A very warm welcome to all visitors to Skala Eressos!

The kick-off of the 19th anniversary of the International Eressos Women’s Festival is imminent and to help us get you in the mood already, each of the below bars will be hosting their own pre-parties tonight! (click pics/links for details)

We invite you to take a stroll through our lovely town and meet up with existing friends, or make loads of new ones whilst you’re at it!

Wherever you end up going tonight, we’d like to wish each one of you a great evening!

~ Joanna, Liz & Wendy

Budda Bar

Flamingo Beach Bar

Opening Night Extraveganza

What A Treat We Have For You This Year!

Compere For The Night:

Nicky Mitchell

The inimitable Nicky Mitchell is returning to Skala Eressos in 2019!

Nicky Mitchell can best be described as International Jazz chanteuse, Blues shouter, Guitarist, Pianist, Funny Lady and Entertainer. Nicky performs all over Europe as well as in the UK. She has worked alongside top name acts such as Dana Gillespie, Taka Boom, Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges, Lea De Laria, Jo Brand and Jenny Éclair.

She has performed to all kinds of audiences, in and on all sorts of stages and arenas, from carnival floats to two thousand seater theatres.

‘Warm, funny and immensely talented’ The Guardian

Drag Kings of Eressos:

Dick Stubble & Miss Clee-Varge

Jennifer & Sophie of Diva Destinations in Brighton offer you a brand new taster of their popular Drag Kings of Eressos Show, which will take place on the 11th of September.

WANT TO ENTER?

Email Jennifer for an entry form & more information: info@divadestinations.co.uk

Drag Kings Of Eressos Show: Wednesday 11th September @ 21.00

Drag Kings of Eressos (11/09/2019)

Performing Live:

Rainbow Girls (California – USA)

Get ready to have a gang of sweet angels, punch you in the heart!

Erin Chapin, Caitlin Gowdey, and Vanessa May -the dynamic trio known as Rainbow Girls- have emerged as a much-loved live act both abroad and on their California home turf.

Their performance centers the music put forth on their recently released album highlighting their rich harmonies, ageless songwriting, and soulful, bluesy sound in its rawest form.

Full Concert Dates: Monday 9th September @ 21.00

Rainbow Girls Live in Concert (09/09/2019)

The Pussy’s (Netherlands)

We know how to throw a party with big lesbian hits…top quality music with a wink.

DebbiePussy is our lead singer. Her honeydripping voice makes your knees go weak.

MickPussy‘s deep sound and female touch on the bass will stir up your emotions.

Our IsaPussy’s drum skills will shake your foundations.

Assypussy (also a band member of the McChicks) knows how to pull at your heartstrings with her funky guitar sound and great vocal skills.

Full Concert Dates: Tuesday 10th September @ 21.00

The Pussy’s Live in Concert (10/09/2019)

Eva Iglesias (United Kingdom)

After Eva’s phenomenal performance at last year’s festival, we are delighted to announce that Eva Iglesias will return to Skala Eressos in 2019!

Artists covered:
Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, DreamGirls, Beyonce, Adele as well as an extensive selection of hits from the 80’s, 90’s and today.

Full Concert Dates: Thursday 12th September @ 21.00

Eva Iglesias Live in Concert (12/09/2019)

International DJs:

DJ RITU

Award-winning London disc-jockey & trailblazing broadcaster, DJ Ritu, is the voice behind the UK’s definitive global music show, A World in London. Her 33 year career includes two decades at the BBC, co-founding cult label Outcaste Records, and touring in over 35 countries as a band-leader and solo artist.

A musical chameleon, Ritu’s eclectic repertoire encompasses Pop, soul, disco, as well as ‘world’ genres, making her a firm favourite at prime venues & festivals like WOMAD, Roskilde, Sfinks, Tate Britain, Spiritland, and The Royal Festival Hall. A Rough Guides CD compiler, Ritu also manages two leading London club nights, is the SOAS Concert Series Producer, a member of the Mayor’s London Music Board, and the European World Music Charts panel.

DJ STEFI CHROMA

If you’d try to find a single genre that classifies CHROMA’s sound, you’d definitely end up failing. Although this DJ/producer’s heart is beating for minimal, she can also easily drop in a 80/90s pop song into her sets, and it’s these kinds of exotic, unexpected sounds that merge with bouncy techno and deep house (and all permutations in between) that create an eclectic, yet unified, style.

CHROMA’s heart has followed an electronic pulse for quite some time now, having discovered her passion for this kind of music in the mid 90s. She finally dared to step behind the decks herself in 2001, DJing and developing the local scene by organizing parties at OXYT MUSIKCLUB in Lutherstadt, Wittenberg. It was only a matter of time, then, that CHROMA would move to the world capitol of techno: Berlin. With her technical prowess behind the turntables, her well-chosen track selection and her ability to entertain the crowd on a personal level, CHROMA quickly established a name for herself amongst the city’s DJ community.

BUILD A BOOK. HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR NOVEL.
SUNDAY 8th September 10.30am-12 &
SUNDAY 15th September 10.30am-12.

Both workshops will take place on the open-air balcony (shaded) of the Town Hall which offers stunning and hopefully inspiring views of Sappho’s Rock. This will be a gentle, relaxed and fun event.
FREE for all wristband holders.

In this workshop we shall look at the elements involved in writing both Romance and Mystery-the basic building blocks of plot and character arcs.
Bring your own ideas!
Hosted by Gill McKnight and Nicki Glynn.

Gill is Irish but spends as much time as possible in Lesbos, which she considers home. She can often be found traveling back and forth between Greece and Ireland in a rusty old camper van with her rusty wee dog. Gill enjoys writing, gardening, and, by necessity, simple DIY.

Nicki has taught English Literature, Language and Creative Writing for 30 years. She now lives mostly in Greece with her partner and a collection of dogs, cats, horses and goats. When not running around after animals and trying to tame vigorous vines Nicki is working on her Young Adults’ mystery novel.

On Sunday 8th and Sunday 15th of September you can join the popular Beach Volleyball Tournament at the Turtle Cantina.

Sign up with your team, or join an existing team.

DATE: 8th September & 15th September
PLACE: TURTLE CANTINA (on the beach)
TIME: 4pm to 8pm

This event is organised by Travel Women (Netherlands)

Travelling alone? First time in Skala Eressos? First time to the festival? On holiday with a couple and can’t wait to get away from them?

Come and join the ‘Roadtrippers’ for this informal, friendly and welcoming group.

Meet other solo travellers from across the globe.

ALL women are welcome and will be made to feel welcome.

Come join us!

Week One.
DATE: Sunday 8th September
TIME: 6-8pm
VENUE: Budda Bar

Week Two.
DATE: Sunday 15th September
TIME: 6-8pm
VENUE: Flamingo Beach Bar

We warmly invite you to come and join us for this wonderful event. Drinks, nibbles and some amazing, original art. Come and meet the artists and fellow art lovers.

This event is free and open to ALL.

After the opening, the exhibition will be open every evening from 7pm-10.30pm up to and including Friday 20th September

ART EXHIBITION GRAND OPENING NIGHT!
DATE: SUNDAY 8th SEPTEMBER
TIME: 7pm
VENUE: Town Hall

This is a class for every one. We will focus on breathing and some easy “Asanas” that help you to open the hips and stretch the spine. Bring a mat if you have and some loose, comfortable clothes. There will be some mats that you can borrow but please bring your own if you have.

This will take place on the shaded balcony of the Town Hall in Skala Eressos. FREE for wristband holders.

The times are the same for every session: 9.30am-10.20am. This allows time for women to also attend the Skala Women’s Rock Group which commences at 10.30am…what a wonderful way to start your day! Come and join us.

Simple techniques will be exchanged in a relaxed atmosphere with music and snacks provided, easy to join in for everyone.
DATES: Monday 9th Sept.
Wednesday 11th Sept
Wednesday 18th Sept
TIMES: 1pm-4pm
VENUE: The Chi Spot (meet at 12.50pm at Belle Ville, it is a 2 minute walk from there, you will be shown where the Chi Spot is!)
Please wear comfortable clothing.
Min 4 people. Max 8 people.
COST: 20 euros for wristband holders
25 euros for non-wristband holders
(Please note, payment to be made directly to Sun Gian, NOT the festival office…thank you)

Karen is an Accredited Relationship Success Coach / Relationship and Well-being Expert in the mind, body an energy / Speaker
LoveCoachingYou.com

MONDAY 9TH SEPT and FRIDAY 13TH SEPT @ 4.30pm-6pm. Town Hall.

THE 4 STEPS TO ACCELERATE YOUR EMOTIONAL HAPPINESS AND RELATIONSHIP SUCCESS.

FREE for wristband holders

Empower your emotional happiness and future relationship success!

Join Dick Stubble & Miss Clee-varge at the festival’s first-ever Drag King workshop. A great opportunity to find out what it’s like to perform on stage and to unleash your inner drag king!

