IN PRINCIPIA ERAT VERBUM ( Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος)
The
European Polyphony Festival celebrates its eighth creative year in Rhodes.
Dedicated to classical music, visual arts and cinema, the 8th European Polyphony Festival opens its doors from September 28 to October 10, 2026, presenting a rich and multifaceted programme of events. The programme includes musical concerts, exhibitions, musical and historical walks, educational music workshops, a spectacular open-air aerial music performance, as well as many more surprises. A high-calibre artistic event
For fourteen consecutive days, the medieval city of Rhodes is transformed into a vibrant laboratory of music and art. The Festival offers audiences the opportunity to take part in a wide range of interactive music workshops and attend concerts of exceptional artistic quality, featuring internationally acclaimed artists and musical ensembles. It offers a fresh and engaging way for audiences to discover classical music through the arts.
One of the
Festival’s principal aims is to highlight Rhodes as a leading artistic capital
and establish the island as one of the world’s most important destinations for
cultural tourism. Another key priority of the Festival is to foster and promote
music among younger generations. It is very important to say that admission is
free to all events.
What the
FEP2026 programme includes: Three concerts featuring international artists and musical ensembles, a musical
and historical walk, a spectacular aerial music performance by Compagnie Transe
Express, featuring the breathtaking production Maudits Sonnants / The Cursed
Bell Ringers, presenting a unique celestial spectacle. Also a photography and
sound exhibition, “Résonances”, exploring disability through art.Two
educational programmes:
a. Music
workshops with the Mikrokosmos Choir team, aimed at more than 1,000 primary
school children.
b. Workshops and rehearsals with Nikos Kypourgos to prepare the children’s choirs and the Rhodes Music School for the proposed concert. And, an online screening programme of short films and documentaries. The Artistic Direction: Chrysanthos Antoniou, co-founder and co-artistic director Festival European Polyphony, Savvas Karantzias, co-founder and co-artistic director Festival European Polyphony and the sensibility and knowledge of Professor Dr. Spyros Syropoulos.
ART
EXHIBITION – PHOTOGRAPHY AND SOUND, “Résonances”
The 8th
edition of the European Polyphony Festival (and 4th edition in Paris) offers the opportunity to
discover the unique exhibition “Résonances”, featuring photography and sound
art — the result of an artistic residency born from the collaboration of four
artists: Peggy Herbeau and Christophe Fillieule (photography), Chrysanthos
Antoniou and Savvas Karantzias (composition).
The
exhibition traces the journey of a composer with a disability to Tallinn, where
he collaborated with one of the world’s most renowned choirs to create a new
musical work. Résonances documents this unique encounter and explores
disability through an interdisciplinary lens that merges sound and image. It
challenges perceptions and invites visitors to reconsider their relationship
with the senses. Each photograph is paired with an original musical
composition. QR codes placed beside the works allow visitors to listen to
the music as they explore the exhibition. Visitors are encouraged to bring
their own headphones for an immersive experience.
This project was made possible through the Culture Moves Europe mobility program, funded by the European Union and the Goethe-Institut, in collaboration with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Festival of European Polyphony.
«ODYSSEUS»
LECTURE & MUSICAL PERFORMANCE (30 September, 2026)
The work
“Odysseus” was born from a collaboration between Professor Spyros Syropoulos
and the two co-directors of the European Polyphony Festival, Savvas Karantzias
and Chrysanthos Antoniou.
It is a
multidimensional artistic project that combines spoken word and music,
highlighting the polyphonic and multicultural dimensions of the Odyssey,
while also exploring issues such as disability and inclusion.
The full
version of the work revisits eight episodes from the Odyssey through a close
interplay between narration and original musical composition. Inspired by
the tradition of the ancient rhapsodes, the project highlights the
universal, polyphonic and intercultural dimension of the Homeric epic.
The audience will have the opportunity to hear one of the musical sections, “Hades”, featuring the musical signature of Savvas Karantzias, performed by the Mikrokosmos Choir, with Chrysanthos Antoniou on violin.
The lecture,
with very intelligent powerpoint, will provide the audience with interpretive
tools for listening, placing the musical work “Hades” within its
mythological context and enhancing its artistic appreciation. At the Museum
of Modern Greek Art of the Municipality of Rhodes.
