nights of
encounter and communication, with live artistic interventions and flavours of
volcanic wines unfolding in a captivating, primal and irresistible way.
Wine becomes an
occasion for sharing, coexistence and celebration, recalling primordial
Dionysian rituals and transforming taste into experience and encounter into
community.
21:00–22:00 Welcome of
visitors – Greetings – Honorary awards
22:00 Progressive Folk
Concert – Kadinelia
“Dionysian Transformations”
Kadinelia come
to Anemotia bringing to the stage an explosive blend of progressive folk. With
two handmade acoustic guitars, driving rhythmic patterns and exotic vocals, Evi
Seitanidou and Thanasis Zikas have shaped one of the most distinctive sounds on
the contemporary Greek music scene. Their compositions bring together blues and
kalamatianos, reggae and zonaradikos, Nina Simone and the tsampouna, creating a
sound deeply rooted in tradition yet entirely fresh.
This time they
take the stage as a trio, joined on percussion by Vasilis Bacharidis, raising
the energy and drawing the audience into a musical world where tradition meets
the present and improvisation meets Dionysian ecstasy.
MONDAY, 17 AUGUST 2026
10:00–12:00 “Silken
Transformations in the Intoxicated Light”
Experiential workshop on sericulture and silk weaving,
led by instructor Argyris Chatzimalis
In an
experiential activity for children and adults, participants will discover one
of nature’s most remarkable transformations: the journey from silkworm to
cocoon, from raw material to thread, and from thread to fabric.
Through
presentations, demonstrations and hands-on participation, participants will
learn about the life cycle of the silkworm, traditional silk processing and
basic weaving techniques, discovering the deep connection between
craftsmanship, the agricultural cycle, nature and the cultural heritage of the
region.
Day 1:
Introduction to the world of sericulture and the life cycle of the silkworm.
Reeling the cocoons and spinning the silk waste.
Day 2:
Processing the silk fibre and dyeing it with natural plant-based dyes.
Registration by
phone: 6971693010 & 6946714483 (Vrysara area)
12:00–15:00 “Binding
Memories”
Experiential bookbinding workshop with bookbinder
Despoina Anastasopoulou (tortuguita) from the non-profit organisation “Nimata –
Initiative for the Revitalisation and Preservation of Cultural Heritage in
Lesvos”
In an
experiential bookbinding workshop where the art of binding pages meets the vine
and the world of wine, participants will create their own handmade notebook and
decorate it, drawing inspiration from elements historically associated with the
land, care and collectivity.
Using paper,
thread and natural materials, they will learn basic bookbinding techniques and
discover how simple materials can be transformed into a unique object of
creativity and memory. No previous experience is required.
Registration by
phone: 6993075530 & 6946714483 (Vrysara area)
10:00–15:00 “Sappho’s
Garden”
Exhibition of flowers, ornamental plants and aromatic
herbs
A collective
celebration of colours and fragrances in the courtyard of the winery of Ifestio
Anemotias Social Cooperative Enterprise, where residents and visitors will
create a shared garden by bringing pots of flowers, ornamental plants and
aromatic herbs from their homes and courtyards.
This living
exhibition will become a meeting place for exchanging experiences and
plant-care practices, evoking images and scents from Sappho’s poetic gardens
and transforming the neighbourhood into a place of participation, beauty and
collective creation. (Vrysara area)
11:00–15:00
“Transformations of Lava in the Glass”
Tastings of Volcanic Wines of Lesvos
After a guided tour
of the winery of Ifestio Anemotias Social Cooperative Enterprise, visitors will
enter the Tasting Room for an experiential tasting of six wines born from the
encounter of lava, ash and the vine.
A unique
tasting experience that brings the character of volcanic soils into the glass
through aromas, textures and stories.
Admission and
wine tasting are free of charge.
Activity
coordinator: Wine Expert Eleni Sivri (Vrysara area)
18:00–22:00
“Transformations of Memory”
Exhibition of Anemotia folklore material
A colourful
mosaic of objects, traditional tools, woven textiles, photographs and evidence
of everyday life reveals the pulse of local history and the small and great
transformations of the place over time, keeping Anemotia’s collective memory
alive.
