Chios is experiencing the pulse of the 4th THE CHIOS FESTIVAL this year, which takes place from August 25 to September 7, transforming the island into a center of Culture, dialogue and innovation. Among the most important moments of the program are the events on August 29 and 30, 2025 at the historic Castelli mansion, where personalities from politics and the arts met in two highly symbolic evenings.
Friday, August 29 – High-Level Dialogue and Opera Evening
The program opened with a speech by Apostolos Tzitzikostas (pictured above) , EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.
Mr. Tzitzikostas referred to the main European strategies that will be presented at the end of the year for European ports and European shipping, emphasizing the Union’s priorities regarding competitiveness, security, digital and energy transition, as well as sustainability, with an emphasis on cleaner fuels, connectivity and cohesion.
He then referred to projects related to Chios through EU funding, such as: the upgrade of the airport, the creation of an Industrial Research and Development Center for mastic, the construction of two kindergartens, the improvement of the infrastructure of the Chios General Hospital and asphalt paving projects. At the same time, projects are being implemented in 32 ports of small islands, while he referred to the creation of a public maritime transport system, as well as the sea metro, which will solve many connectivity issues especially on the islands.
The Commissioner highlighted two recent European successes. The first concerns the European Commission’s proposal to double the resources available in Europe’s infrastructure and transport budget, while the second relates to the decision to make a separate reference to tourism in the European budget, which shows the recognition of the sector as a key priority of the European Union. This portfolio has been assigned to him by the President of the Commission. As he stressed, the EU is a “tourism superpower”, with Greece among the top ten destinations worldwide and among the top five in Europe.
Mr. Tzitzikostas also announced that the first European strategy for tourism is being planned, which will be presented in early 2026. This strategy, as he underlined, will be developed in collaboration with people in the sector and will focus on training and upgrading human resources skills, supporting businesses in their transition to a digital mode of operation, simplifying access to European financing, as well as leveraging new technologies and artificial intelligence. At the same time, it will integrate tourism with transport, promoting faster, easier and higher quality cross-border travel, with full protection of passenger rights.
Referring to the new initiatives, he announced the presentation of a pan-European high-speed rail system that will connect all European capitals. Regarding Greece, he spoke about the need to develop tourism throughout the year, expressing the certainty that Chios can be a four-season tourist destination. He also stressed that his goal is for insularity to be a mainstay of EU strategies, through shipping, infrastructure and transport.
Concluding his speech, he stated: “I remain at everyone’s disposal, for the benefit of Chios, Greece and Europe as a whole.”
Then, a discussion was held on the topic of “Politics and Culture”. The discussion began with the issue of the “West” and whether it still exists as a single political and geostrategic entity. Professor Kevin Featherstone from the London School of Economics initially developed his reasoning around the question “Do we still have a West today?”, focusing in particular on Donald Trump’s strategy and the implications it may have for both Europe and the United Kingdom. At this point, Loukas Tsoukalis , professor at Sciences Po and the National University of Athens, intervened with observations and comments, enriching the discussion with his own assessments of transatlantic cooperation relations and the limits of Western cohesion.
The discussion then turned to the future of the European Union. Loukas Tsoukalis analyzed whether the EU is responding to modern challenges and whether there are any changes in the dialogue on its future. The obstacles that continue to hold the Union back were touched upon, as well as the internal risks and threats that may weaken its course. Professor Kevin Featherstone also took a position, adding his own perspective on the prospects and weaknesses of the European project.
The discussion concluded with an open question about whether there is room for optimism or whether concern and pessimism should prevail for the future of both the West and Europe in general.
Particular importance was also given to the interventions of personalities who were honored for their work. Lord Simon Woolley , Principal of Homerton College in Cambridge, who describes himself as an activist, initially referred to the value of education, which is not enough on its own if it is not accompanied by values such as offering to the whole and not just to the individual. He then spoke about the racial inequalities that in many cases still apply today and closed his speech with wishes for the festival, its guests and its hosts.
Ioulia Tseti , President and CEO of OFET Group, highlighted the role of female entrepreneurship and social contribution, while Sofia Staikou , who is the creator of the Mastic Museum and former President of the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation, spoke about the need for institutions and businesses to actively support cultural creation. The Governor of the North Aegean, Kostas Moutzouris, awarded her an honorary distinction in recognition of her contribution.
