The wealth of Chios is its past, but also its human capital: the diabolical chiots who thrive inside and outside the territory thanks to their hard work and ideas. At the beginning of September, the 1st Chios Medieval Festival was organized on the island of the North Aegean region under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the EOT, with parallel three-day events in the city and the medieval village of the island, which remained untouched by time. Anyone who has been to Pirgi and Mesto knows that the Genoese occupation left an indelible mark. The festival is a new institution that paves the way for highlighting the diverse history of Chios, assisted by people who have their roots there. For example, the world-famous set designer, costume designer and artist Yannis Metzikof, who created a visual event in the castle called “Colors of another era” in collaboration with director and actor Antonis Loudaros. The purpose of the event is to revive the memories of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance through a special combination of music, poetry and spectacle.

The festival was graced by the presence of the Archbishop of America, Elpidophoros, whose mother, Nadia Lambriniadis, is of Kia descent. He was in his hometown on the occasion of being awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of the Aegean in the Faculty of Business Administration. In fact, during his stay, he opened an exhibition of the Renaissance theatrical costumes of Yannis Metzikofs at the Maria Tsakos Foundation, which is presented along with another tribute – modern swords, armor and jewelry – by the sculptor Pari Sivris. Journalist Irini Nikolopoulou, academician, NASA space scientist Stamatis Krimizis, Yannis Metzikof, award-winning architect Manolis Vournus and architecture history professor Dora Moniudi-Gavalas spoke at the opening.

The first medieval festival ended with a concert by Eleftheria Arvanitakis in the Aegean Botanical Garden, in the Nenita region. The Archbishop of America attended the concert and enjoyed the evening. His friendship with Arvanitaki has been going on for many years, ever since he was ordained in the Patriarchate of Constantinople. During his stay on the island, Mr. Elpidophoros visited the Ark of Peace facilities in the Aypos region, where mothers and children from Ukraine who left their country because of the war are accommodated. He also stressed that he would support the work of the institution: “I assure you that the Church and the Diaspora will continue to be on your side, and we will support you as long as we have such an opportunity.”