An encounter
with the world of work, creativity and the everyday lives of local people,
where yesterday enters into dialogue with today and tradition is transformed
into a living experience and cultural continuity.
18:00–22:00 “From Lava
to the Vine: The Caldera of the Anemotia Volcano Through Time”
Photography exhibition by Olga Saliampoukou
Through rare
images and contemporary photographic documentation, the exhibition presents the
Caldera of the Anemotia Volcano through time, highlighting the transformation
of the landscape and illuminating distinctive features of the volcanic
agricultural ecosystem, such as dry-stone terraces, stone farm buildings, the
biodiversity of the area and the everyday life of winegrowers.
The exhibition
forms a visual narrative of memory, work and the creative coexistence of people
and nature, highlighting the cultural and environmental value of Anemotia’s
agricultural landscape and the decisive role of local practices in its
preservation.
The activity is
implemented with funding from the Green Fund (Outward-Looking Actions 2026 /
Action title: Volcanic Agricultural Landscapes, Biodiversity and Circular
Economy in the Caldera of Anemotia, Lesvos).
18:00–22:00 “Silken
Memories of Anemotia”
Exhibition of silk textiles made by the women of
Anemotia
A special
exhibition dedicated to the art of weaving and women’s creativity, featuring
silk textiles and handmade works created by women of Anemotia. Embroidery,
fabrics and woven compositions reveal the skill, aesthetics and knowledge passed
down from generation to generation, keeping an important aspect of local
cultural heritage alive.
The exhibition
is a narrative of memory and creation, highlighting the transformation of silk
from a natural raw material into a work of art and illuminating the decisive
role of women in preserving and renewing Anemotia’s weaving tradition.
19:00–20:00 “The
Weaving of Transformation”
Participatory weaving and collective creation
activity, led by instructor Argyris Chatzimalis
An experiential
weaving activity inviting the public to participate actively in the creation of
a vertical woven piece inspired by silk’s transformative journey, from cocoon
to thread and from thread to fabric.
On an
improvised loom, silk, woollen and cotton threads will be woven together with
mulberry branches, ears of wheat and flowers from the natural environment of
Anemotia. Continuing from the 9th Viticulture Festival, the woven piece is a
living reflection of community, cooperation and human connection, transforming
the act of weaving into a celebration of participation and co-creation.
20:00–21:00
“Viticulture, Landscape and Climate Resilience”
Open thematic activity on sustainable agricultural
ecosystems
Presented by
Michalis Marmarou, member of Ifestio Anemotias Social Cooperative Enterprise
An open meeting
of knowledge and experience focusing on the relationship between the vineyard
and the natural environment and on the challenges of climate change.
Through
presentations, dialogue and experiential demonstrations involving winegrowers,
scientists and environmental experts, the activity will highlight the
importance of biodiversity, protection of the agricultural landscape,
sustainable water management and low-impact cultivation practices for the
resilience of local ecosystems.
At the same
time, participants will learn about circular-economy practices in agriculture
and ways of using agricultural and livestock by-products to produce soil
amendments, discovering how local knowledge and contemporary environmental
approaches can coexist creatively and contribute to sustainable soil management
and the protection of Lesvos’s agricultural landscape.
The activity is
implemented with funding from the Green Fund (Outward-Looking Actions 2026 /
Action title: Volcanic Agricultural Landscapes, Biodiversity and Circular
Economy in the Caldera of Anemotia, Lesvos).
20:00 until late
“Primordial Transformations of Wine”
Free Dionysian wine drinking in glassware in the
“sympotic” courtyard of the Municipal School
Nights of
encounter and communication, with live artistic interventions and flavours of
volcanic wines unfolding in a captivating, primal and irresistible way.
Wine becomes an
occasion for sharing, coexistence and celebration, recalling primordial
Dionysian rituals and transforming taste into experience and encounter into
community.