A
musical and historical walk
A
spectacular aerial music performance by Compagnie Transe Express, featuring the
breathtaking production Maudits Sonnants / The Cursed Bell Ringers,
presenting a unique celestial spectacle
Artistic
Direction: Chrysanthos Antoniou, co-founder and co-artistic director Festival
European Polyphony and Savvas Karantzias, co-founder and co-artistic director
Festival European Polyphony.
FRIDAY,
October 2, 2026
Performers:
Dulci Jubilo Chamber Choir, Mikrokosmos Choir – Octet, Christopher Gibert,
musical direction, composition, Savvas Karantzias, Chrysanthos Antoniou, violin,
Sébastien Gisbert, percussions.
Musical
Programme:
The art of movement and stillness is revealed through a polyphonic programme that takes the audience to the heart of sound, highlighting the dynamics and subtle details of contemporary musical creation.
It explores
the encounter of souls through the human voice, as a space of dialogue between
cultures and eras. At the heart of the concert are new compositions, including Katharsis
(2023–2024), a work for mixed choir, percussion and solo violin by
Greek composer Savvas Karantzias. It is a contemporary Mass in nine movements,
dedicated to Arvo Pärt and Veljo Tormis.
In
contrapuntal dialogue, French composer Christopher Gibert presents Hymnus,
an original work inspired by a 13th-century Occitan manuscript, combining
texts from the New Testament. This rare source guides a quest for light,
giving rise to a deeply contemplative musical language, at the Church of
the Annunciation of the Theotokos
SATURDAY, October
3 2026
Concert #02 “À la
française”. FRENCH
VOICES — From Poetry to Prayer
Performers:
Dulci Jubilo Chamber Choir, Christopher Gibert, musical direction
Musical
Programme :
A musical
journey between poetry and spirituality.
From Saint-Saëns
to Debussy, Ravel, Poulenc and Duruflé, this programme reveals the richness
and elegance of French vocal music. From the poetry of Charles d’Orléans to
sacred works inspired by prayer, nature and contemplation, the programme brings
together generations of composers in a celebration of the French musical
tradition. A journey where voices become poetry, landscape, prayer and light.
Full repertoire:
Camille Saint-Saëns, Christopher Gibert, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel,
Caroline Marçot, Pierre Villette, Francis Poulenc, Thomas Ospital, Maurice
Duruflé, Pauline Langlois de Swarte., at the Modern Greek Art Museum of Rhodes
MONDAY,
October 5, 2026. CONCERT #03 – CHILDREN’S DAY
“POLYPHONIC
MUSIC ENCOUNTER AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION”
Following
the successful organization of the meeting between the children’s choirs of
Rhodes and the Edvard Grieg Girls’ Choir from Norway, the Festival, wishing to contribute
to the continued development and strengthening of the work of Rhodes’
children’s choirs and their educators, dedicates a significant part of its
programme to children through the creation of “Children’s Day”.
This year, the Festival has the great honour of welcoming the distinguished teacher, educator and musician Nikos Kypourgos. This is a unique opportunity for the children of the participating children’s choirs and the Rhodes Music School to express themselves, learn and create through music and the creative approach of Nikos Kypourgos. A unique collaboration bringing together children’s voices through a repertoire of classical music and traditional melodies, promising an evening filled with polyphony, surprises and emotion.
Performers: Children’s Choir Ensemble of the Rhodes Municipal Conservatory, conducted by Angela Spanou, Amabile Children’s Choir of the Communication & Cultural Foundation of the Holy Metropolis of Rhodes, conducted by Michalis Kalaentzis, European Choir of the Rhodes Music School, conducted by Michalis Kalaentzis, “Agios Savvas” Archangelos Children’s Choir and the Children’s Choir of the 1st Sgourou Primary School, conducted by Petros Tsimperopoulos, Rhodes Municipality Children’s Choir, conducted by Georgios Sakellaridis, Rhodes Music School. Programme : Manos Hadjidakis, Nikos Kypourgos, and others, at the Melina Merkouri Theatre of the Medieval Moat, Medieval Town of Rhodes
SPECTACULAR
AERIAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Compagnie
Transe Express is a French group of artists who combine theatre and music in
their performances and parades. During the Festival, they will present one of
their most spectacular creations.