They will take you through the art of perfecting that all important beard & packing and how to command that stage.

Whether you want to swagger like Jagger or be a smooth operator they’ll help you uncover your true alter ego?

Then you’ll be ready to take to the stage in the Drag Kings of Erresos competition on Wednesday night (11th September) at the open air cinema.

Go on we know you want to!

MONDAY 9th SEPTEMBER 4.30pm-5.30pm OPEN-AIR CINEMA

Sign-up & information: info@divadestinationsholidays.co.uk

This was so incredibly popular last year that we’re doing it again! Yoga with the incredibly skilled and gifted Natacha.

Natacha’s yoga technique works directly to open the meridians and articulations which are Energy Gates who store past emotions and blocks. Healing and re-balancing are taking place in a deep and gentle way. Very good also for massage therapists who can use these techniques as tools to offer to their patients, and to yogis who wish to increase their flexibility.

Please bring your own yoga mats if you have and of course…water.

Cost: 5 euros for wristband holders. 10 euros non-wristband holders. (Payable directly to Natacha, not the festival organisers…thank you)
Venue: Town Hall Balcony (shaded)
Times: 6pm-7.30pm every session.

Back by popular demand! This event is an absolute favourite of the festival. Monday 9th and Monday 16th September 2018 6.30pm until 8pm.

Wine, Women & Words

Have you got a tale to tell? A poem to perform? A song to sing? Words of women who inspire and uplift you? That touch your soul or make you laugh?

Come along and share an early evening  feast  of words in the peaceful intimate setting of Gabi and Ioannis garden restaurant. Stay on for delicious dining, and maybe, more words.

All languages welcome, just a love of words needed. Come and share yours and enjoy listening to others. This lovely evening will be facilitated by Karolina Denning.

Facilitator: Karolina Denning

Karolina Denning has lived in Eressos for 16 years. She is a lazy reader (Audible fan) and and even lazier writer. It has been her pleasure across the years, to share her love of words, in whatever form, at writing groups, forums and performances here in Eressos. She is the proud grandmother of two and lives with her numerous cats.

If you require any further details or information please contact

Karolina via Email: lesvoslady@gmail.com

If you are wishing to eat in good time for later events, you can reserve your table and order a selection of food for priority service when the restaurant is open.

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A POPULAR EVENT. TABLES CAN ONLY BE RESERVED IF YOU WISH TO EAT, SO PLEASE COME PROMPTLY IF YOU WANT A SEAT. RESERVE YOUR TABLE BY POPPING IN TO THE VENUE.

We warmly invite you to come and join our wonderful art exhibition in the Skala Eressos Town Hall (entrance is behind Antonis Restaurant/Flamingo Beach Bar).

You’ll be treated to some amazing & original art, and have a chance to meet the artists and fellow art lovers.

This event is free and open to ALL.

The Art Exhibition will be open every evening from 7pm-10.30pm up to and including Friday 20th September

GRAND AUCTION IN SUPPORT OF ERESOS FOR ANIMALS

Eresos for Animals is a local animal charity founded in 2005. It has a dog sanctuary based in Eressos and supports neutering programs for dogs and cats and local cat feeding in the winter.

The charity relies solely on donations from the public for funding. 

Our annual Grand Auction is a fun fundraising event, which includes prizes and items donated by local people, businesses and other supporters. 

Please come and join us for a thoroughly entertaining evening whilst contributing to a very worthwhile cause.

Monday 9th September 19.00 at Belle Ville Cafe / Bar

Their performance centers the music put forth on their recently released album highlighting their rich harmonies, ageless songwriting, and soulful, bluesy sound in its rawest form.

They have spread their musical wings across the U.S.A and Europe and now, for the first time, will be performing live at the International Women's Festival.

Absolutely not to be missed! FREE entrance for wristband holders. Wristbands are available in our online shop.

Many thanks indeed to Maria Gavriel from Aumkara Apartments and Studios (Skala Eressos) for support with sponsorship for this event.

Come and join the Roadtrippers for this solo’s walk to the beautiful chapel that sits at the top of Sappho’s iconic rock, the view is simply breathtaking.

Bring your breakfast, plenty of water and a camera! The walk will take approximately one hour…there, slightly less coming back down.

What a way to start your day!

Week Two.
DATE: Tuesday 17th Sept
VENUE: Depart from Flamingo Bar
TIME: Meet and depart at 5.30am.

Mindfulness and Meditation to help you relax and unwind with Karen Marshall.

Monday 10th September @ 8.30am-9.15am Budda Bar.

FREE for wristband holders. Please bring a towel to sit on.

Morning Workout! Stretching and muscle enforcement for the rest of the day.

Every morning, Tuesday to Friday week one (10th – 13th) Mon-Friday week 2. (16th-20th) weeks. 9am-9.45am . Meet on the beach in front of Budda Bar.

Esther is a professional sports instructor and worked during 90’s in the first women’s fitness center in Berlin “Außer Atem”. For 20 years she has been teaching. Her exercises against back pain are very effective and will help you definitely to get over any muscle tensions you brought with you to Eressos.

This is a class for every one. We will focus on breathing and some easy “Asanas” that help you to open the hips and stretch the spine. Bring a mat if you have and some loose, comfortable clothes. There will be some mats that you can borrow but please bring your own if you have.

This will take place on the shaded balcony of the Town Hall in Skala Eressos. FREE for wristband holders.

The times are the same for every session: 9.30am-10.20am. This allows time for women to also attend the Skala Women’s Rock Group which commences at 10.30am…what a wonderful way to start your day! Come and join us.

“Dog Splash” Fundraising in aid of the Animals in Eressos

Our annual “Dog Splash” is a fun fundraising event. All funds raised will go to our local charities that rely solely on donations from the public, so that animals can be neutered, fed throughout the winter, and if possible re-homed abroad.

Please come and join us for a thoroughly entertaining & alternative ‘swim to the rock’, whilst contributing to a very worthwhile cause.

Registrations for participation in the “Dog Splash” should be done in advance. Please pick up your sponsorship form from the Festival Info Spot at Sappho Travel, or from Budda Bar. 

Skala Women’s Rock Club

The swim to the rock is organised by the Skala Women’s Rock Club, which has been organising a daily women-only swim from Budda Bar since 2010.

During the festival there will be daily swims as well, and you can find the exact schedule here:

What more could you want?! Tuesday 10th Sept 11am-1pm then catch her again on Thursday 12th Sept 2pm-4pm. Both events will be held at the Town Hall. Come along to one or both, fill yer boots!

Participants say:
“I have not laughed so much for years. My cheeks are aching and I have a warm, fuzzy feeling all over!!”
“I keep bumping into other women who were at Lara’s session and we just smile knowingly at each other, like we have the secret to happiness ….”
“I opened up quite profoundly in Lara’s session and allowed myself to be free and intimate with people who I’m sure will now be friends for life.”
“Lara puts everyone at ease and really holds the group in comfort. We felt nurtured, cared for and informed one minute and she had us in stitches the next….brilliant!”

No need to sign up, just come along and have fun.

This dance class is for total beginners and also for women with basic knowledge in African Dancing.

Everybody is invited to join Esther, she is a dancing therapist of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Tanztherapie (DGT) and has studied African Dance since the age of 16 having been taught by Angelina Akpovo.

This professional African teacher is focused on female dancing, including traditional moves and also contemporary African HipHop Music.

Our dancing will start with stretching and some other exercises from sport therapy, then we move to professional instructions on how to move different parts of your body “the African way”.

Esther will teach the moves as separate elements and help every single person to improve her movements if desired. At the same time she will switch on her CD-player to get you tuned.

After this theoretical, but likewise fun part, you are free to dance around like crazy at the end of the workshop, with some actual African beats.

VENUE: The balcony (shaded) of the Town Hall.

FREE for wristband holders available at: www.womensfestival.eu/wristbands-tickets/

Tug of War – in the water!

A playful game of ‘Tug of War’ in the beautiful sea of Skala Eressos!

DATE: 10th September
PLACE: TURTLE CANTINA (on the beach)
TIME: 4pm to 5pm

Come and sign yourself up as a team, or join a team, and flex those muscles!

This event is organised by Travel Women (Netherlands).

And now for something completely different!
Tuesday 10th Sept 18:00hrs Town Hall

PUSSY-CATS AND PUBIC HAIRS: HISTORIC WAYS TO WOO YOUR LESBIAN LOVER.

Join Sapphic scholar Mara Gold for a performative approach to lesbian history. From 140 year old pubic hair to cat parties, via cunning linguists and sharing your mother’s lover, this whirlwind journey through over two thousand years of lesbian culture will make your modern fantasies look tame.

Special attention will be paid to lesbian longing for Lesbos and the special spiritual connection our foremothers had with this island as both a real imagined lesbian utopia.