21:00–22:00 Theatre
Performance – “DIOGENES: I Seek a Human Being”
Monologue by Thanasis Skroubelos, performed by
Thodoris Prokopiou
“I seek a human
being”… Diogenes searched for a human being with a lantern in his hand, walking
the streets of the city, ragged, bitter and caustic – the man Aristotle called
a Dog. “I seek a human being”… the Cynic’s whisper and cry is still sent to us
by the bittersweet myth, by history, by time. And I, today, embody him on
stage. In the present day, when the human being, together with the machine, is
about to be answered – if not to place his fate in its hands.
“I seek a human
being”… first heard two and a half thousand years ago from Diogenes in Corinth.
Yet today the whole world cries it out as a demand.
Credits:
Direction: Nikos Gkesoulis; Music: Giorgos Varsamakis; Set and Costume: Matina
Georga; Director of Photography – performance video trailer – photographs:
Giannis Sarigiannis; Technical sound processing: NEST studio – Nikos
Menemenoglou
22:00 Ancient Greek
& Cretan Lyre Concert – Thanasis Kleopas
“A Transformative Journey Through Space and Time”
Thanasis
Kleopas on ancient Greek lyre and vocals, together with his collaborators
Dimitris Chiotis on Cretan lyre and vocals and Panagiotis Alepidis on
percussion and vocals, present the musical performance: “A journey through
space and time in Greek music, from antiquity to the present day and from Crete
to Epirus.”
The performance
begins with the oldest surviving complete notated song in the world, the
“Epitaph of Seikilos”. The musicians then travel through different regions of
Greece with arrangements of traditional songs, before arriving in the present
day, where they will perform their own transformative compositions.
TUESDAY, 18 AUGUST 2026
10:00–14:00 “Sing
Without Fear or Shame”
Experiential voice and singing workshop with Thanasis
Kleopas
Through simple
experiential exercises, participants will connect with that part of themselves
which, like birds, feels the need to sing for the sheer joy of singing. The
starting point of the workshop is the “Epitaph of Seikilos”, the oldest
surviving complete notated song in the world. Through its melody and timeless
philosophical message, participants will experience the liberation of the voice
and explore vocal improvisation.
The activity
will take place in the atmospheric setting of the old Hammam, which will be
filled with the sounds of the ancient Greek lyre, creating a unique environment
for listening and participation. No previous singing experience is required.
Registration by
phone: 6946714483 (Vrysara area)
10:00–14:00 “Sappho’s
Garden”
Exhibition of flowers, ornamental plants and aromatic
herbs
A collective
celebration of colours and fragrances in the courtyard of the winery of Ifestio
Anemotias Social Cooperative Enterprise, where residents and visitors will
create a shared garden by bringing pots of flowers, ornamental plants and
aromatic herbs from their homes and courtyards.
This living
exhibition will become a meeting place for exchanging experiences and
plant-care practices, evoking images and scents from Sappho’s poetic gardens
and transforming the neighbourhood into a place of participation, beauty and
collective creation. (Vrysara area)
11:00–14:00 “Transformations
of Lava in the Glass”
Tastings of Volcanic Wines of Lesvos
After a guided
tour of the winery of Ifestio Anemotias Social Cooperative Enterprise, visitors
will enter the Tasting Room for an experiential tasting of six wines born from
the encounter of lava, ash and the vine.
A unique
tasting experience that brings the character of volcanic soils into the glass
through aromas, textures and stories.
Admission and
wine tasting are free of charge.
Activity
coordinator: Wine Expert Eleni Sivri
18:00–20:00 “From the
Vine to the Table”
Experiential gastronomy activity
An experiential
gastronomic journey in a setting filled with aromas, flavours and images from
Anemotia’s agricultural tradition. Skilled local women cooks, custodians of the
village’s gastronomic memory, will demonstrate step by step the preparation of
traditional dishes and sweets based on the area’s vine and wine products.
