The 19th Medieval Festival of Rhodes was held with great success on October 9–11 at Alchadef Park and Panagia tou Vourgo, featuring parades and events in the main streets and squares of the Medieval City, organized and planned by the “Medieval Rhodes” association, in collaboration with the Municipality of Rhodes—Department of Culture and the Region of South Aegean. With the support of the Dodecanese Ephorate of Antiquities.
The program began with a themed evening event on October 9, focusing on European medieval combat and its connection to the present day, featuring HEMA fencer Thanasis Diamantis as the speaker. This was followed over the weekend of October 10–11 by a rich program of stage parades, educational and recreational activities, and artistic events, which were attended with great enthusiasm by a large crowd of adults and children, Greeks and tourists alike. Many of the events were interactive, and attendees had the opportunity to participate and become part of this unique setting that transformed Alchadef Park into a Gateway to Time, which “Medieval Rhodes” has named the Living History Park. The events concluded with the presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to sponsors and volunteers, followed by the dramatized storytelling performance “Heroine Anastasia—A Legend of 1522 AD,” directed by Anna Achiola and choreographed by Pavlos Seirinopoulos, featuring the sword-fighting and reenactment group of the “Medieval Rhodes” association, as well as the guest appearances of the “Gondor’s Battalions” group and the “ArtThalies” theater workshop. The performance moved the audience and left a very positive impression. At the end of the event, the Medieval Bards performed. The two-day program also featured the musical groups Bellotanos and Safaq, as well as other professional and amateur artists.
“Medieval Rhodes” would like to extend its warmest thanks to all those who contributed to and supported the organization of the 19th Rhodes Medieval Festival, including the Commissioner for the Medieval City and Monuments, Deputy Mayor Sotiris Vagianos, the Rhodes Municipal Welfare Organization and the responsible Deputy Mayor Savvina Papageorgiou, the Koskinou Municipal Community and its president Yiannis Tsoulos, the Rhodes Cultural and Architectural Heritage Association and its president, Nektaria Dasakli.
Also, the collaborating groups: Gondor’s Battalions, Griffin HSHR, Protospatharioi, the “Ippotis” Chess Club, the Rhodes Association for Greek-Russian Friendship and Cooperation, the Agios Ioannis Senior Citizens’ Center, the EPOMEA Rescue Team, and the ArtThalies theater group.
A heartfelt thank you also goes to the artisans who showcased their craft at the Medieval Living History Park: Frank Kock (archery & catapult), Marko Jendreizik (stained glass), Nikos Keleparas (mosaics & pebble art), Marializa Petropoulou (plant-based dyes), Mary Giannikaki (icon painting), Irini Katsidoni (plant-based products), the Mariettou Brothers (woodcarving), Kyriaki Vasilaina (embroidery), as well as the artists who volunteered their time: Osman on percussion and Dave Norwoods on the didgeridoo. Also, to the volunteers who helped or participated in various roles: Rena Xyppa (narrator), Maria Achiola – Anna Kouloumpri – Paris Kouloumpri (refreshment stand), Nikos Kypriotis (sword-fighting performance), Nikos Detsis (grass rope), Maria Zervou – Athina Papadopoulou (costume department), Vasilis Vakondios, Katerina Fanitsa, and Panagiotis Soropidis.
Last but certainly not least, “Medieval Rhodes” owes a huge thank you to the members of the association’s Sword Fighting and Reenactment Group who actively contributed to the continuation of the event: Pavlos Seirinopoulos, Savvas Syropoulos, Michael Heller, Panagiotis Spyropoulos, Nikos Tzimoulis, Polydeuki Vanidi, Michalis Grigorakis, Vasilis Chamos, Lefteris Mila, Panagiotis Pastrikos, Giorgos Chamos, Argyro Margaroni, and Giola Pelekanou on percussion.
The contribution of the Medieval Festival’s sponsors was also significant, and the association wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to them: PAPPOU Supermarket, FILIPPOS Catering, BLUE STAR Ferries, BEEROKOUTO, RODITIKI Ladopita, Dodecanese Beekeeping, and ROMEO Restaurant. And to the Media Sponsors: THARRI TV, LYCHNARI Radio, the RODIAKI Newspaper, and the websites: EN LEFKO, WE ARE RHODES, and RHODES.com.gr
We thank the TV programs that covered the 19th Rhodes Medieval Festival: “Perimeter” on ERT3 and “Mia Ellada Paréa” on Open.
Photos and videos of the events can be found on the “Medieval Rhodes” association’s page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/medievalrose. For more information: www.medievalfestival.gr
The photographs from the event were curated by Anastasia Tsikki.