Based at the University of Oxford, Mara Gold is a Sapphic scholar, performer and heritage professional. Originally from New Zealand, she has too many degrees and has been named both Professional and Professor Lesbian. She has worked primarily in the arts & heritage industry (with some time in organic and women’s erotic retail to boost her lesbian credentials) and is currently employed as researcher on a new LGBTQ+ Project at the Pitt Rivers Museum. Her PhD focuses on late 19th and early 20th century lesbian identity-forming, culture and activism through the lens of Ancient Greece.

Walking in the traces of Sappho, uniting the ancient history with the recent history, ways of living, tradition, lesbian history of Eressos and lots of poetry. Tzeli is the author of ‘A Girl’s Guide to Lesvos’. She appeared alongside Margaret Mountford on BBC4’s ‘ Sappho: Love & Life on Lesvos’. She is indisputably an expert on Sappho. Tzeli was born on the Island of Lesvos.

All walks last approximately 2-3 hours in length. Please wear sturdy footwear and ensure you bring water.

Cost 10euros wristband holders
15euros non-wristband holders to be paid directly to Tzeli (not the Festival Office)

Starting point is Sappho Travel Office.

DATES:
Tuesday 10th Sept at 6:00pm
Thursday 12th Sept at 9:30 am
Sunday 15th Sept at 9:30am
Tuesday 17th Sept at 09:30am
Friday 20th Sept at 09:30am

This was so incredibly popular last year that we’re doing it again! Yoga with the incredibly skilled and gifted Natacha.

Natacha’s yoga technique works directly to open the meridians and articulations which are Energy Gates who store past emotions and blocks. Healing and re-balancing are taking place in a deep and gentle way. Very good also for massage therapists who can use these techniques as tools to offer to their patients, and to yogis who wish to increase their flexibility.

Please bring your own yoga mats if you have and of course…water.

Cost: 5 euros for wristband holders. 10 euros non-wristband holders. (Payable directly to Natacha, not the festival organisers…thank you)
Venue: Town Hall Balcony (shaded)
Times: 6pm-7.30pm every session.

We warmly invite you to come and join our wonderful art exhibition in the Skala Eressos Town Hall (entrance is behind Antonis Restaurant/Flamingo Beach Bar).

You’ll be treated to some amazing & original art, and have a chance to meet the artists and fellow art lovers.

This event is free and open to ALL.

The Art Exhibition will be open every evening from 7pm-10.30pm up to and including Friday 20th September

Yet another 1st for the festival… Come and party with The PUSSY’S (NL) on Tuesday 10th of September ’19 . 21:00hrs at our magnificent Open-Air Cinema.

Dancing under the stars with the Dutch Pussy’s …what’s not to love?! We spoil you.

Here’s what they’ve got to say!

We know how to throw a party with big lesbian hits…top quality music with a wink.

DebbiePussy is our lead singer. Her honeydripping voice makes your knees go weak.

MickPussy‘s deep sound and female touch on the bass will stir up your emotions.

Our IsaPussy’s drum skills will shake your foundations.

Assypussy (also a band member of the McChicks) knows how to pull at your heartstrings with her funky guitar sound and great vocal skills.

Sponsored by Travel Women

Morning Workout! Stretching and muscle enforcement for the rest of the day.

Every morning, Tuesday to Friday week one (10th – 13th) Mon-Friday week 2. (16th-20th) weeks. 9am-9.45am . Meet on the beach in front of Budda Bar.

Esther is a professional sports instructor and worked during 90’s in the first women’s fitness center in Berlin “Außer Atem”. For 20 years she has been teaching. Her exercises against back pain are very effective and will help you definitely to get over any muscle tensions you brought with you to Eressos.

Following on from last year’s hugely successful event, we are pleased to announce a half day trip with a walk on the Northern coastline of Lesvos.

We are offering a trip to a nearby village, Liota, where we park the car and start the circle walk. It will take us through olive groves and along the coastline high above the sea.

We will pass the little village of Gavatas, here you can have a swim. Then we continue up the hill to Liota where we will have a lunch at the tavern, with a stunning view. 

Practical information:
It’s important that you wear comfortable shoes on this walk and bring water.
Car rent and lunch included in the price. (TBA)

Sign-up at the info-spot @ Sappho Travel Office no later than 24 hours before the day you wish to attend. We need to arrange car hire.
For this trip we need to have 7 participants.

Date: Wednesday 11th and Monday 16th Sept.
10.30am returning at 4pm (approximately) both dates.
Meet: Outside Sappho Travel

Come along and get your portrait taken from behind and be part of this international art campaign facilitated by Artist and Photographer Alexa Seewald – Don’t be shy!

The participation on the art project is free. If you want to achieve your professional portrait, taken in the artist mobile photo studio, please contribute with a donation of 10 Euro/Person. Please note this must be paid directly to Alexa, the festival receives no payment from this project. Thank you.

ANDERSRUMportrait is an international art project fighting discrimination, embracing diversity and challenging the concept of norms!

More than 4,000 people from all over the world participated in the project and have had their portraits taken from behind – andersrum (andersrum is German slang for being queer).

Simple techniques will be exchanged in a relaxed atmosphere with music and snacks provided, easy to join in for everyone.
DATES: Monday 9th Sept.
Wednesday 11th Sept
Wednesday 18th Sept
TIMES: 1pm-4pm
VENUE: The Chi Spot (meet at 12.50pm at Belle Ville, it is a 2 minute walk from there, you will be shown where the Chi Spot is!)
Please wear comfortable clothing.
Min 4 people. Max 8 people.
COST: 20 euros for wristband holders
25 euros for non-wristband holders
(Please note, payment to be made directly to Sun Gian, NOT the festival office…thank you)

Join us on the beach as the sun is setting for some basic self defence techniques that any woman can use. It’s simply an introduction to some basic self defence moves and it’s for everybody.

The goal is to learn how to disconnect our selves from standing attacks and be safe. We are going to use the strength of our body in a non-violent way and minimise harm in order to disconnect and take control of the situation.

FREE for all wristband holders.

BASIC SELF DEFENCE CLASS WITH LENA TSAMPOURI!
VENUE: On the beach…meet at the Turtle Cantina
DATES: Wednesday 11th Sept & Wednesday 18th Sept
TIME: 6.45pm-8.30pm

WE ARE SPECTACULARLY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THIS ONE OFF EVENT. CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP FOR ASPIRING WRITERS WITH DIANA SOUHAMI.
FREE for wristband holders. Wristbands available from www.womensfestival.eu
Open to all. Bring your work or ideas for group discussion and advice. Get some basic tips about style, narrative flow, character, dialogue and self-editing. Enjoy a few writing exercises to get you going.
VENUE: Town Hall Balcony
DATE: Wednesday 11th September
TIME: 6.45pm-8.30pm

Diana Souhami has published 14 books and won several major literary prizes.

She has twice won US Lammys for the best gay writing and in 2014 was declared a Rainbow List National Treasure in the Lifetime Achievement category. Two of her books, The Trials of Radclyffe Hall and Coconut Chaos, were broadcast as BBC Radio 4’s `Book of the Week’. Mrs Keppel and Her Daughter was a New York Times `Notable Book of the Year’ and featured on the BBC’s `A Good Read’.Her first book Gluck: Her Biography was recently the basis for a BBC documentary and an exhibition at the Brighton Art Gallery. Among other titles Selkirk’s Island won the Whitbread biography award, Edith Cavell won East Anglia Book of the Year and Murder at Wrotham Hill was shortlisted for a Crime Writers golden dagger award.
She has also written plays for radio and stage.

We warmly invite you to come and join our wonderful art exhibition in the Skala Eressos Town Hall (entrance is behind Antonis Restaurant/Flamingo Beach Bar).

You’ll be treated to some amazing & original art, and have a chance to meet the artists and fellow art lovers.

This event is free and open to ALL.

The Art Exhibition will be open every evening from 7pm-10.30pm up to and including Friday 20th September

Come along and get your portrait taken from behind and be part of this international art campaign facilitated by Artist and Photographer Alexa Seewald – Don’t be shy!

The participation on the art project is free. If you want to achieve your professional portrait, taken in the artist mobile photo studio, please contribute with a donation of 10 Euro/Person. Please note this must be paid directly to Alexa, the festival receives no payment from this project. Thank you.

ANDERSRUMportrait is an international art project fighting discrimination, embracing diversity and challenging the concept of norms!

More than 4,000 people from all over the world participated in the project and have had their portraits taken from behind – andersrum (andersrum is German slang for being queer).

Have you got an inner Drag King ready to be unleashed?

Have you ever wanted to get on stage and strut your stuff?

Do you have a hidden alter ego?

Or do you just love performing?

Well September is your chance to take to the stage and enter the show. We will take entries via email before the Festival but this is a ‘rock and up impress us’ show. You need to be at the Festival and ready to show the judges your act in order to make the stage on the night.

It’s all about entertainment and having a whole lot of fun.

