The events of the 8th International Festival “European Polyphony” in Rhodes. A large crowd gathered in Eleftherias Square, in front of City Hall, to watch the open-air performance “The Cursed Bell-Ringers / Maudits Sonnants” by the French troupe Compagnie Transe Express.
The centerpiece of the show was the “Celestial Carillon,” a gigantic structure around which the performers soared through the air, combining music, percussion, theatrical elements, and acrobatics. The evening had begun earlier at the “To Rodon” Summer Cinema with parallel artistic activities, such as music, dance, and face painting.
The following groups participated in this preliminary segment:
- The Percussion Ensemble of the Rhodes Music School, conducted by Nikolaos Chasapis
- The Municipal Dance School with Elli Paraskeva
- Students from Rhodes’ elementary schools
- The Base and Fly Acrobatics team
The Deputy Mayor for Culture, Efstathios Manousakis, commenting on the conclusion of the events, noted: “The European Polyphony Festival has now become an important institution for Rhodes, standing out for the quality and originality of its events. Its climax—the spectacular aerial music concert—filled us with joy and emotion, offering the audience a unique artistic experience. I would like to warmly congratulate all those involved for their exceptional work and wish the Festival continued success as it evolves and enriches the cultural life of our region. The Municipal Authority of Rhodes has made culture a top priority by supporting initiatives, such as the European Polyphony Festival, that promote artistic creation, enhance the island’s openness to the world, and bring citizens closer to the arts. Our Rhodes, known for its significant cultural heritage, continues to this day to create, inspire, and emerge as a meeting point of cultures and contemporary artistic expressions.”
The 8th International “European Polyphony” Festival was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy, with the Region of South Aegean, the Municipality of Rhodes, and the Arts Spontanés organization serving as co-organizers. In addition, the event was supported by DERMAE, the Municipality of Rhodes’ Department of Culture, PROTOUR, the French Consulate in Rhodes, the Rhodes Hoteliers Association, the Dodecanese Ephorate of Antiquities, Ars Artis, the Museum of Modern Greek Art of the Municipality of Rhodes, and the Holy Metropolis of Rhodes.
