From July 28 to August 6, the island of Chios will host the 9th Chios Music Festival, a now-established cultural institution of the summer season in the North Aegean. With its base in Chios and an extension to the nearby island of Oinousses, the festival blends local cultural heritage with global musical influences, fostering a creative and multicultural dialogue through sound and the shared experience of music.
Since its inception, the festival’s founders set a clear goal: to build a cultural bridge starting from Chios and spreading music and emotion throughout the North Aegean. In this spirit, the festival brings together artists from around the world while also providing a platform for local musicians, promoting solidarity, unity, and mutual understanding.
Highlights of the 2024 Program
July 28 & 30: The festival opens with a musical walking performance titled “With the Lantern of the Star” in Kalamoti.
July 29: At “Mikis’ House” in Chios Town, an all-day video installation titled “Traveling with Mikis” will pay tribute to Mikis Theodorakis.
July 31: An evening harp recital by Elisabeth Plank will take place in the lush region of Kampos.
August 2: A concert in nature under the program “Music in the Community” will be held at the scenic Vigla of Agia Eleni in Karfas.
August 3: Traditional and folk music come together at the Mastic Museum in Pyrgi with the event “The Maestro of Alonari”.
August 5: A concert will take place at Glaros Square in the port of Oinousses.
August 6: The festival will culminate with a grand classical music concert by the Berlin Music Ensemble, hosted at the atmospheric Stefanos Estate in Kampos.
Beyond Music: A Cultural and Economic Catalyst
The Chios Music Festival is more than just an artistic event. It serves as a catalyst for cultural networking, community engagement, and local development. With active participation from local communities and growing support from its broad audience, the festival strengthens the cultural identity of the region and boosts the local economy during the peak tourist season.
A key feature is the festival’s educational focus through the two-year “soundroutes” program, launched last year. This initiative supports young talents interested in improvisational music and aims to create a local musical hub, encouraging participation and highlighting Chios’ creative potential as a cultural center in the Aegean.
With consistency in its vision and eyes on the future, the Chios Music Festival continues to connect people and cultures in the most universal way possible: through music.