This year we’ve got 2 categories:

NEWCOMERS: Never performed before as a drag king or maybe you’ve done it a few times for a bit of fun or perhaps you want to give it a go while you’re on holiday? Then this is the category for you.

ESTABLISHED ARTIST: Do you perform on the Drag King circuit? Have you performed professionally as a Drag King? Then this is definitely the category for you.

We are going to have a whole lot of fun this year as we hit the stage again on Wednesday 11th September @ 21:00 for the one and only Drag Kings of Eressos 2019.

 READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH JUDGE AND DRAG KING GEORGE FAITHLESS 

 WANT TO ENTER?

Make sure you first book your ticket to the Festival and pack your gear. Prepare your act as you are going to have to audition. Then email Jennifer for an entry form & more information Jennifer info@divadestinations.co.uk

Morning Workout! Stretching and muscle enforcement for the rest of the day.

Every morning, Tuesday to Friday week one (10th – 13th) Mon-Friday week 2. (16th-20th) weeks. 9am-9.45am . Meet on the beach in front of Budda Bar.

Esther is a professional sports instructor and worked during 90’s in the first women’s fitness center in Berlin “Außer Atem”. For 20 years she has been teaching. Her exercises against back pain are very effective and will help you definitely to get over any muscle tensions you brought with you to Eressos.

Walking in the traces of Sappho, uniting the ancient history with the recent history, ways of living, tradition, lesbian history of Eressos and lots of poetry. Tzeli is the author of ‘A Girl’s Guide to Lesvos’. She appeared alongside Margaret Mountford on BBC4’s ‘ Sappho: Love & Life on Lesvos’. She is indisputably an expert on Sappho. Tzeli was born on the Island of Lesvos.

All walks last approximately 2-3 hours in length. Please wear sturdy footwear and ensure you bring water.

Cost 10euros wristband holders
15euros non-wristband holders to be paid directly to Tzeli (not the Festival Office)

Starting point is Sappho Travel Office.

DATES:
Tuesday 10th Sept at 6:00pm
Thursday 12th Sept at 9:30 am
Sunday 15th Sept at 9:30am
Tuesday 17th Sept at 09:30am
Friday 20th Sept at 09:30pm

Nature Experience Workshop

Join the nature pedagogues Katharina and Undine from Germany and surprise yourself with your own senses.

An Hour of Fun in Nature

Surprise yourself with your own senses. In this fun and challenging workshop you will develop your perception and senses by using nature.

We will be walking into the hills behind the harbour so bring walking shoes and a hat.

Our Story

Hosts Undine Knappwost + Katharina Hocke

Time 10am – 11pm

Meet at Zorba the Buddha at 10am

Please sign up at the information desk.

Clowning for Beginners with Hilary Ramsden

This is a fantastic and unique opportunity to enjoy a brand new workshop delivered by a talented facilitator. If you enjoy fun, humour, laughter and creativity, this workshop could be for you!

The workshop will introduce you to the very basics of clowning: how to find your ridiculousness and stupidity, and how to feel comfortable laughing at yourself and having others laugh at you.

We will examine how humour and comedy work and you will find your clown having fun on stage without having to come up with one-liners and stand-up routines. Depending on demand, we may create a short clown parade.

Hilary Ramsden

Hilary Ramsden is a clown, researcher and lecturer in physical and visual theatre, street arts, rebel clown and a Dr. of Walking.

She was a member of internationally acclaimed lesbian-feminist Siren Theatre Company and later co-artistic director of Walk & Squawk in Michigan, USA.

She is a co-founder of the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army (C.I.R.C.A) uses red noses for revolution.

She is currently Senior Lecturer in Drama and Performance at the University of South Wales in Cardiff.

This workshop will be taking place on Thursday 12th September. 11am – 1pm, and on Thursday 19th September. 11am – 1pm (please don’t sign up if you think you there is a chance you might sleep in after a night of partying!)

Sign up in Sappho Travel Office. Max. 16 participants

What more could you want?! Tuesday 10th Sept 11am-1pm then catch her again on Thursday 12th Sept 2pm-4pm. Both events will be held at the Town Hall. Come along to one or both, fill yer boots!

Participants say:
“I have not laughed so much for years. My cheeks are aching and I have a warm, fuzzy feeling all over!!”
“I keep bumping into other women who were at Lara’s session and we just smile knowingly at each other, like we have the secret to happiness ….”
“I opened up quite profoundly in Lara’s session and allowed myself to be free and intimate with people who I’m sure will now be friends for life.”
“Lara puts everyone at ease and really holds the group in comfort. We felt nurtured, cared for and informed one minute and she had us in stitches the next….brilliant!”

No need to sign up, just come along and have fun.

Make an eco-brick out of your non-recyclable plastics and find out more about the products you use and how to help the environment.

A fun and informative workshop with AJ, Cookie and Tracey.

Help build winter cat shelters! We need Eco bricks to build new shelters for the stay cats in Skala Eressos.

DATE Thursday 12th September
TIME: 3-5pm
VENUE: Belle Ville

This dance class is for total beginners and also for women with basic knowledge in African Dancing.

Everybody is invited to join Esther, she is a dancing therapist of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Tanztherapie (DGT) and has studied African Dance since the age of 16 having been taught by Angelina Akpovo.

This professional African teacher is focused on female dancing, including traditional moves and also contemporary African HipHop Music.

Our dancing will start with stretching and some other exercises from sport therapy, then we move to professional instructions on how to move different parts of your body “the African way”.

Esther will teach the moves as separate elements and help every single person to improve her movements if desired. At the same time she will switch on her CD-player to get you tuned.

After this theoretical, but likewise fun part, you are free to dance around like crazy at the end of the workshop, with some actual African beats.

VENUE: The balcony (shaded) of the Town Hall.

FREE for wristband holders available at: www.womensfestival.eu/wristbands-tickets/

Boxercise for Women – Introduction and Technique Class

THURSDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 6PM ON THE BEACH IN FRONT OF BUDDA BAR

Boxercise is a great way of keeping fit and having fun … and yep, releasing some steam if you want or need to. But it is not about hitting people. It is about learning the correct technique and knowing how to use and exercise your whole body. We will be pairing different boxing combinations with cardio exercises such as running, include exercises for abdominal and back strength and then finish the class with a set of stretches.

Boxercise for Women is a class catering for all ages, sizes and fitness levels. So, please don’t think you are too old or unfit to do it. Everyone is welcome!

Please bring water, a towel and a foam/yoga mat (if available) for the strength work / stretches.

Sabine is very passionate about health & wellbeing. She exercises regularly with gym workouts, Pilates, yoga and walking. She also practices meditation and 5Rhythm (conscious dancing). Sabine is particularly passionate about Boxercise as an effective exercise form for women. She is a certified Boxing for Fitness Instructor (Level 1 & Advance Instructor) and has been teaching in her community in Sydney for a number of years.

This was so incredibly popular last year that we’re doing it again! Yoga with the incredibly skilled and gifted Natacha.

Natacha’s yoga technique works directly to open the meridians and articulations which are Energy Gates who store past emotions and blocks. Healing and re-balancing are taking place in a deep and gentle way. Very good also for massage therapists who can use these techniques as tools to offer to their patients, and to yogis who wish to increase their flexibility.

Please bring your own yoga mats if you have and of course…water.

Cost: 5 euros for wristband holders. 10 euros non-wristband holders. (Payable directly to Natacha, not the festival organisers…thank you)
Venue: Town Hall Balcony (shaded)
Times: 6pm-7.30pm every session.

We warmly invite you to come and join our wonderful art exhibition in the Skala Eressos Town Hall (entrance is behind Antonis Restaurant/Flamingo Beach Bar).

You’ll be treated to some amazing & original art, and have a chance to meet the artists and fellow art lovers.

This event is free and open to ALL.

The Art Exhibition will be open every evening from 7pm-10.30pm up to and including Friday 20th September

We are delighted to announce that Eva Iglesias will return to Skala Eressos in 2019!

Eva was born in London to Spanish parents and spent her informative years growing up in North London. She currently lives in Southampton, but travels all over the UK and Europe performing.

Her singing career started some 10 years ago where she gave an impromptu performance at Sparkles Cabaret Bar in Gran Canaria where she brought the house down to a standing ovation. This performance lead to Eva being asked to host and perform on the main stage at Gran Canaria Pride each May, which she has done for the last 8 years.

Upon returning to the UK, Eva embarked upon a solo singing career, entertaining audiences up and down the UK and Spain.

One of her many performing highlights was appearing on UK national television on the live semi finals of Britain’s Got Talent where she payed homage to one of the greatest singers of all time, Aretha Franklin.

Highlights of her career include:

• The Voice, where she sung for the judges and bowled over Tom Jones
• X-Factor where she reached Boot Camp
• Headlining at Gran Canaria, Benidorm, London and Brighton Pride festivals

Artists covered:
Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, DreamGirls, Beyonce, Adele as well as an extensive selection of hits from the 80’s, 90’s and today.

