The idea of ​​creating a small festival dedicated to art and specifically animation was first presented in 2007 by a small group that loves cinema and culture in general to the then mayor of Ermoupoli. Ioannis Decavalla. It will open in a few months. Animasiros which would have a significant impact not only on culture, but also on the island of Syros itself.

Over the years, the festival has grown, enriched with its activities and acquired an international character. It is now one of the most important festivals in the country and also one of the most special in Europe for film and animation. “The project began with the love of amateurs and remains largely voluntary, but also has many paid employees,” he says in cathimerini.gr Vassilis KaramitsanisThe president Animasyros International Film Festival + Animation Market.

“I had the privilege of overseeing the birth of the festival while working from another position in the then municipal government of Ermoupolis. The truth is that over the years this festival never ceases to amaze us and is constantly enriched. It has evolved into the leading – dare I say it – island festival and a global benchmark for animation. He made me, like many other Syrians, love cartoons,” she adds. Aliki LeontaritisDeputy Mayor for Culture of Syros – Ermoupolis.

This year, from 20 to 25 Septemberactors and guests will celebrate 15 years since the first event with original screenings and events. “This is a sign of maturity, and that maturity is now visible in the growth of the organization as well as the richness of the program. 15 years is an important milestone in a business that continues with small steps and grows,” emphasizes Mr. Karamitsanis.

For example, this year the festival is expected to host for the first time three very important countries in the field of European and world animation: Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. In addition, the seminars are dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the catastrophe in Asia Minor. “All our seminars are thematic, they are dedicated to this anniversary, which, although not a pleasant one, was fateful for the formation of New Hellenism and very important in historical terms,” the president explains.

But this year the Agora, which started 7 years ago as a small idea to enrich the content of the festival and today is the most important and strategic pillar of Animasyros, is expanding. “We are working with the very large French studio NEF Animation and we will also have entries from all over the world, a pre-selected five films will compete for the Agora Prize with important gifts from the studio and other festival participants. ”

In addition to the established Apollo Theater, which is the cradle of the festival, it is located in several places in Hermoupolis, such as the Spiritual Center, the Kiveli Institute, Miauli Square with open screenings, Ano Syros, Poseidonia, Finikas.

Community Contribution

The cosmopolitan island of the Cyclades is known not only for its architecture and history, but also for its rich culture. “Syros is home to many important festivals and cultural events with a unique character for such a small regional capital,” explains Mr. Karamitsanis.

Of course, the founding team’s efforts to create such an enterprise could not have succeeded without the support of the local community. “When I talk about the local community, I also mean organized society (local government of the first/second degree, region, municipality, etc.), informal groups, as well as individuals who contribute. Animasiros, with a series of targeted actions, mainly in the second and third years, today affects the society of Syros, even people who are not associated with cinema and animation,” the president says. And he adds: “Many people come to Animasiros because they feel that it is something personal, of course, the result of systematic efforts. We participate all year round in carnival events, in Christmas events, in summer in workshops on the beaches. We are very interested in the island and during the festival we involve, for example, the elderly in cooperation with KAPI, the disabled in cooperation with the Foundation for the Disabled – MEA of Ermoupolis and schools. For the first time this year, we are collaborating with the Delasal School in Syros, as we have already collaborated with all the primary and secondary schools on the island.”

According to Ms. Leontaritis, “the relationship between the Syrians and ‘Anima’, as we affectionately call them by the locals, is a movement of mutual offer and support, a stable, creative rendezvous of our island’s culture, social participation and international mobility.” .

Aid to tourism

But what is the role of the local community in the development and evolution of the institution? “The recognition and acceptance of the festival by the local community over the years is the result of a mixed effort, on the one hand, the festival to get closer to the society, and on the other hand, the society to positively assimilate all this and integrate it into its current personality” , emphasizes Mr. Karamitsanis.

EOT, the Central Tourism Agency in our country, has been supporting Animasyros for years, recognizing that “tourism and culture go hand in hand”. This of course also applies to Syros and especially to Ermoupoli, which bear such a historical and cultural imprint. “The tourist trail that Animasyros now reaches at the end of the tourist season has been, to a certain extent, chosen by the municipal authorities, who have asked us that the festival should ideally take place at the end of September.”

“We came up with the idea of ​​a festival of such a modern art form as animation with the participation of participants from all over the world to close the section of our summer cultural festivals. We did not expect that the organizers would pay so much attention to promoting Syros as a destination for all kinds of excursions. We are especially proud of the international advertising that Animasyros brings to our island and has undoubtedly had a significant impact on the increase in Syros traffic in recent years,” says Ms. Leontaritis.