2024
MOLYVOS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Molyvos International Music Festival (MIMF) is a unique project in the North Aegean region, that brings together renowned soloists from all over the world. Filling a gap and having high quality standards, MIMF achieved a strong involvement of the local community, boosting the economy and offering exceptional educational programmes.
The festival has become one of the most important development vehicles of the Greek island of Lesbos, bringing innovation to the region, creating inclusion, and uniting people through the universal language of music. High-level professionals work all year round to secure the high quality of the festival as well as its international media exposure.
THE MAIN FESTIVAL
OPENING ACTS
MUSICAL MOMENTS
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES
A feast of world-class chamber music concerts at a breathtaking location.
Free of charge events that run before the main festival days, take place in various locations of the island, and are aiming to involve the community of the whole island.
Short, extraordinary musical interventions (interludes), free of charge, that take place during the day in various places inside the village, on the beach, in the disco to ensure the entire village is caught up in the festival’s spell of classical music.
They run throughout the year, aiming to unlock the fantasy, the sensibility, the creativity of children and young people, and open new horizons through the magical world of music.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES
MUSIC KEY
MO-TO KEY
Festival’s musicians visit schools and share their personal experiences in the world of music. They explain and interpret works from the classical repertoire live, and pass on their enthusiasm and love for classical music to the children.
In collaboration with the German cultural institution TONALi, MO-TO Key aims to give children the tools to organise a cultural event by themselves, learning basic project management principles.
OVER
5.380
SPECIAL YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERT It brings children directly in contact with the festival’s musicians through innovative workshops and narrated mini-concerts.
STUDENTS HAVE ATTENDED OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES TO THIS DAY
MUSICAL MOMENTS
A Festival in Greece promoting classical music in an all-embracing way Promoting integration, inclusion, and regional development, bringing together local communities and distinguished soloists, and celebrating world-class classical music Bringing revenue to the region and promoting Molyvos as a memorable cultural destination with its continuously growing loyal and returning audience
Promoting Greek composers by annually commissioning a world premiere in accordance with each year’s theme
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE
Educational programmes running throughout the year enriching the children’s knowledge and introducing them to classical music Contributing to audience development by spreading the spell of classical music unexpectedly in everyday locations through the unique Molyvos Musical Moments
World-class musicians performing in unique ensembles in the most unexpected locations
Carefully chosen concert venues revealing archaeological and natural sites showcasing the variety and the depth of Lesbos as a destination
Fostering a unique atmosphere between artists, volunteers, locals and guests with performances ranging from formal concerts to chamber music flash mobs
Raising awareness by musically exploring a current theme each year
Attracting numerous young volunteers (12-18 years old) that adopt the values and the mission of MIMF, building skills for future employment through their assignments
8
9
4.500
35
18
2022
The evening concerts are being broadcasted by IDAGIO, one of the largest and most important streaming platforms in the world
8
9
4.000
35
21
2021
In spite of the continuation of the pandemic, the Festival took place as in the past years
6
9
3.000
40
18
2020
The year of the pandemic, every obstacle creates an opportunity. MIMF adapts its programme and synchronises its musicians from Molyvos in live streaming concerts with 27.000 views up to now. MIMF 2020 broadcasted at national TV and radio. The President of the Hellenic Republic, Mrs. Katerina Sakellaropoulou and the Deputy Minister of Modern Culture, Mr. Nikolas Giatromanolakis honoured us with their presence.
2019
Expansion of the opening acts to the island of Chios
8
2018
Expansion of the educational programmes to the island of Chios
8
2017
Introduction of the opening acts and the second educational programme MO-TO Key
8
2016
Introduction of the educational programme Music Key
4
2015
MIMF is born
3
HISTORY
DAYS
11
11
10 8 8
8 3 opening acts | 5 main concerts
HISTORY AND NUMBERS
2023
6
5
CONCERTS
9
6.900
50
27
9
6.000
50
27
10
5.000
45
20
10
2.500
40
21
8
1.800
30
20
MUSICAL MOMENTS
AUDIENCES
VOLUNTEERS
MUSICIANS
WORLD PREMIERES Commissioned by the Molyvos International Music Festival
2018
2016
ATHINA ADAMOPOULOS Passage
KORNILIOS SELAMSIS
Schöpfung (Creation)
2021
KONSTANTIA GOURZI Songs for Hellas
2019 2020 2022
2018
DIMOS AVDELIODIS
NICKOS HARIZANOS
The carnival of the animals, libretto commissioned by MIMF in the context of “Genesis”. Based on Camille Saint-Saëns’s work of the same title
2019 - Faces of the archaic dipolum, op. 207 2020 - Moments, op. 219 2022 - Ithaca
2022
2023
COSTAS MANTZOROS Ithaca. Work for actor/narrator, string trio and prerecorded material
DIMITRIS PAPADIMITRIOU
Endogenesis – Ontogenesis, The Flight of the Eagle
AWARDS
2016 UNION OF GREEK CRITICS FOR DRAMA AND MUSIC
2017 CLASSICAL: NEXT INNOVATION AWARD WINNER
2018 EUROPEAN YEAR OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
2019 - 2023 EUROPE FOR FESTIVALS FESTIVALS FOR EUROPE
2020 MUSIQUE EST UNE FEMME
2022 BRAVO SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Awarded by the Union of Greek Critics for Drama and Music with the “Prize given to a music cultural organisation active in the periphery region” for the seriousness and truly international character of the organisation, taking place in a symbolic location that is a geographical and cultural bastion of a united Europe.