Morning Workout! Stretching and muscle enforcement for the rest of the day.

Every morning, Tuesday to Friday week one (10th – 13th) Mon-Friday week 2. (16th-20th) weeks. 9am-9.45am . Meet on the beach in front of Budda Bar.

Esther is a professional sports instructor and worked during 90’s in the first women’s fitness center in Berlin “Außer Atem”. For 20 years she has been teaching. Her exercises against back pain are very effective and will help you definitely to get over any muscle tensions you brought with you to Eressos.

This is a class for every one. We will focus on breathing and some easy “Asanas” that help you to open the hips and stretch the spine. Bring a mat if you have and some loose, comfortable clothes. There will be some mats that you can borrow but please bring your own if you have.

This will take place on the shaded balcony of the Town Hall in Skala Eressos. FREE for wristband holders.

The times are the same for every session: 9.30am-10.20am. This allows time for women to also attend the Skala Women’s Rock Group which commences at 10.30am…what a wonderful way to start your day! Come and join us.

A big shout out to all the lovely supporters of 'Wine Women and Words', and all women out there who are of ‘a certain age’. That is, pre, during or post menopause. Hot on the heels of the success of the Wine Women and Words events, you are invited to contribute to the first of the Menopause Monologues.

How is it / was it for you? Amusing, moving, enlightening, even uplifting? Or total hell? Poems, anecdotes, and stories of humour, serenity and survival particularly welcome. If you are unable to attend the event, (date, time and venue TBC), we will be happy to present your words on your behalf.

This does not replace the WWW events which will take place as usual. Prose/performance maximum 5 minutes or 1,000 words.

Both WWW and Menopause Monologues are women only events.

For further details and to send contributions, please contact: Karolina at lesvoslady@gmail.com

Karen is an Accredited Relationship Success Coach / Relationship and Well-being Expert in the mind, body an energy / Speaker
LoveCoachingYou.com

MONDAY 9TH SEPT and FRIDAY 13TH SEPT @ 4.30pm-6pm. Town Hall.

THE 4 STEPS TO ACCELERATE YOUR EMOTIONAL HAPPINESS AND RELATIONSHIP SUCCESS.

FREE for wristband holders

Empower your emotional happiness and future relationship success!

This was so incredibly popular last year that we’re doing it again! Yoga with the incredibly skilled and gifted Natacha.

Natacha’s yoga technique works directly to open the meridians and articulations which are Energy Gates who store past emotions and blocks. Healing and re-balancing are taking place in a deep and gentle way. Very good also for massage therapists who can use these techniques as tools to offer to their patients, and to yogis who wish to increase their flexibility.

Please bring your own yoga mats if you have and of course…water.

Cost: 5 euros for wristband holders. 10 euros non-wristband holders. (Payable directly to Natacha, not the festival organisers…thank you)
Venue: Town Hall Balcony (shaded)
Times: 6pm-7.30pm every session.

We warmly invite you to come and join our wonderful art exhibition in the Skala Eressos Town Hall (entrance is behind Antonis Restaurant/Flamingo Beach Bar).

You’ll be treated to some amazing & original art, and have a chance to meet the artists and fellow art lovers.

This event is free and open to ALL.

The Art Exhibition will be open every evening from 7pm-10.30pm up to and including Friday 20th September

The Sexiest Show of the Festival

We do things a bit differently, and that’s the way we like it!

We are delighted to announce the much anticipated return of the ‘Alternative Fashion Show’. Friday 13th September 2019. The show starts @20.00hrs. Join in or join us! Free entry for wristband holders.

Strut Your Stuff

Camp, sexy, tongue-in-cheek and thoroughly entertaining, our alternative fashion show is an inventive celebration of sartorial holiday style for women of all ages, shapes and genders. It is part fashion show, part talent show. This year we have singers, dancers, drag kings and models. 

The venue is Skala’s beautiful open-air cinema, many of the clothes and accessories are donated from supportive local businesses, and the models and talent.… well, the models could be you!

If you want to join the show, watch out for our notices and sign up at the information desk. Be sure to bring your music, costumes and props with you. Have a look through your suitcases, use a sprinkle of imagination, customise a windbreaker… and get ready to strut your stuff down Sappho’s catwalk!

Details

Ticket price at the door: 10 euro

Access free to wristband holders

The fashion show starts at 20.00.

Looking to enjoy your festival with a spiritual, mind, body and energy experience then this is for you.

Taking place on Saturday 14th September from 16.30pm – 6pm at the Town Hall, Karen Marshall will facilitate the following:

‘HOW TO LISTEN MORE LOUDLY TO YOUR BODY AND EMOTIONS’.

This session will focus on – Exercises listening more loudly to what our body is telling us – including meditation, mindfulness exercises.

All you need to bring is yourself and your towel!

Join our popular walk that for some has become a much loved tradition during the festival. The track goes across Kampos, the “fertile valley”, to the village of Eressos where a well-deserved Greek dinner is waiting for us at a local taverna on the beautiful, traditional village square.

MEET AT SAPPHO TRAVEL OFFICE @ 6pm. SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER.

Cost 20 € for wristband holders, 22 € non Wristband holders (This is to cover the cost of dinner with beverage included)

Taxis can be arranged for your return to Skala.

You will need to sign-up for this event at least 24hrs beforehand to enable us to book the table at the taverna. Sign-up is easy, just pop into our ‘info-spot’ in Sappho Travel Office. We hope you can join us for this delightful event.

This was so incredibly popular last year that we’re doing it again! Yoga with the incredibly skilled and gifted Natacha.

Natacha’s yoga technique works directly to open the meridians and articulations which are Energy Gates who store past emotions and blocks. Healing and re-balancing are taking place in a deep and gentle way. Very good also for massage therapists who can use these techniques as tools to offer to their patients, and to yogis who wish to increase their flexibility.

Please bring your own yoga mats if you have and of course…water.

Cost: 5 euros for wristband holders. 10 euros non-wristband holders. (Payable directly to Natacha, not the festival organisers…thank you)
Venue: Town Hall Balcony (shaded)
Times: 6pm-7.30pm every session.

We warmly invite you to come and join our wonderful art exhibition in the Skala Eressos Town Hall (entrance is behind Antonis Restaurant/Flamingo Beach Bar).

You’ll be treated to some amazing & original art, and have a chance to meet the artists and fellow art lovers.

This event is free and open to ALL.

The Art Exhibition will be open every evening from 7pm-10.30pm up to and including Friday 20th September

And now for something completely different …

HACK & BACKSHIT GO CAVING (IN THE NETHER REGIONS.)

A PUPPETRY PERFORMANCE WITH A TWIST!

In this quirkily surreal tale, DIY (Dyke-It-Yourself) experts and enthusiasts, Hack & Bashit, are summoned by mysterious female forces from afar. A mystical Greek beetle leads the pair on a journey across Europe to the isle of Lesvos and to a vulvic cave of mythical proportions where DIY tasks await. Hack & Bashit create a half-hour animated world of hope and humour combining puppetry projections, performance and some delightfully live music.

Hilary Ramsden

Hilary is a clown, researcher and lecturer in physical and visual theatre, street arts, rebel clown and a Dr. of Walking. She was a member of internationally acclaimed lesbian-feminist Siren Theatre Company and later co-artistic director of Walk & Squawk for 14 years in Michigan, USA. She was a co-founder of the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army (C.I.R.C.A), wearing red noses for revolution.

She is currently Senior Lecturer in Drama and Performance at the University of South Wales in Cardiff, UK and very happy to once more be a part of this wonderful festival.

Sarah Green

Sarah has a passion for storytelling with puppetry and all things a little bonkers yet deep and meaningful.

She has worked on her own puppet shows and collaborated with other artists and musicians on puppetry performances, making both small scale and larger puppets and sets.

Walking in the traces of Sappho, uniting the ancient history with the recent history, ways of living, tradition, lesbian history of Eressos and lots of poetry. Tzeli is the author of ‘A Girl’s Guide to Lesvos’. She appeared alongside Margaret Mountford on BBC4’s ‘ Sappho: Love & Life on Lesvos’. She is indisputably an expert on Sappho. Tzeli was born on the Island of Lesvos.

All walks last approximately 2-3 hours in length. Please wear sturdy footwear and ensure you bring water.

Cost 10euros wristband holders
15euros non-wristband holders to be paid directly to Tzeli (not the Festival Office)

Starting point is Sappho Travel Office.

DATES:
Tuesday 10th Sept at 6:00pm
Thursday 12th Sept at 9:30 am
Sunday 15th Sept at 9:30am
Tuesday 17th Sept at 09:30am
Friday 20th Sept at 09:30pm

You are invited to attend the Avenue Workshop, taking place on the roof of Flamingo Bar and if you want to continue, you have the opportunity to attend an unique Nagual Seminar in the afternoon from 3pm (we may go for a swim first) until 7.30pm (approx) at a beautiful and peaceful location in nature, just 2 km from Skala, under big trees and on the roofed terrace of a very nice old stone house. (transport will be provided).

