HALKIDIKI – The Aristotelia Festival continued with an impressive array of events including the iconic Axion Esti of Odysseas Elytis set to music by Mikis Theodorakis which was presented on July 4 in a narrative-musical performance, featuring singer Vasilis Lekkas, at the Port of Olympiada overlooking the historical and natural setting of Ancient Stagira.
This musical encounter honored the multifaceted work of Nobel Prize-winning poet Elytis, as well as other award-winning Greek creators, constituting a hymn to the musical lyricism of Theodorakis. Lyricism, according to Aristotle’s thought, functions as a “tool” for shaping characters, conveying timeless messages of culture, humanity, and collective memory. Beneath Ancient Stagira, which for centuries has gazed upon the Macedonian sea routes of the Aegean, the influential personalities of Aristotle, Elytis, and Theodorakis came to life again as symbols and as ideals.
The Aristotelia 2026 included the Mount Athos – Caucasus Dance event. Photo: Courtesy of Eastern Halkidiki
In addition to Vasilis Lekkas, who has linked his name with the interpretation of Theodorakis’ work, the performance featured guitar soloist Manolis Androulidakis, chanter Konstantinos Koutsouros, and narrator Aristarchos Katsarkas. The artistic encounter was accompanied by the ‘Aristotle’ Camerata Orchestra, the En Choro – Vocal Ensemble and the New Choir of the Municipality of Kalamaria, while the orchestration and direction was by Kostis Papazoglou.
The Aristotelia 2026 included the Mount Athos – Caucasus Dance event. Photo: Courtesy of Eastern Halkidiki
Aristotelis Mayor Stelios Valianos stated: “An emblematic institution hosts an emblematic event against an emblematic backdrop, that of Ancient Stagira. During the time of this concert, residents and visitors alike experienced and felt the inspiration generated by the historical legacy of creators such as Odysseas Elytis and Mikis Theodorakis, who composed hymns for the freedom, justice, and light of Greece.”
Also at this year’s Aristotelia, the spectacular performance presented on May 30 by 500 dancers and musicians from Georgia was a milestone experience for the Municipality of Aristotelis, Halkidiki, as well as for the approximately 1,000 spectators, as the event constituted the first attempt to include the uninhabited islet of Drenia of Ammouliani in the repertoire of an already diverse tourist destination.
The Aristotelia 2026 included the Mount Athos – Caucasus Dance event. Photo: Courtesy of Eastern Halkidiki
Indeed, the sandy beach of Drenia between Ouranoupoli and Mount Athos was transformed into a theatrical setting of unparalleled natural beauty for the show which featured impressive choreography and dances by experienced performers in colorful traditional costumes, and music, which harmoniously combined with the otherworldly environment.
The event and the project entitled ‘Mount Athos – Caucasus’ are a way of culturally connecting Eastern Halkidiki with Georgia, they strengthen the extroversion of the region towards eastern tourist markets and are part of the revival of The Aristotelia.
The Aristotelia 2026 included the Mount Athos – Caucasus Dance event. Photo: Courtesy of Eastern Halkidiki
Aristotelis Mayor Stelios Valianos said: “I owe warm thanks to all those who contributed, executives of the Municipality of Aristotelis, dancers, spectators, boat crews, volunteers, who gave life to a bold blockbuster, which was organized for the first time and made such an impression on all those who attended. It is a legacy for the future and perhaps an example for other areas of our homeland, full of seas and islands, the transformation of an uninhabited piece of land into a natural setting for cultural dialogue and a comparative advantage that is added to the already many advantages of Greece.”
‘The Arnaia Wedding’ in Arnaia was also presented by the Municipality of Aristotelis, Halkidiki as part of the Aristotelia Festival on May 31. For the third consecutive year, the traditional wedding was revived.
The ritual of an authentic Arnaia wedding, as recorded in 1793 by the French Consul of Thessaloniki, Esprit-Marie Cousinéry, was mentioned in the book entitled ‘A Trip to Halkidiki in 1793’ by Stefanos Kotsianos. The French visitor was truly impressed by the wedding of that era, the colors, the dowries, the customs, the feast.
The Arnaia Wedding was held in Arnaia as part of the Aritstotelia Festival. Photo: Courtesy of Eastern Halkidiki
The wedding began from ‘to Chorostasi’ (Town Hall Square). The bride was adorned with the local bridal costume at the traditional guesthouse ‘Aristotelous, tou Alexandrou’, accompanied by local songs. Friends, families, relatives and villagers (‘psiki’) arrived early at the guesthouse, which is considered her ancestral home: in this way she said goodbye to her family, while her dowry was loaded onto the horses and then departed for her new home.
The groom prepared in the courtyard of the Folklore Museum of Arnaia, which replaced his own father’s house. Relatives and friends (‘psiki’) ‘dressed’ him in the traditional groom’s costume and sang to him, while the barber shaved him with soap and a straight razor as in the old days.
The Arnaia Wedding was held in Arnaia as part of the Aritstotelia Festival. Photo: Courtesy of Eastern Halkidiki
With traditional instruments, local music and dances from Arnaia, the groom’s ‘psiki’ began its journey towards the bride’s house. Wedding treats and moundovina (honeycomb tsipouro) were offered by relatives throughout the joyous procession.
The two processions met at the ‘Chorostasi’ and were led to the church. Immediately after the ceremony, the square was transformed into a traditional cafe and the wedding feast began, completing the reenactment.
The organization of the Municipality of Aristotelis is decisively supported by all local bodies, transforming the reenactment into an experiential experience and ensuring historical authenticity, as well as the greatest possible participation.
