A celebration of Music, Art & Women
The Eressos Women's Festival 2006 proved to be a very succesful celebration of Music, Art & Women. The two week festival was held from September 9th to September 23rd in Skala Eressos on Lesvos Island in Greece.
We're extremely proud that the number of visitors exceeded our own expectations and that you seem to have come from everywhere to celebrate the festival with us! The festival of 2006 has been visited by women from: France, Holland, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Israel, United States, Australia, New Zealand and of course Greece itself!
Festival Activities / Performances
Dance / Music
Sasja & Jantien; Argentinian Tango
Since 1990 Sasja & Jantien dance the Angentinian Tango in shows and performances. In 1995 they opened "Las Chicas", a women's danceschool in Amsterdam. Their name was known in Amsterdam, Hamburg, Cologn, Paris and Buenos Aires. They have traveled throughout Europe to pass on their enthousiams for this passionate dance.
During the festival Sasja & Jantien will teach the so-called Tango de Salon. This is an introvert dance and is danced all over the world in salons. In the workshop/course that they will give in Skala Eressos, you will learn the basic steps, but more important they will try to give you the feeling of what Agentinian Tango is all about.
Art Exhibitions
During the Eressos Women's Festival 2006 you will be able to visit many Art Exhibitions throughout the village.
Venues include the Elementary School, Margaritari, Internet @ Eressos, Antiopi Hotel, Sappho Garden of the Arts, Sappho Travel Office and the Tenth Muse Bar.
Workshops
Joy Marlow; Writing and Creative Workshops
Joy Marlow has lived in Eressos for two years. Here she is able to live her vision of creative community. She loves writing and the encouragement of self expression and creativity in other women.
She has been a writer for 40 years, and has undertaken creative writing projects with groups of young people and women. She facilitated Women Writers of Eressos.
Harita Meenee; Discovering the Wisdom of Dreams
Harita Meenee is an expert in classical studies and has also done graduate studies in counseling. She has written many essays and articles in Greek and English and is a regular contributor of the Anexighito magazine.
In this workshop we are going to learn how dreams are connected to ancient myths and symbols. Techniques for remembering one's dreams will be taught, as well as methods of interpretation which can help us improve our lives and relationships.
Harita will also facilitate a talk with slide show about Women Warriors and Athletes in Ancient Greece, one in Greek and one in English language.
Yvonne Kroonenberg; Foreign Language Writing Workshops
Dutch writer and columnist Yvonne Kroonenberg gives you all the insights into writing through her 2 day workshop.
Why is something you write funny ... or not? How can you transfer an emotion onto paper? This workshop is in Dutch language and will teach you more about using correct grammar and spelling.
More information about Yvonne Kroonenberg and her Dutch Writing Workshop during the Eressos Women's Festival 2006 will be published soon.
Gerbien Fricke; Art Workshops
Art workshop with live model / portrait. If you want to play with line patterns and colours, you are very welcome to this workshop.
The workshops will be given by Gerbien Fricke, who also has an exhibition of her work in the Internetshop
Carol Prior; Singing Workshop
Stretch your vocal cords, have fun and make beautiful music together. Come and release your voice and sing some heavenly harmonies, Gospel, African and reggae. Open to all, no previous experience necessary.
Carol Prior has worked in the performing arts all her life. As an actress she worked widely in the industry: in fringe theatre, repertory, alternative comedy and television, culminating in her own autobiographical show on Channel 4 (UK) in 1986.
During the festival you will be able to see the many faces of Carol Prior, stand up comedianne and singer. She is a diva who loves dressing up and there are several performances scheduled in the Sappho Garden of the Arts. Her acts are full of surprises and passion.
Therapies / Treats
Susanna Schwing; Lomi Lomi Nui Massage and Hawaiian Bird Dancing
Susanna Schwing specialises in shamanistic healing and Hawaiian massage. She also teaches Hula dance at a site overlooking the harbour in the morning sun. During the festival Susanna will provide you with insights into HUNA, Hawaiian Shamanistic Balancing techniques.
She organises workshops and massage sessions which should not be missed!
Whether you wish to participate in the "Flight of the Navigator" (Bird Dance), The "Creation Dance" or treat yourself to a "Lomi Lomi Nui Massage", all of Susanna's sessions are about balancing and having fun!
Sofia Dimoulea; Reiki, Ayurvedic Breast Massage & Rebalancing
Sofia Dimoulea is qualified and trained at Osho Meditation Center in Greece in Reiki, Massage (Rebalancing, Ayurvedic Breast Massage, Holistic) and Breathing.