During the workshop we will build bridges between different ways amongst women, who are experienced in meditation and spiritual and/or shamanistic work, and we seek to inspire, share visions and unique energetic processes with you: to prepare a pathway of your efforts, and dedication eventually to extend onto a smoother and broader Avenue in relation to a bit of uncertain future at hand.

The spirit of awakening and healing, so clearly needed, travels faster on “ shared and well prepared ground” than on “a long and winding road”.
Let us build with consciousness at heart during this workshop:
the energetic matrix of an Avenue of light, love and wisdom,
with enough space and freedom for different “vehicles”……
all rushing to assist the planet in these times of transition.

NAGUAL SEMINAR.
The Nagual Seminar will continue with sharpening and heightening your awareness to the exploration and hopefully also a bit of manifestation of your soul qualities through the instrumentality of a “re-formed “, updated ceremony based on a beautiful old Celtic ritual (sacred and secret).
As time is speeding, so do we, in introducing and aligning these ancient procedures with the knowledge of today and the needs of the future, apparently it is needed.

Sharing with you adventurously and responsibly, upfront and far back, deep and high, grounded and open, but under a strict code of ethics and with the blessings of love and light:
Life-force energy, earth healing and initiation ritual, a soul vision and awareness seeking process, a unique meditation and the joy of connecting with “bits and pieces” of the spiritual “herstory” in the present, past and future.
For those ” adventurous enough” to explore a bit into the special and unique new/ancient “Mantissa” work processes (Greek for spiritual Seeress, “priestess”) in both “fine-tuned” sensitive and powerful energetic rituals at the Mantissa Estate first and then “taken up to” and completed on Vigla mountain in a special ceremony with breathtaking views to all sides.

It will be an uplifting, very real and life-supportive process, indeed: of life, nature, and women- interconnecting and free again, to practice their own “brand” of supporting the planet and all life, as in ancient and more balanced times of awakening of human kind, yet to come!

If this resonates within you, you are ever so welcome to give it a try.
Greetings, Ahandra.

Ahandra is a “free agent” and a “down to earth” person, an experienced Trance Channel, creative spiritual teacher and seer with a long record of seminars and retreats on the “long and winding road”. behind her. The last years focus was on mentoring Shamanic teachers and advanced groups in GB and Denmark.

BUILD A BOOK. HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR NOVEL.
SUNDAY 8th September 10.30am-12 &
SUNDAY 15th September 10.30am-12.

Both workshops will take place on the open-air balcony (shaded) of the Town Hall which offers stunning and hopefully inspiring views of Sappho’s Rock. This will be a gentle, relaxed and fun event.
FREE for all wristband holders.

In this workshop we shall look at the elements involved in writing both Romance and Mystery-the basic building blocks of plot and character arcs.
Bring your own ideas!
Hosted by Gill McKnight and Nicki Glynn.

Gill is Irish but spends as much time as possible in Lesbos, which she considers home. She can often be found traveling back and forth between Greece and Ireland in a rusty old camper van with her rusty wee dog. Gill enjoys writing, gardening, and, by necessity, simple DIY.

Nicki has taught English Literature, Language and Creative Writing for 30 years. She now lives mostly in Greece with her partner and a collection of dogs, cats, horses and goats. When not running around after animals and trying to tame vigorous vines Nicki is working on her Young Adults’ mystery novel.

On Sunday 8th and Sunday 15th of September you can join the popular Beach Volleyball Tournament at the Turtle Cantina.

Sign up with your team, or join an existing team.

DATE: 8th September & 15th September
PLACE: TURTLE CANTINA (on the beach)
TIME: 4pm to 8pm

This event is organised by Travel Women (Netherlands)

Travelling alone? First time in Skala Eressos? First time to the festival? On holiday with a couple and can’t wait to get away from them?

Come and join the ‘Roadtrippers’ for this informal, friendly and welcoming group.

Meet other solo travellers from across the globe.

ALL women are welcome and will be made to feel welcome.

Come join us!

Week One.
DATE: Sunday 8th September
TIME: 6-8pm
VENUE: Budda Bar

Week Two.
DATE: Sunday 15th September
TIME: 6-8pm
VENUE: Flamingo Beach Bar

Another absolute treat! Taking place on the balcony of the Town Hall, overlooking the Aegean Sea and Sappho’s Rock, this event is free. Come and join us, it’s a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon on Sappho’s Isle.

Diana Souhami, Jill Gardiner and Alison Child will discuss with an audience the joys and challenges of writing historical lesbian biography.

What attracted them to their subjects? How have they used archives and oral histories?

What are the ethics of exposing lives lived in secrecy in other times to the glare of contemporary audiences?

What have they learned from their women subjects?

DIANA SOUHAMI has written acclaimed biographies of Radclyffe Hall, Gertrude Stein, Natalie Clifford Barney and Gluck among others.

JILL GARDINER wrote a definitive study of the Gateways Club and the women for whom this iconic London lesbian haunt was a lifeline.

ALISON CHILD is about to publish a biography of forgotten lesbian variety stars Gwen Farrar and Norah Blaney.

We warmly invite you to come and join our wonderful art exhibition in the Skala Eressos Town Hall (entrance is behind Antonis Restaurant/Flamingo Beach Bar).

You’ll be treated to some amazing & original art, and have a chance to meet the artists and fellow art lovers.

This event is free and open to ALL.

The Art Exhibition will be open every evening from 7pm-10.30pm up to and including Friday 20th September

WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT PERFORMING FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE FESTIVAL IS THE GREEK BAND…Someone Who Isn’t Me (aka S.W.I.M.)

S.W.I.M is a new music project by three women in Athens, Loo, Maria & Gina.

They love analogue sounds and toy synths, chaotic guitars and fake strings, female vocals and off-beat rhythms. They wrote and performed the end titles song Never Find It for Athina Rachel Tsangari’s film, Chevalier (Best Film Award, BFI London Film Festival). Their first 7-inch single Stop & Remember was released by Inner Ear Records.

In 2017, they played their first live gig at the Winter Plissken Festival in Athens, before heading to Austin as a showcase artist at SXSW. Their second 7-inch single “Gomenaki” was released in May 2018, by Amour Records. The music video directed by Alkis Papastathopoulos and produced by Haos Film had more than 100K views in just one month. The song and the video were acclaimed by the press, Greek radio stations and fans as the ultimate indie hit of the summer. It won the 2019 Sound Award for best music video at the Indie Memphis Film Festival.

Their debut album “Dance With You” has been released on February 9 by Amour Records. In May 2019 they released their new music video for “Pinku” directed by Alkistis Terzi. Also they won the best music award at the Mad about Arts by Campari Awards. In August they will perform live at the Berlin based music festival Pop Kultur.

PLEASE NOTE, THIS CONCERT STARTS at 9pm (not 9.30pm) See you there!!

Morning Workout! Stretching and muscle enforcement for the rest of the day.

Every morning, Tuesday to Friday week one (10th – 13th) Mon-Friday week 2. (16th-20th) weeks. 9am-9.45am . Meet on the beach in front of Budda Bar.

Esther is a professional sports instructor and worked during 90’s in the first women’s fitness center in Berlin “Außer Atem”. For 20 years she has been teaching. Her exercises against back pain are very effective and will help you definitely to get over any muscle tensions you brought with you to Eressos.

Following on from last year’s hugely successful event, we are pleased to announce a half day trip with a walk on the Northern coastline of Lesvos.

We are offering a trip to a nearby village, Liota, where we park the car and start the circle walk. It will take us through olive groves and along the coastline high above the sea.

We will pass the little village of Gavatas, here you can have a swim. Then we continue up the hill to Liota where we will have a lunch at the tavern, with a stunning view. 

Practical information:
It’s important that you wear comfortable shoes on this walk and bring water.
Car rent and lunch included in the price. (TBA)

Sign-up at the info-spot @ Sappho Travel Office no later than 24 hours before the day you wish to attend. We need to arrange car hire.
For this trip we need to have 7 participants.

Date: Wednesday 11th and Monday 16th Sept.
10.30am returning at 4pm (approximately) both dates.
Meet: Outside Sappho Travel

Mindfulness and meditation with Karen Marshall Monday 16th September 5.15pm-6pm Town Hall. FREE for wristband holders. Please bring a towel to sit on.

Karen will be available for free 1:1 sessions after this group. You will be able to book directly with her. Karen is an Accredited Relationship Success Coach / Relationship and Well-being Expert in the mind, body an energy

This was so incredibly popular last year that we’re doing it again! Yoga with the incredibly skilled and gifted Natacha.