The event concluded with a dazzling musical opera experience, with performances by Elena Kelesidou, Inca Balavanova, Giorgos Davlas and Dimitris Giakas on the piano.
Saturday, August 30 – “Scent of a Woman in the Myrrh-Bearing Plain”
The next day was dedicated to female personality.
The audience initially welcomed MEPs Eliza Vozeberg and Eleonora Meleti.
Eliza Vozeberg referred to the progress that the North Aegean has made through the extroversion and actions of the North Aegean Region, emphasizing that we went through a time when migration was a particularly big problem and we have now managed to make the islands of the Northeastern Aegean emerge as an attractive tourist destination.
At the same time, he emphasized that for the first time the European Union has a separate portfolio for tourism, a fact that demonstrates the importance now attributed to this specific sector.
In closing, he spoke about the Chios Festival, which has evolved into an institution of great importance for the place, as it promotes extroversion and highlights the potential of the Northeast Aegean as a tourist destination. At the same time, he called on the Chios Festival to be presented in Brussels, further highlighting the importance and uniqueness of the region.
Eleonora Meleti, after a brief introduction about the European Parliament and its activities, chose to focus on the issue of women’s solidarity. She emphasized that she does not believe in the concept of patriarchy, however, she recognizes that the subordinate position of women in history, and even today, is largely due to the lack of women’s solidarity.
She pointed out that many problems encountered in everyday life – salary, social, professional and others – stem from this lack of mutual support among women. From her personal experience, she said that women often do not offer each other the support they deserve.
In closing, he emphasized that this is the message he wants to convey to the Festival and, with pleasure, invited its participants to Brussels, as Ms. Vozeberg had mentioned earlier.
Immediately afterwards, George Arkadis (director of AMRO Bank) in his speech focused on the female personality and its contribution especially in the field of shipping. He recalled that from ancient times until today, women have demonstrated a dynamic character: from the way they supported male sailors, to the fact that many shipping companies were created by women, who encouraged and urged their husbands to invest in the sector.
He also noted that even today, a significant part of shipping consists of female entrepreneurs and shipowners, who play an active and decisive role in the field worldwide.
Finally, he gave the floor to Irini Veniamis, whom he warmly praised for her activity in shipping but also for her overall contribution.
Irini Veniamis (a shipping entrepreneur) – pictured above, in turn, looked back at her family’s history and past and then spoke about the position of women in shipping. She emphasized that, compared to the past, their position has clearly improved both quantitatively and qualitatively, however, she emphasized that it is not yet at the same level as that of men, who continue to outnumber them both numerically and in terms of salary.
He also referred to the technological development that is expected to affect the shipping sector, with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence. As he noted, as long as artificial intelligence is used within the correct legislative and ethical framework, it can only bring benefits: for workers, for humanity in general and for shipping itself.
The evening continued with Professor and Vice-Rector of the Athens School of Fine Arts Sofia Denisi, along with leading actress, writer and director Mimi Denisi, who presented in a theatrical and expressive manner letters from historical figures, such as Manto Mavrogenous and Domna Visvizi, highlighting the power of women’s presence in History.
The event culminated with a concert by internationally renowned composer and violinist Evanthia Reboutsika, who enchanted the audience with her melodies, who were moved and rewarded her with continuous bizarre performances and prolonged applause.
The Governor of the North Aegean, Costas Moutzouris, and his wife, Dimitra Moutzouris, warmly welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of the cultural mission of the institution, while the Castelli, with its historical aura, was not just a wonderful setting, but an active part of the experience, connecting the past with the present.
The coordination of these two glamorous events was successfully undertaken by journalist Irini Nikolopoulou (pictured above) .
THE CHIOS FESTIVAL proves that it is not a simple series of events; it is a vibrant platform for the international promotion of Chios, connecting brilliant scientists, artists and intellectuals with local history and contemporary sensitivity.
THE CHIOS FESTIVAL is under the auspices of UNESCO Greece, the Italian and the Swiss Embassy in Greece.
