Days of dreams and spiritual awakening are dawning once again in our region. The 10th Rhodes Festival of Artistic Creation opens its doors from September 1 through 30, 2026, celebrating a full decade of uninterrupted dedication, high ideals, and authentic artistic expression. With free admission to all events, this institution stands as a living ode to Culture, Art, and Creativity, devotedly weaving our collective future under the abundant light of the Aegean.
From its very inception at the historic “Tholos de Milly” in Symi Square in the Old Town in 2016 —an inspired initiative by composer and performer Takis Vouis, Artistic Director of the institution—the Festival has evolved into an unwavering beacon of humanity. Its purpose and vision remain unwavering: to highlight the creative spirit of Rhodian artists, across all the arts, while tirelessly supporting volunteerism and the timeless values that keep humanity standing, always guided by uncompromising quality.
Tribute: Christodoulos Papachristodoulou
This year, the institution pays tribute to a leading figure in Greek literature, the late Christodoulos Papachristodoulou. A man of rare intellectual clarity and deep dedication, he devoted his life to documenting and preserving the soul and history of our land, authoring the monumental work on the history of Rhodes. His thought and work remain a compass for moral and cultural responsibility, teaching us that history encompasses the deep roots of our own identity and is not merely a chronology of events.
Honored Island of the Dodecanese: Leros
This year, the heart of the Festival beats to the rhythm of beautiful Leros, the Dodecanese island of honor for 2026. Last June, Leros hosted the conference of the Dodecanese House of Letters and Arts, cementing the bonds between literature and art. Leros, an island with a rich history, a unique character and aesthetic, meets the vibrant Lerian community that lives and creates year-round in Rhodes, composing a shared and unbroken cultural mosaic of the archipelago.
Year 2026: A Tribute to Rodini Park
This year’s anniversary celebrations center on the iconic Rodini Park. An ancient site, bathed in greenery and the silence of the ages, it has served as a gathering place for people throughout the centuries, once hosting the great splendors, the wanderings of the sages of antiquity, and the unforgettable, legendary Wine Festivals. Rodini has always been the lifeblood and cradle of joy for our region.
However, the park’s current state reflects the sadness of neglect, as, unfortunately, even to this day, the necessary, radical interventions for its revitalization and proper maintenance have not been carried out. Such a brilliant cultural hub deserves to be restored from the ravages of time. The entire Festival could be held there every year, transforming the Rodini into a permanent, vibrant center of the arts and culture. History echoes along its paths, urgently calling for the touch of care and renewal to harmoniously bridge yesterday’s splendor with tomorrow.
A Rich Program & Diverse Activities
This year’s program includes a wide range of artistic events:
• Exhibitions: Visual art, crafts, and handmade jewelry.
• Literature & Books: Book presentations that open windows to new worlds of thought.
• Music & Movement: Musical and dance performances where melody meets the movement of the soul.
• Screenings: Film screenings and intellectual discussions
.“The Festival relies exclusively on volunteerism, selfless contribution, and a love for our cultural heritage. No artist is paid; everyone participates out of pure love for the region.” — Takis Vouis, Artistic Director
Co-organization & Organizers
The 10th Rhodes Festival of Artistic Creation is co-organized by the Dodecanese House of Letters and Arts, the Region of South Aegean, the DOPAR Directorate, the Federation of Dodecanese Community Associations of Rhodes, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture — the Dodecanese Ephorate of Antiquities, the Museum of Modern Greek Art – Nestorideion Melathron, the French Consulate in Rhodes / the French Residence, the Rhodes Environmental Protection Association, the Rhodes Association for Architecture and Cultural Heritage, and the support of the Constantine Mitsis Foundation.
The event’s iconic logo was designed by the late Vangelis Pavlidis.
Media Sponsors: Radio Lychnari, Lotos Magazine, the newspapers “Demokratiki” and “I Rodiaki,” TV IRIDA & TV THARRI, the website “En Lefko,” all media outlets, and Chrysa Theocharidou.
EVENT SCHEDULE•
Tuesday, September 1 (7:00 p.m.): Opening and Inauguration of the Manos Anastasiadis Painting Exhibition—Exhibition Title: “Two-Way Interactions, South Aegean–Paris” (Runs through September 12) | French Residence (Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
• Thursday, September 3 (7:00 p.m.): Tribute to the writer Christodoulos Papachristodoulou – Marietta Papachristodoulou & Chrysoula Zouba | French
Residence• Friday, September 4 (8:00 PM): Panakeia: Two-Day Tribute (Day 1) |
Rodon Cinema• Saturday, September 5 (8:00 PM): Panakeia: Two-Day Tribute (Day 2) |
Rodon Cinema• Monday, September 7 (8:00 p.m.): Kallithies Philharmonic Orchestra – Opening of musical events | Hippocrates Square – Old
Town Fountain • Wednesday, September 9 (9:00 PM): Concert featuring the Municipality of Rhodes Experimental Choir (conducted by Giorgos Sakellaridis, with soloists: Dimitris Iosif, Leonidas Sakellaridis, and Eleftheria Zarakis)| Palace of the Grand Master•
Saturday, September 12 (7:00 p.m.): Leros Orchestra – Honored Island Ceremony and Exhibition Closing | French
Residence• Sunday, September 13 (9:00 p.m.): Rock Concert with OUTPAS | Medieval
City Theater• Friday, September 18 (7:00 p.m.): Poetry: Poets of Rhodes |
Nestorideion• Sunday, September 20 (8:00 p.m.): IRIDA TV Awards Ceremony & Music and Dance Performance Featuring: “Ta Manousakia” and traditional dance groups | Medieval
Moat Theater• Tuesday, September 22 (9:00 p.m.): EMELLON Music Ensemble |
Rodon Cinema-Theater• Wednesday, September 23 (9:00 p.m.): Rhodes Dance Groups – Event Coordinator: Maria Manioti – Award Ceremony for Elli Paraskeva |
Rodon Cinema-Theater• Thursday, September 24 (8:00 PM): Songs for a Lifetime | Musical Performance: Performance & Artistic Direction by Zoe Kokkala; Featuring: Natalie Eleftheriou, Yiannis Papatheodorou, Angelos Kritikos, Iliana Diakogeorgiou (and guest artists) Piano Accompaniment: Penelope Kalafata | Panagia tou
Bourgos• Friday, September 25 (8:00 p.m.): Music School – Manos Hadjidakis Tribute Year and a varied musical program | Panagia tou
Bourgos• Saturday, September 26 (7:30 p.m.): Environmental Association – Public awareness event on urban green spaces, focusing on Rodini, forest fires, and the environmental footprint of Rhodes Airport – Musical event honoring the artists Manos Loizos and Vasilis Tsitsanis | Kremasti Flower Garden,
Rhodes • Tuesday, September 29 (6:00 p.m.): “Time Travelers – Rhodes, Our Home,” Festival of Art, Expression & Tradition (Presentation • Workshops • Exhibition • Local Dances & Songs) CHARAVGI Children’s Art Workshop | Nestorideio (Summer Theater)
• Wednesday, September 30 (8:30 p.m.): Cine Club—Education in audiovisual literacy. “Presentation and screening of artistic works by Rhodian creators in the field of audiovisual and cinematic creation” | Rodon
Cinema Festival Coordinating Committee •
Takis Vouis – Artistic
Director• Manos Anastasiadis – Member of the Organizing Committee•
Nikos Konstantinidis – Member of the Organizing Committee