Classical: NEXT Innovation Award 2017, in Rotterdam. This award aims to give international recognition to the people who are doing the most to push things forward with daring yet intelligent, effective and successful out-of-the-box thinking, planning and action.
Since 2018 MIMF has been included at the events of the European Year of Cultural Heritage.
Awarded the EFFE Label in 2023. The EFFE Label is Europe’s quality stamp for remarkable arts festivals showing their engagement in the field of the arts, community involvement and international openness.
Approved to participate at the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union with the project: “Musique est une femme”.
Awarded for sustainable development, especially for the Festival´s contribution to the local community.
REFERENCES & PRESS “The idea that music and culture bring people together and are a vital part of a greater healing is a concept deep in my heart. You are a beacon of light in dark times, and I wish you all courage and success. With love and admiration.” SIR SIMON RATTLE, JUNE 2016
“THE MAGIC OF MOLYVOS, A VISION FOR EUROPE: How a newly created chamber music festival can change the image of the Greek island of Lesbos known for the refugee crisis... The full of music days at Molyvos allow a vision for Europe to be revealed: young, dynamic, playful but at the same time serious, aware of tradition.” TAGESSPIEGEL SUNDAY EDITION, 21.8.2016
“THE WONDER OF LESBOS: All of Europe has come together at this festival, a symbol of what we can create together.” FRANKFURTER RUNDSCHAU, 10.10.2016
“MUSIC THRIVES IN MOLYVOS: Molyvos International Music Festival has been accumulating experience and is maturing into a festival that can stand on its own as a selfmade product of artistic design and social osmosis, as well as a partner to institutions. What has been achieved so far should not necessarily look to grow (the very nature of this festival comes from its size, to scale with the location), instead it must be shielded, encouraged, helped.” NIKOS VATOPOULOS, ΚATHIMERINI, 25.8.2019
“Claire Jackson heads out to the Aegean Sea, where lapping waves and chirruping cicadas accompany the sound of top-level chamber music. A clarinettist and bassoonist appear on the beach, joined by strings and a horn player, and Adolphe Blanc’s septet fills the air. Some holiday makers look pleasantly confused but most join the quickly forming semi-circle around the musicians. Seeing orchestral instruments playing Wigmore Halllevel chamber music against azure waters is delightfully bizarre. The audience responds warmly and shopkeepers return to their former positions. These musical moments – known as “MMs” – are part of the Molyvos International Music Festival (MIMF).” BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE, 2019
“For the second time this year European channels and media came to Lesbos. This time they wouldn’t cover the despair, suffering, and lamentation of the refugees. They would cover the celebration of a young people’s high quality initiative that promotes international cooperation and understanding through music in the Aegean border of Europe to the East.” NATIONAL HERALD, 15.9.2017
“There are different worlds that come together at the festival, the locals, the islanders, and a loyal audience that grows each year, coming from abroad, even from America and Australia, looking for musical quality. People come who go to Salzburg and then to Molyvos, and this is the deep desire of the organisers – who saw that once again this year, for the third year running, they were recommended by the Lufthansa magazine as a music destination – that Molyvos be filled with music lovers. They strongly defend their idea, which concerns not only Molyvos and the Aegean, but also all of Greece, as an example of cultural diplomacy and their hard work is bearing more and more fruit.” ARGYRO BOZONI, LIFO, 24.8.2022
TESTIMONIALS “Three factors make Molyvos unique: outstanding music making with the best musicians of their generation, the wonderful location and last but not least the people at the festival who create a unique familiar atmosphere.”
SEBASTIAN MANZ
German clarinettist, solo clarinettist with the SWR Symphony Orchestra, awarded thrice with the ECHO Klassik Award, recipient in 2020 of the Opus Klassik Award.
“Having experienced the classical music landscape in my home country I can say with certainty that this festival is one of the most unique initiatives in Greece. The MIMF team is driven by the most precious ideal to keep classical music alive but also to bring it close to people who have not a real connection to it. An aim which I also support with my whole heart! Friendship, beautiful moments, laughter, talent, excellence... those are just a few of the many things that can describe this fantastic project and will hopefully bring together musicians and their audience for many years to come!”
DANAE PAPAMATHAIOU-MATSCHKE
Greek violinist, first prize winner at the International Violin Competition Andrea Postacchini and the International Violin Competition Henri Marteau.
“Molyvos festival is very special to me! I feel very honoured to be one of the artists who has been a regular since the first edition. The combination of the truly unique and stunning location together with great musicians always makes for a very memorable week. It’s also wonderful how much the festival has integrated into the life of the town, performing there is an immersive experience and subsequently there’s always a thrilling energy in the concerts.”
TIMOTHY RIDOUT
British violist, a BBC New Generation Artist and Borletti-Buitoni Trust fellow, winner of the prestigious Thierry Scherz Award.
“I feel honoured to have been part of all five festival editions so far. The familiar atmosphere and the world class musicianship at the MIMF are truly unique and inspiring.”
LECH ANTONIO USZYNSKI
Swiss-Polish violist, member of the the Stradivari Quartet and a Thomastik-Infeld Exclusive Artist.
THANK YOU! info@molyvosfestival.com | +30 6938 624496 | www.molyvosfestival.com