The 1st Aegean Arts International Festival is a new festival which will reveal the hidden beauty, treasures and secrets of Crete through classical music and art.
Two stunning mountain villages in the area of Heraklion will be hosting this year’s festival. The art activities take place in the picturesque mountain village of Anopolis whilst musical performances will be held at the “Panagiotakis” open theatre in Episkopi Pediados.
Creative Art activities
All the creative activities of the festival will be held in the village of Anopolis. There is a painting and craftwork exhibition by eight exceptional young international artists. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Handicraft Park of Anopolis, where fine traditional technicians and artists will be sharing their creations and hidden secrets through educational seminars. The festival also includes a fine photography exhibition 'Crete, from the past to the present' by well known Cretan photographer Apostolos Zeiibekis, and Lou Duro, an American journalist /writer will be presenting his latest book 'On the road to Here', a collection of poems revealing experiences from the island of Crete.
Classical Music Performances
The highlight of the Aegean Arts Festival are the high class performances by International classical music artists and exceptional young professionals which will be held at the "Panagiotakis" open theatre in Episkopi Pediados. Entrance to all evening perfomances is free. There is ample seating but we advise you to come early. All events will start at 21.30 and will end approximately at 23.30.
PROGRAMME
Friday // 4th July @ 21:30
Vassilis Tsabropoulos play Chopin
The festival curtain raises with an evening of the finest piano playing by Greece’s Internationally celebrated conductor, composer and pianist Vassilis Tsabropoulos. An artist whose international standing has identified him as a Master of the Piano.
Saturday // 5th July @ 21:30
Harmony Perdu and Clio Isis Piano/Saxophone duo -France
Exceptional musicians from the Strasbourg Superior Music Academy. Clio Theodoridi was born in Crete. After graduating from the Music School of Heraklion she followed her passion for the saxophone in France where she continues to study. She partners the French pianist Harmony Perdu-Alloy in presenting an exciting programme of works by S.D Milhaud, C.Frank., G.Faύre, C.Debussy and J.Demersemar.
Sunday // 6th July @ 21:30
'Pirates and Fairies' Richard Taylor Acoustic Guitar-UK with Gogo Sfakianaki
Cretan born writer and storyteller Gogo Frangaki engages with Richard Taylor, one of Britain's leading soloist and composers of modern acoustic guitar in an evening of musical fairytale which will appeal to all ages!
Monday // 7th July @ 21:30
'Il Puerto' Notis Mavroudis & George Tosikian - Classical guitar duo
An evening of delightful melodies from Latin America presented by unrivalled Greek guitar virtuoso Notis Mavroudis and the fine young talented guitarist George Tosikian.
Tuesday // 8th July @ 21:30
'Music as Medicine' Musical dialogue by leading cardiologist Thanassis Dritsas
Leading Cardiologist, scientist, composer and writer Thanassis Dritsas presents a 'musical' dialogue about his research in music as medicine and the benefits of music as a healing and therapeutic tool.
Wednesday // 9th July @ 21:30
Piano recital by Dina Duisen - Kazakstan
Exceptionally gifted young Kazakstan pianist Dina Duisen (award winning piano soloist) presents a program of works by A.Lyador, T.Ades, F.Chopin, N.Mendygallier, S.Prokofiev and J.Haydn.
Thursday // 10th July @ 21:30
Piano recital by Kostas Anastasopoulos
The festival will be concluded with a recital from a fine young composer / pianist. Kostas Anastassopoulos is a fervent enthusiast of the "smaller" but equally significant composers whose works are less heard by the public. He supports them with passion. An artist of enormous potential whose own compositions for piano have won outstanding reviews. Kostas will present a program of works by J.Duphly, E.W.Korngold, W.Stenhammar, E.Greig, J.Ireland and K.Anastasopoulos.