She also practices amongst other things Meditation, Tai Chi and Mind Control.
Chaya Volpi; Mandala Meditation & Reiki Massage
Chaya Volpi is a Reiki practitioner who integrates healing sounds and precious stones into her treatments. She also makes beautiful, finely hand painted ceramic mandalas, that are inspired by Tibetan and Peruvian traditions but go way beyond them.
A magical combination of reiki, aurosoma, healings sounds and precious stones will bring relaxation and expansion into your life
Helga Fuxa; Shaitsu Seminar
In a white room draped with Tibetan wall carpets you have professional Shiatsu treatments from Helga Fuxa, who has been practising in Skala for twelve years. Helga also offers five day seminars, at basic and advanced levels, with teaching partner Victoria Pock.
The Shiatsu Seminar includes exercises ( meridian-stretching, 8 treasures, do-in ), which will help to strengthen your constitution and intuition.
The participants will learn to give a basic shiatsu treatment and realize that everybody has the ability to practice shiatsu.
Sports
Beach Volleyball Tournament; The Moon Kantina Cup
For those of you who fancy a bit of fun AND healthy competition, why not join our five-a-side women only ball tournament.
You can organise your own team, or volunteer for the Mylos Bar, Tenth Muse Bar, Aqua Bar, Sappho Garden, Sappho Travel and Moon Kantina Teams.
Team lists will be available from 10th of September onwards and the whole thing is great fun and very simple.
5x5 Soccer Tournament
The Tenth Muse Bar traditionally hosts the open competition for all footballing women. The competition itself takes place at the 5x5 football pitch, which can be found just outside Skala Eressos.
The winning team receives an alcoholic trophy, usually tequila, after the match is decided.
Eressos Pool Competitions;
Three women's bars in Skala Eressos will host the Eressos Pool Competitions; Mylos Bar, The Tenth Muse Bar and Aqua Bar.
The competitions are held every day at each bar, and winners announced every 3 days.
To round up 3 days of pool (15-rounds total) means that you play five rounds at each bar !
Watersports: Banana Boat / Tube
Enjoy yourself on the water with friends, the speedboat with banana or tube will take you for a spin around the rock! Special rates for all women!
Watersports: Swim to the rock
Meeting point during this year's festival will be the Milos bar and as always the swim will be supported by experienced swimmers in the water and in boats and is ideal for women who are strong swimmers and who would like to do this magical swim but are afraid to do so alone.
Walking; Local Walks with Patricia
It is well worth it to hire a car to take a trip around the island of Lesvos, but if you wish to explore locally, Patricia's Walking in Eressos tours are full of botany, archaeology, history and mythology, plus recipes and local gossip, and are both entertaining and popular.
Theatre
Sapphic Symposium
Theatrical performance based on Sappho's poetry. The audience watches and participates in the symposium while laying on cushions eating grapes and drinking wine as in old times. There will be an open fire and the event takes place at Mama's Wild Side Kantina.
Special Activities
Opening Lesbian Hotspots
Grand Opening of The Web's Largest International Directory for LESBIAN HOTSPOTS will take place on 17th of September 2006 in Skala Eressos.
We're very happy to announce that for this Grand Opening DJ PROMISS from Holland will be your DJ for the evening ... A sure promiss for an excellent party!
There is more however ... how about winning a holiday to Spain? Especially for this event a prize-draw will be held and ... the winner will visit Sitges for the WOW-SITGES festival in May 2007 ! In the main office of Sappho Travel you will find a tombola and slips on which you can write your e-mail address. Throw your address in the tombola and on the 17th you will find out if you are the winner of this fantastic holiday!
More Information about Lesbian Hotspots
Auction / Fundraiser ereSOS for Animals
Skala Eressos is home to the Animal Sanctuary near Eressos village Run by Ann and Jean.
EreSOS for Animals is a charity that relies solely on donations. You can play with the puppies, who all need rehoming, and find out about how they rescue and care for animals all year round.
Some of the proceeds of activities where entrance fee is applied will be donated to ereSOS for Animals. A special fundraiser / auction will be organized during the festival at the Antiopi Hotel.
More Information about the Auction / Fundraiser
Parties
Throughout the festival there will be parties organised in the many women bars of Skala Eressos. This year there will be a party notice board outside the Sappho Travel office where each party will be announced.
Have fun discovering Skala Eressos, support the women's businesses and enjoy the festivities!