The Cursed
Bell Ringers/Maudits Sonnants
A poetic and unexpected open-air performance, a celestial spectacle that transforms public space into a stage of dreams. Strange and theatrical figures, full of humour and virtuosity, gather around the Heavenly Carillon. The bells ring out in a moment of collective harmony and, as the performers slowly rise into the air, the audience is swept away into a breathtaking vision that offers a rare sense of eternity. With no electronic amplification, the sounds travel across the entire city, creating a magical experience of celebration, emotion and shared participation.
More than 1.000
students from the primary schools of Rhodes will take part in this spectacular
musical show, transforming the city centre into a great celebration of sound,
colour and movement. The students will prepare for the performance by
participating in music workshops organised by the Festival in collaboration
with the educational team of the Mikrokosmos Choir.
SATURDAY,
OCTOBER 10, 2026
Artists’
Meet-Up — With Many Surprises Before the Grand Show
Music,
percussion, face painting, magic…Performers: Percussion Ensemble of the Rhodes
Music Schools, under the direction of Nikolaos Chasapis, Rhodes Primary Schools.
Open-Air Theatre “To Rodon”, Eleftherias Square.
Also
afterwards, spectacular aerial music performance. Performers: Compagnie Transe
Express, at the Rhodes' Town Hall, Eleftherias Square.
MUSICAL
AND HISTORICAL WALK
Walk
through the Medieval City of Rhodes, discovering its hidden history and
acoustics.
The much-anticipated musical walk returns to the Old Town, offering an innovative connection between music and historical exploration. Professor Spyros Syropoulos will bring the myths and stories of the Old Town to life, walking alongside the musicians.
A study of
sound transmission in different locations and acoustic environments will be
carried out, while the audience will have the opportunity to meet, exchange
ideas, and engage in dialogue with the participating artists.
TUESDAY,
OCTOBER 6, 2026. Participants: Mikrokosmos Choir – Octet and Dr. Spyros
Syropoulos, at the Medieval City of Rhodes. There are also MUSIC WORKSHOPS FOR
ADULTS (These interactive workshops are aimed at amateur and professional
musicians who are interested in experiencing a completely different approach to
music), AND MUSIC WORKSHOPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
The music
and artistic practice workshop is aimed at young people aged 6–12 and 13–18.
Appropriate practices and pedagogical approaches will be applied according to
the participants’ age group.
CINEMA – SCREENINGS, Documentary Screening. A documentary produced by the European Polyphony Festival, “The Art of Movement” (2025), Olympia Gauguet.
The
documentary The Art of Movement explores the issue of disability and
accessibility through the lens of artistic creation. It follows the journey of
a composer with a disability as he undertakes an original composition for one
of the world’s most renowned choirs.
Through
this journey, the documentary highlights the challenges and sources of
inspiration of an artist confronting the realities of accessibility, while at
the same time celebrating music as a driving force. It captures the overcoming
of limitations and the collective strength involved in the pursuit of an artistic
expression without boundaries.
Partners
of the FEP
The European Polyphony Festival is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy. It is co-organised by the South Aegean Region, the Municipality of Rhodes and the association Arts Spontanés.
With the valued support of the Ministry of Culture, the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy, Rhodes Municipal Enterprises S.A. (D.E.R.M.A.E.), the Directorate of Culture - Municipality of Rhodes, the organization for the promotion of Rhodian Tourism (PROTOUR), the French Consular Authority in Rhodes, the Rhodes Hotel Association, the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Dodecanese of the Ministry of Culture, the Ars Artis organisation, the Museum of Modern Greek Art of the Municipality of Rhodes, the Holy Metropolis of Rhodes, as well as private sponsors who generously support culture, such as TELEKOM, Mitsis and Atrium Hotels & Resorts.
Media Partners: ERT South Aegean, Third Programme, Athens News Agency, Radio Lychnari, Aegean Television of the Dodecanese, Tharri Television, Dimokratiki, I Rodiaki, Rodos Report, Lotos Magazine, En Lefko.
Nota bene: I attended many concerts and everything was a huge privilege and honor, specially to meet Dr. Spyros Syropoulos, Savvas Karantzias and Christopher Gibert. Thank all of them and the gorgeous and prepared island of Rhodes, so precious to me.
Information:
FEP. Its organization and selection, Alicia Perris. Webmaster, Julio Serrano.
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