Since the year 2000 Sappho Travel has created, organized and funded the International Women’s Festival®, a two week celebration of women oriented activities and events, and takes place every September in the birthplace of poet Sappho, Skala Eressos on the island of Lesvos in Greece.
The International Women’s Festival program is designed to suit the diverse interest of women and always includes a range of live musical and theatrical performances, creative workshops, arts exhibitions, water and land sports, seminars, a range of healing therapies, meditation practices, local walks and several women’s parties.
The International Women’s Festival offers women a meeting place to share, exchange and benefit from the many talents, experiences and skills which a large international and local community of creative women bring into the festival, whilst at the same time simply enjoying their holiday in the village of Skala Eressos. The International Women’s Festival® contributes to the special energy that women find here and the sense of home that women feel here.
The village of Skala Eressos has a unique and valuable status within Greece, and on a larger scale in Europe, as being a safe holiday resort and in particular one where women-oriented events take place. Organizing the International Women’s Festival is of considerable importance as well for the village, in that by organizing it, the tourist season in the village is extended for an extra month every year. This directly benefits all of us who rely on tourism as a source of income.
Statistics show us that in 2006 approximately 350 women came to Skala Eressos, specifically to visit and participate in the festival. The statistics of 2007 have shown us that this number increased with more than 50%, what in simple terms means that the amount of women visiting our village doubled in just one year! 2008 marked an all time high for the village with around 800 to 900 visitors. In 2009 the numbers declined somewhat, back to 600, mainly due to economic troubles in the world.
The women, who specifically arrange their holiday around the festival dates, come from Greece, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Russia, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Latvia, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand.
Early indications are, that the number of women expected to visit Eressos for the celebration of 10 years festival ,in 2010 will most likely exceed 1000 visitors. We even think it's possible that more will still contact us in the next couple of months which we still have in front of us!
10th Anniversary International Women’s Festival on the island of Lesvos
From the 4th to 18th of September 2010 the village of Skala Eressos on Lesvos Island in Greece will host the 10th anniversary of the International Women’s Festival.FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Sappho Travel Press Release) - March 9, 2010 - We invite you to come to Sappho’s birthplace and join us in our two week anniversary celebrations. We will build on the success and experience of previous festivals to offer a varied and balanced program reflecting the diverse interests of all women.
This community driven festival, in the birthplace of poet Sappho, has been envisioned, created and funded since the year 2000 by our local travel agency, Sappho Travel, and we are still today an ongoing contributor to the promotion and development of activities by and for women, through presentation, practice and promotion of local and international exponents of education, literature, music, dance, film and art.
The annual two week festival provides the opportunity for local and international musicians, artists, performers, entertainers, scholars and therapists to share in the practice, performance and appreciation of women’s talents in all its forms with enthusiasts of all ages.
The activities of the festival celebrate the diversity, literacy, philosophy and social justice from female participants and visitors from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. It empowers women, their status, organizations and position in society in general through education, cultural expression and by means of their creativity.
In 10 years time, the festival has become of considerable importance to the economy of Skala Eressos, in that by organizing it, the tourist season in the village is extended for an extra month every year. This directly benefits all local businesses which rely on tourism as a source of income.
This festival is a celebration of YOU, and however you enjoy spending your time there will be something here for you. Events will include concerts, DJ sets, women only trips and boat cruises, theatrical performances, Greek dinner and dance events, open mike sessions, sports and competitions, art workshops and exhibitions, meditation and spirituality demonstrations and workshops as well as pampering and healing, alternative and traditional therapies.
Plenty of time is reserved for your typical holiday activities as well, such as sunbathing on the 3km unspoilt beach, swimming in the warm and turquoise Aegean Sea, exploring the beautiful countryside and discovering a wealth of fresh food in the many restaurants.
You can find booking and other information, including pictures and details of previous festivals, as well as this year’s program at www.womensfestival.eu.
We are still looking for artists, performers and participants, including volunteers so if you are interested in playing a part in this year’s anniversary festival please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your ideas or offerings. We look forward to hearing from you, and to seeing you in September.
Come and celebrate this anniversary with us and treat yourself to a truly unforgettable holiday!