Natacha’s yoga technique works directly to open the meridians and articulations which are Energy Gates who store past emotions and blocks. Healing and re-balancing are taking place in a deep and gentle way. Very good also for massage therapists who can use these techniques as tools to offer to their patients, and to yogis who wish to increase their flexibility.

Please bring your own yoga mats if you have and of course…water.

Cost: 5 euros for wristband holders. 10 euros non-wristband holders. (Payable directly to Natacha, not the festival organisers…thank you)
Venue: Town Hall Balcony (shaded)
Times: 6pm-7.30pm every session.

Back by popular demand! This event is an absolute favourite of the festival. Monday 9th and Monday 16th September 2018 6.30pm until 8pm.

Wine, Women & Words

Have you got a tale to tell? A poem to perform? A song to sing? Words of women who inspire and uplift you? That touch your soul or make you laugh?

Come along and share an early evening  feast  of words in the peaceful intimate setting of Gabi and Ioannis garden restaurant. Stay on for delicious dining, and maybe, more words.

All languages welcome, just a love of words needed. Come and share yours and enjoy listening to others. This lovely evening will be facilitated by Karolina Denning.

Facilitator: Karolina Denning

Karolina Denning has lived in Eressos for 16 years. She is a lazy reader (Audible fan) and and even lazier writer. It has been her pleasure across the years, to share her love of words, in whatever form, at writing groups, forums and performances here in Eressos. She is the proud grandmother of two and lives with her numerous cats.

If you require any further details or information please contact

Karolina via Email: lesvoslady@gmail.com

If you are wishing to eat in good time for later events, you can reserve your table and order a selection of food for priority service when the restaurant is open.

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A POPULAR EVENT. TABLES CAN ONLY BE RESERVED IF YOU WISH TO EAT, SO PLEASE COME PROMPTLY IF YOU WANT A SEAT. RESERVE YOUR TABLE BY POPPING IN TO THE VENUE.

We warmly invite you to come and join our wonderful art exhibition in the Skala Eressos Town Hall (entrance is behind Antonis Restaurant/Flamingo Beach Bar).

You’ll be treated to some amazing & original art, and have a chance to meet the artists and fellow art lovers.

This event is free and open to ALL.

The Art Exhibition will be open every evening from 7pm-10.30pm up to and including Friday 20th September

We are extraordinarily proud to announce ‘A Night at the Opera’. Performing live on Sunday 16th September 21:00hrs will be English National Opera Soprano Nadine Benjamin.

Nadine is a charismatic and versatile artist who is in increasing demand on both the operatic stage and the concert platform. From London to New York, she has performed across the globe. The evening will be a cornucopia of music, from Arias and American Song to Odes to Sappho. We look forward to a very special and joyful evening under the stars.

Accompanying Nadine will be pianist Oddette Cotton.

‘I am inspired to heal and serve others with my voice as an opera singer and mentor. I believe that my voice is here to bring joy into the world in a frequency that can touch the hearts of humanity and encourage others to discover and celebrate the power of their own true voice’.
Nadine Benjamin

FREE for wristband holders.

Come and join the Roadtrippers for this solo’s walk to the beautiful chapel that sits at the top of Sappho’s iconic rock, the view is simply breathtaking.

Bring your breakfast, plenty of water and a camera! The walk will take approximately one hour…there, slightly less coming back down.

What a way to start your day!

Week Two.
DATE: Tuesday 17th Sept
VENUE: Depart from Flamingo Bar
TIME: Meet and depart at 5.30am.

Morning Workout! Stretching and muscle enforcement for the rest of the day.

Every morning, Tuesday to Friday week one (10th – 13th) Mon-Friday week 2. (16th-20th) weeks. 9am-9.45am . Meet on the beach in front of Budda Bar.

Esther is a professional sports instructor and worked during 90’s in the first women’s fitness center in Berlin “Außer Atem”. For 20 years she has been teaching. Her exercises against back pain are very effective and will help you definitely to get over any muscle tensions you brought with you to Eressos.

This is a class for every one. We will focus on breathing and some easy “Asanas” that help you to open the hips and stretch the spine. Bring a mat if you have and some loose, comfortable clothes. There will be some mats that you can borrow but please bring your own if you have.

This will take place on the shaded balcony of the Town Hall in Skala Eressos. FREE for wristband holders.

The times are the same for every session: 9.30am-10.20am. This allows time for women to also attend the Skala Women’s Rock Group which commences at 10.30am…what a wonderful way to start your day! Come and join us.

Walking in the traces of Sappho, uniting the ancient history with the recent history, ways of living, tradition, lesbian history of Eressos and lots of poetry. Tzeli is the author of ‘A Girl’s Guide to Lesvos’. She appeared alongside Margaret Mountford on BBC4’s ‘ Sappho: Love & Life on Lesvos’. She is indisputably an expert on Sappho. Tzeli was born on the Island of Lesvos.

All walks last approximately 2-3 hours in length. Please wear sturdy footwear and ensure you bring water.

Cost 10euros wristband holders
15euros non-wristband holders to be paid directly to Tzeli (not the Festival Office)

Starting point is Sappho Travel Office.

DATES:
Tuesday 10th Sept at 6:00pm
Thursday 12th Sept at 9:30 am
Sunday 15th Sept at 9:30am
Tuesday 17th Sept at 09:30am
Friday 20th Sept at 09:30pm

“Dog Splash” Fundraising in aid of the Animals in Eressos

Our annual “Dog Splash” is a fun fundraising event. All funds raised will go to our local charities that rely solely on donations from the public, so that animals can be neutered, fed throughout the winter, and if possible re-homed abroad.

Today’s Dog Splash will start from the main square in Skala Eressos with a colourful STRAY PRIDE march towards Budda Bar. This event will be FULL of PRIDE and is intended to raise the profile of the amazing work being done in the community to help the animals.

Please come and join us for a thoroughly entertaining & alternative ‘swim to the rock’, whilst contributing to a very worthwhile cause.

Registrations for participation in the “Dog Splash” should be done in advance. Please pick up your sponsorship form from the Festival Info Spot at Sappho Travel, or from Budda Bar. 

Skala Women’s Rock Club

The swim to the rock is organised by the Skala Women’s Rock Club, which has been organising a daily women-only swim from Budda Bar since 2010.

During the festival there will be daily swims as well, and you can find the exact schedule here:

We are delighted to welcome Sue to the festival for the first time. Here’s what she has to say:

I am a shamanic practitioner and teacher/mentor, facilitating transformation for people with holistic healing sessions; places with feng shui, space clearing and geomancy; and professional training courses in these skills. My courses include sound healing, dance, laughter, songs and a sense of tribe. My deepest prayer is that we wake up, and get on with changing our heart-breaking, beautiful world.

This workshop will take place on Tuesday 17th Sept from 10.30am-12.30md at the Town Hall.

This dance class is for total beginners and also for women with basic knowledge in African Dancing.

Everybody is invited to join Esther, she is a dancing therapist of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Tanztherapie (DGT) and has studied African Dance since the age of 16 having been taught by Angelina Akpovo.

This professional African teacher is focused on female dancing, including traditional moves and also contemporary African HipHop Music.

Our dancing will start with stretching and some other exercises from sport therapy, then we move to professional instructions on how to move different parts of your body “the African way”.

Esther will teach the moves as separate elements and help every single person to improve her movements if desired. At the same time she will switch on her CD-player to get you tuned.

After this theoretical, but likewise fun part, you are free to dance around like crazy at the end of the workshop, with some actual African beats.

VENUE: The balcony (shaded) of the Town Hall.

FREE for wristband holders available at: www.womensfestival.eu/wristbands-tickets/

We have put together an extraordinary, international panel of women who will come together to discuss the portrayal and representation of women in the media. This will be an interactive, inclusive and lively discussion group.

Join us on Tuesday 17th September, 6pm at The Budda Bar for this exquisite opportunity. Grab a drink, watch the sun set behind Sappho’s Rock and enjoy this amazing event.

Your panel is as follows:

CLARE HAND

Clare Hand started writing about queer women’s nightlife in London last year. She has since covered events and organisations across the world

This was so incredibly popular last year that we’re doing it again! Yoga with the incredibly skilled and gifted Natacha.

Natacha’s yoga technique works directly to open the meridians and articulations which are Energy Gates who store past emotions and blocks. Healing and re-balancing are taking place in a deep and gentle way. Very good also for massage therapists who can use these techniques as tools to offer to their patients, and to yogis who wish to increase their flexibility.

Please bring your own yoga mats if you have and of course…water.

Cost: 5 euros for wristband holders. 10 euros non-wristband holders. (Payable directly to Natacha, not the festival organisers…thank you)
Venue: Town Hall Balcony (shaded)
Times: 6pm-7.30pm every session.

We warmly invite you to come and join our wonderful art exhibition in the Skala Eressos Town Hall (entrance is behind Antonis Restaurant/Flamingo Beach Bar).

You’ll be treated to some amazing & original art, and have a chance to meet the artists and fellow art lovers.