Grape molasses,
raisins, fresh grapes and wine are transformed into flavours that connect
knowledge, creativity and the joy of hospitality, highlighting the deep
relationship between local cuisine, the viticultural cycle and the cultural
heritage of the region. (Vrysara area)
18:00–20:00 “The First
Transformation”
Experiential activity of traditional grape stomping
Traditional
grape stomping in a wine press will be one of the Festival’s liveliest and most
participatory experiences, inviting children and adults to take an active part
in one of the most characteristic and symbolic practices of viticultural
tradition.
The stomping of
the grapes will become a living ritual of memory, joy and togetherness, where
the sounds of music, laughter and the aromas of must come together in a
celebration of the grape’s first transformation, reviving the collective spirit
of the harvest and the Dionysian soul of the place. (Vrysara area)
18:00–22:00
“Transformations of Memory”
Exhibition of Anemotia folklore material
A colourful
mosaic of objects, traditional tools, woven textiles, photographs and evidence
of everyday life reveals the pulse of local history and the small and great
transformations of the place over time, keeping Anemotia’s collective memory
alive.
An encounter
with the world of work, creativity and the everyday lives of local people,
where yesterday enters into dialogue with today and tradition is transformed
into a living experience and cultural continuity.
18:00–22:00 “From Lava
to the Vine: The Caldera of the Anemotia Volcano Through Time”
Photography exhibition by Olga Saliampoukou
Through rare
images and contemporary photographic documentation, the exhibition presents the
Caldera of the Anemotia Volcano through time, highlighting the transformation
of the landscape and illuminating distinctive features of the volcanic
agricultural ecosystem, such as dry-stone terraces, stone farm buildings, the
biodiversity of the area and the everyday life of winegrowers.
The exhibition
forms a visual narrative of memory, work and the creative coexistence of people
and nature, highlighting the cultural and environmental value of Anemotia’s agricultural
landscape and the decisive role of local practices in its preservation.
The activity is
implemented with funding from the Green Fund (Outward-Looking Actions 2026 /
Action title: Volcanic Agricultural Landscapes, Biodiversity and Circular Economy
in the Caldera of Anemotia, Lesvos).
20:00 until late
“Primordial Transformations of Wine”
Free Dionysian wine drinking in glassware in the
“sympotic” courtyard of the Municipal School
Nights of
encounter and communication, with live artistic interventions and flavours of
volcanic wines unfolding in a captivating, primal and irresistible way.
Wine becomes an
occasion for sharing, coexistence and celebration, recalling primordial
Dionysian rituals and transforming taste into experience and encounter into
community.
21:00–22:00 “Under the
Same Sky”
Experiential skywatching activity
Xanthippi
Kontogianni, amateur astronomer and creator of the astrothesis initiative,
guides us through the summer sky in a fascinating experience of naked-eye
stargazing.
With the aid of
a laser pointer, we identify constellations, planets and other celestial
objects while gaining experiential knowledge, including an understanding of the
Earth’s revolution and rotation, determining the time and orienting ourselves
toward the four cardinal points.
At the same
time, we travel through stories and myths born from the human imagination, as
people from antiquity to the present day have turned their gaze to the sky in
search of ways to interpret the world around them. An experiential
transformation from earth to sky, strengthening the public’s connection with
nature and the universe.
22:00 Greek-Language
Rock Concert – MAGIC DE SPELL
“From Anemotia… to Sarajevo”
Electric sound
and subversive lyrics come together in a powerful live performance! The
longest-running band on the Greek rock scene has completed 45 years of active
presence and is ready to energise and impress the audience with a powerful
concert spanning its entire repertoire.
Magic de Spell
first appeared in 1980, performing at music venues and festivals alongside
legendary Greek and international artists. From the early 1990s onwards, they
became established as leading representatives of Greek-language rock and
guitar-driven sound.
Their songs
“Emena oi Filoi Mou” (“My Friends”) and “Sarajevo” have come to represent,
emphatically, two generations up to the present day.
During the
concert, among other material, Magic de Spell will also present a mini tribute
to major figures of the Greek rock scene, including Tzimis Panousis, Pavlos
Sidiropoulos, Nikolas Asimos and Dimitris Poulikakos.
Production
Organisation: Retire Productions