Festival organizers
Wendy Jansen & Ioanna Savva
International Women’s Festival
About Sappho Travel:
Sappho Travel offers travel services (flight/ferry tickets, accommodation, car hire, excursions) to all locations in Greece including the beautiful Island of Lesvos.
With our base in Skala Eressos, we are specialists in arranging holidays for women.
Company Contact Information
Sappho Travel
Wendy Jansen
Skala Eressos
81105
Phone : +30 22530 52140
International Women’s Festival
4th to 18th September 2010
SKALA ERESSOS - LESVOS
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
In September, Sappho Travel, the organizer of the International Women’s Festival is expecting between 1000 and 1500 women to visit the village of Skala Eressos - Lesvos. In order for all activities such as the opening evening, our live performances, art exhibition and sports program to run smoothly with such a large amount of visitors, we are seeking for volunteers to help us out.
We are looking for enthusiastic women who are flexible, helpful, and just as excited as us about making the festival a rich experience for everyone.
There are 3 different areas of the festival where we this summer ask for your help:
Festival Friends - Volunteers for small and bigger tasks
- To assist in setting up the Festival Opening Night on the 4th of September
- To promote events; giving out flyers on the beach on the days of concerts & events
- To run the ticketing booths at concerts
- To be available to answer questions and give information from within our festival office
- To support the artists and performers who will be coming to the festival
Art Exhibition Volunteers
- To assist the Art Exhibition Coordinator in setting up the Art Exhibition space on Friday 3th and Saturday 4th of September
- To be available for help with the opening of the exhibition on Sunday 5th of September.
- To look after the exhibition a few set hours during the festival.
Sports Program Volunteers
- To assist the sport program coordinator running events on the beach and in the water.
What will I receive if I volunteer my energy to the festival?
- An exciting inside experience as a valued and integrated part of the festival team
- Official Festival Volunteer T Shirt to make you recognizable around Skala Eressos
- Discounts in all shops restaurants and bars displaying a “We support the festival” poster
- Souvlaki vouchers for those days on which you work
- Free entry to the opening night celebration and discounted tickets to other festival events as agreed.
To find out more about being a volunteer please talk to Wendy in the office or send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
In organizing the 10th anniversary of the festival we are focused in hosting specific events and are looking for the following participants:
Performers/Entertainers
A female vocalist or band
A dance performance that will be accessible to a multi lingual multinational audience of women
A visual theatrical performance that will be accessible to a multilingual multinational audience of women
We are particularly interested in performances, seminars, workshops, exhibitions and other events that reflect Greek culture.
Artists
Painters, sculptors, installation artists and others. Please note that artists who have previously exhibited in the festival are welcome to apply to exhibit again this year, if they have new work to show.
Workshop & Seminar providers
Women in science
Sappho & what she means to us
Sexuality/gender/identity
Art
Film making
Photography
Greek dancing
Greek language lessons
Participant Applications
The Festival maintains a file of groups and individuals interested in participating in the International Women's Festival 2010. If you are interested in being considered, please send a press kit including information about the performer or group, a photograph, and a demo CD to:
Sappho Travel is a privately owned, forward thinking Greek Travel Agency offering a wide range of leisure, business, special interest and educational travel services, working closely in partnership with its clients around the world.
Our philosophy for the past 10 years is to build long term relationships – with clients and hoteliers. We believe in win-win situations where everybody gains. We are very proud to maintain personal contact with all of our clients and our personal customer service will always remain to be one of our highest priorities.
Using our personal approach, we deal with all your bookings and enquiries which come to us through our website(s) whilst at the same time making sure that your correspondence is closely monitored and all personal details and booking information is stored away from the public. This way you can be assured that your details are kept safe and secure at all times.
We currently have two offices on the island of Lesvos in Greece, both located in the village of Skala Eressos.
Sappho Travel Office AddressSAPPHO TRAVEL
Skala Eressos . Lesvos
811 05 . Greece
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Fax: 0030 22530 52002
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Ferries & Domestic FlightsTel: 0030 22530 52130
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Accommodation DepartmentFor Lesvos Island & Skala Eressos Tel: 0030 22530 53327
Fax: 0030 22530 52002
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For ALL other parts of Greece Tel: 0030 22530 52202
Fax: 0030 22530 52002
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