This event is free and open to ALL.

The Art Exhibition will be open every evening from 7pm-10.30pm up to and including Friday 20th September

Come & be entertained OR come and entertain! We still have spaces!

Poetry, Performance, Dance, Circus Skills, Singing, Yodeling…..anything goes really! If your act involves props or costumes you may have to bring them with you as these things are not easily available in Skala Eressos. Instruments are slightly easier to access, let us know what you need.

This most entertaining of evenings will be hosted by Ronnie Rialto & Nicky Mitchell.

Ronnie Rialto, Lounge Singer Extraordinaire is delighted to be returning to the main stage at Skala Eresos; Singer & Entertainer, Ronnie is a regular performer at LFest, Duckie’s POSH club and Kenric Cabaret.

Nicky Mitchell is a Jazz Musician, Singer and compere based in the South East of England. She works all over Europe performing a huge repertoire of standards and originals.
She is a hugely versatile performer, with a confident stage presence and a warm kind, Northern English humour.
“Warm, funny and immensely talented” The Guardian
“Wow, that girl really can sing” Lea DeLaria

Morning Workout! Stretching and muscle enforcement for the rest of the day.

Every morning, Tuesday to Friday week one (10th – 13th) Mon-Friday week 2. (16th-20th) weeks. 9am-9.45am . Meet on the beach in front of Budda Bar.

Esther is a professional sports instructor and worked during 90’s in the first women’s fitness center in Berlin “Außer Atem”. For 20 years she has been teaching. Her exercises against back pain are very effective and will help you definitely to get over any muscle tensions you brought with you to Eressos.

This is a class for every one. We will focus on breathing and some easy “Asanas” that help you to open the hips and stretch the spine. Bring a mat if you have and some loose, comfortable clothes. There will be some mats that you can borrow but please bring your own if you have.

This will take place on the shaded balcony of the Town Hall in Skala Eressos. FREE for wristband holders.

The times are the same for every session: 9.30am-10.20am. This allows time for women to also attend the Skala Women’s Rock Group which commences at 10.30am…what a wonderful way to start your day! Come and join us.

Feel the Beat! With Heather Summers

Heather Summers has been creating and playing music all her life and loves sharing it with others.

Founder of UK’s Women In Tune (WIT Festival) and multi instrumentalist, performer and recording artist, she has spent decades lugging instruments and PA systems around the world.

She has found a fun way of sharing music without all the paraphernalia in tow, and will lead a high energy, accessible and fun workshop using body percussion to create physical music together- from samba band and body beat sequences to gumboot dancing and cup rhythms.

We only need our hands, feet and bodies Learn Rhythm, Feel Rhythm, Enjoy Rhythm!

Sign up at our ‘infohotspot’ @ Sapphotravel

Simple techniques will be exchanged in a relaxed atmosphere with music and snacks provided, easy to join in for everyone.
DATES: Monday 9th Sept.
Wednesday 11th Sept
Wednesday 18th Sept
TIMES: 1pm-4pm
VENUE: The Chi Spot (meet at 12.50pm at Belle Ville, it is a 2 minute walk from there, you will be shown where the Chi Spot is!)
Please wear comfortable clothing.
Min 4 people. Max 8 people.
COST: 20 euros for wristband holders
25 euros for non-wristband holders
(Please note, payment to be made directly to Sun Gian, NOT the festival office…thank you)

COME AND JOIN AN INFORMAL TALK WITH AWARD WINNING AUTHOR DIANA SOUHAMI WHO WILL BE DISCUSSING HER LATEST BOOK: ‘MODERNISM WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT LESBIANS’.

This is a free event.
VENUE: Town Hall Balcony
TIME: 6.30pm-8pm
DATE: Wednesday 18th Sept

She has twice won US Lammys for the best gay writing and in 2014 was declared a Rainbow List National Treasure in the Lifetime Achievement category. Two of her books, The Trials of Radclyffe Hall and Coconut Chaos, were broadcast as BBC Radio 4’s `Book of the Week’. Mrs Keppel and Her Daughter was a New York Times `Notable Book of the Year’ and featured on the BBC’s `A Good Read’.Her first book Gluck: Her Biography was recently the basis for a BBC documentary and an exhibition at the Brighton Art Gallery. Among other titles Selkirk’s Island won the Whitbread biography award, Edith Cavell won East Anglia Book of the Year and Murder at Wrotham Hill was shortlisted for a Crime Writers golden dagger award.
She has also written plays for radio and stage.

Diana has been writing books about lesbians since the 1980’s. Modernism Would Not Have Happened Without Lesbians, will be published by Head of Zeus on 2 April 2020. Kindle and hardback can be pre-ordered on Amazon
ISBN-10: 1786694867 ISBN-13: 978-1786694867.

Join us on the beach as the sun is setting for some basic self defence techniques that any woman can use. It’s simply an introduction to some basic self defence moves and it’s for everybody.

The goal is to learn how to disconnect our selves from standing attacks and be safe. We are going to use the strength of our body in a non-violent way and minimise harm in order to disconnect and take control of the situation.

FREE for all wristband holders.

BASIC SELF DEFENCE CLASS WITH LENA TSAMPOURI!
VENUE: On the beach…meet at the Turtle Cantina
DATES: Wednesday 11th Sept & Wednesday 18th Sept
TIME: 6.45pm-8.30pm

We warmly invite you to come and join our wonderful art exhibition in the Skala Eressos Town Hall (entrance is behind Antonis Restaurant/Flamingo Beach Bar).

You’ll be treated to some amazing & original art, and have a chance to meet the artists and fellow art lovers.

This event is free and open to ALL.

The Art Exhibition will be open every evening from 7pm-10.30pm up to and including Friday 20th September

A Film Festival Within A Festival!

We will be screening 3 fantastic independent films by female artists. Screening at the delightful ‘Cine SapphoMagicNights’ open-air cinema this event will take place on Wednesday 18th September. Screening starts at 9pm. Free for wristband holders available @ www.womensfestival.eu/wristbands-tickets/

After the films, we are delighted to announce that Tzeli Hadjidmitriou is able to join us for a relaxed and informal question and answer session regarding her incredible film.

The Love Letter, A film by Jade Winters.

An unopened love letter addressed to Belle Tiocou dated 1945 ends up in the hands of a struggling young couple, Phoebe and Faith.

Though it’s now 2018, and there’s the possibility that Belle is no longer alive, Faith makes it her mission to track Belle’s whereabouts, dead or alive, and in the meantime hopes the adventure will somehow make her and Phoebe re-connect once again.

To Faith’s surprise, Phoebe joins her on her mission to deliver the letter to its originally intended recipient Belle and reunite her with Hannah, the woman she loved decades earlier.

Mr Dimitri & Mrs Dimitroula, A Film by Tzeli Hadjidmitriou

A middle-aged man dances in the middle of the street. Greek songs of the 1970s and memories trace a constant smile up on his face. His only company, a cat. A camera, as an observer, stealing images and his thoughts.

Dimitris is different. More human, but also more lonely that the others. His red dress drew the attention of those who went to Mytilene in order to cover the refugees’ suffering. Many thought that his drama is lighter, more joyful. But Dimitris still lives with his loneliness and now that he is out of the limelight, the night seems darker than ever. We met in 2016. This is his story, as he told it to me.

Tzeli is photographer, a writer, and a filmmaker, but I am also a researcher of authenticity. I grew up on the Greek island of Lesvos, where ever since I was a young girl I was fascinated by the quality of the light there. But I left, and became a world traveller. I am an artist, moving from the one to the other, following my inside need for expression. In my documentaries, I use all my experiences and capacities, aiming to give space and voice to ordinary people, who are not famous or considered extraordinary in any way, but who live their lives in simplicity, outside the daily headlines.

Morning Workout! Stretching and muscle enforcement for the rest of the day.

Every morning, Tuesday to Friday week one (10th – 13th) Mon-Friday week 2. (16th-20th) weeks. 9am-9.45am . Meet on the beach in front of Budda Bar.

Esther is a professional sports instructor and worked during 90’s in the first women’s fitness center in Berlin “Außer Atem”. For 20 years she has been teaching. Her exercises against back pain are very effective and will help you definitely to get over any muscle tensions you brought with you to Eressos.

Clowning for Beginners with Hilary Ramsden

This is a fantastic and unique opportunity to enjoy a brand new workshop delivered by a talented facilitator. If you enjoy fun, humour, laughter and creativity, this workshop could be for you!

The workshop will introduce you to the very basics of clowning: how to find your ridiculousness and stupidity, and how to feel comfortable laughing at yourself and having others laugh at you.

We will examine how humour and comedy work and you will find your clown having fun on stage without having to come up with one-liners and stand-up routines. Depending on demand, we may create a short clown parade.

Hilary Ramsden

Hilary Ramsden is a clown, researcher and lecturer in physical and visual theatre, street arts, rebel clown and a Dr. of Wal