For fans of long-distance running, Chios Half Marathon is an experience not to be missed. It has been organized for the last seven years on Chios island, at the area of Kampos, an enchanting traditional settlement of unique natural beauty and impressive architecture.

With tales about fairies and elves, a contemporary interactive performance of music theatre based on speed dating and three concerts with a wide range of repertoire, from classical music and famous soundtracks, to traditional polyphonic songs but also covers from the international rock and jazz scene, the Chios Music Festival makes its comeback this summer. Three historical estates of Kampos, Karaviko, Riziko and Spyros Stephanou Estate, the Ottoman school at the Castle, the Amphitheatre of Oinousses and the Courtyard of the Archaeological Museum of Chios will welcome over 50 artists from Greece and abroad, musicians, actors, filmmakers, professionals and amateurs, who will praise in their own way, love life, love for the world, love for each other, love for the arts and music...

On Chios island, the cradle of the Greek shipping industry, we celebrate New Year by decorating model ships! “New Year’s model ships” is an authentic local tradition that takes place on New Year’s Eve normally at the town square, where locals and visitors can enjoy it.  

Groups from various neighbourhoods and parishes of Chios town, Vrontados and the villages form crews and work throughout the year to create their own model ship, either cargo or warship.  This time of year, they go around town carrying their model ship and singing traditional New Year’s carols of Chios island, which include custom made good wishes depending on who the recipient is, known as “penemata” in Greek. Penemata have improvised lyrics and follow musical paths of traditional Asia Minor carols.

On New Year’s Eve the crews gather at Chios town central square, or Homerion Cultural center, depending on the weather, to participate in “The best model ship contest”, organized by Chios Touring Club and Municipality of Chios. For a few hours, the crews stir up the town singing their “penemata”, and playing the traditional Chios bagpipe and the traditional drum. During the night, the crews visit neighborhoods all over town. People welcome them and listen to the carols and their good wishes, which are specially improvised to every household (the lyrics are adjusted depending on whether the specific household has children, immigrants or seamen).

Following this link, you can listen to an excellent performance of Chios traditional New Year’s carols and “penemata”, by Pantelis Thalassinos.

An exhibition of books on theatre and other findings from the archives of Koraes Public Library of Chios.

The Friends of Koraes Library have organises an exhibition of books and other findings from the Koraes archive on theatre, in the context of the 30ths Meeting of the Aegean Theatre Groups. The exhibition opened on Sunday October 30th, 2018 at the Library and it will be open to visitors through the autumn. Thus the Library, a pillar of knowledge, is actively participating in this celebration of theatre that is taking place in our island. 

This is an exciting exhibition of old editions of ancient writers (some dating back to 1524 and unique in Europe), the works of local intellectual Leon Allatios, first translations in modern greek and many more. It also includes old programmes from theatrical performances. 

It becomes apparent that the rich archives of Koraes library still keep many secrets that have to be explored by visitors, readers and researchers. 

The exhibition will be open from Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 15.00.

Έκθεση θεατρικών βιβλίων και τεκμηρίων στη Δημόσια Κεντρική Ιστορική Βιβλιοθήκη Χίου "Κοραής"

Με αφορμή την 30η Συνάντηση Ερασιτεχνικών Θιάσων του Αιγαίου, ο Σύλλογος  Φίλων της Βιβλιοθήκης Κοραή διοργανώνει έκθεση θεατρικών βιβλίων και τεκμηρίων, στη Βιβλιοθήκη Κοραή με έναρξη από τις 7 Οκτωβρίου 2018. Ένας θεσμός της γνώσης, όπως η Βιβλιοθήκη Κοραής συμμετέχει ενεργά στη γιορτή του θεάτρου.

Θα προκαλέσουν συγκίνηση στον επισκέπτη οι παλαίτυπες εκδόσεις των αρχαίων συγγραφέων που χρονολογούνται από το 1524, κάποιες από αυτές μοναδικές στον ευρωπαϊκό χώρο, η Δραματουργία του συμπατριώτη λόγιου Λέοντος Αλλάτιου, οι πρώτες μεταφράσεις στα Νέα Ελληνικά. Αλλά ακόμα κι ο μεγάλος πλούτος της Βιβλιοθήκης του Γιώργου Θεοτοκά, οι πρώτες εκδόσεις με ιδιόχειρες  υπογραφές των συγγραφέων, ακόμα και τα «εφήμερα» προγράμματα που διατηρούν το άρωμα θεατρικών παραστάσεων στο χρόνο.

Το μήνυμα που μεταδίδει η  παρούσα Έκθεση, για τον επισκέπτη, τον αναγνώστη, τον φίλο του θεάτρου, τον ερευνητή είναι ότι οι θησαυροί της Βιβλιοθήκης Κοραή, της Βιβλιοθήκης μας, είναι ανεξάντλητοι και μας περιμένουν με αγάπη και υπομονή να τους ανακαλύψουμε.

Τα εγκαίνια της έκθεσης πραγματοποιήθηκαν την Κυριακή 7 Οκτωβρίου 2018 ώρα 11.00, με παράλληλο τιμητικό αφιέρωμα στο Γιώργο Θεοτοκά (θεατρικό αναλόγιο στο μονόπρακτο Όταν πέφτει το Βράδυ) με τη φροντίδα των συντελεστών της 30ης Συνάντησης Ερασιτεχνικών Θιάσων του Αιγαίου.

Η έκθεση θα είναι επισκέψιμη το επόμενο χρονικό διάστημα κατά το ωράριο λειτουργίας της Βιβλιοθήκης Κοραή (εργάσιμες ημέρες 08.00 – 15.00).