The Greek island of Chios welcomes the opening this week of The Chios Festival 2025 which runs through to September 7.

In its fourth year, the festival has grown into a dynamic forum that attracts international speakers, artists, scientists, and innovators, alongside leading figures from across Greece.

Organized by the North Aegean Region, the Chios Festival is much more than a showcase of culture and tourism. It aims to highlight the island’s rich history, traditions, and heritage while also promoting a sustainable vision for its future. This year’s edition carries additional significance, as the island continues to recover from the recent wildfires.

A Stage for Dialogue and Exchange

The program includes panel discussions on topics ranging from archaeology, tradition and arts to business, innovation, and gastronomy. Events are hosted at some of Chios’ most emblematic locations, including the Archaeological Site of Emporio, Kardamyla Port, Nea Moni Monastery, the Castle of Chios (Castelli), and the Mastiha Research Center.

Notable participants include Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, who will join a panel discussion on Wednesday, and European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, scheduled to speak on Friday.

Music, Performance and Culinary Heritage

The festival also places strong emphasis on the arts, with concerts featuring an impressive lineup of performers such as Socratis Sinopoulos, Derya Türkan, Çağlar Fidan, Nikos Papageorgiou, Evanthia Reboutsika, soprano Christina Poulitsi, musicians from Genoa’s Teatro Carlo Felice, Agriko, and the Greek National Opera.

The closing event on September 7 will shine a spotlight on Chios’ renowned gastronomy, with local products and flavors taking center stage.

* For a program of events (in Greek) visit the official website.