…
With representatives from 18 countries, the works of the 8th International Conference on Tourism and Culture – YPERIA 2010, were completed, at Aegialis Hotel & Spa, on Amorgos island, cyclades Greece, from 8 to 12 April.
After a welcome by Mrs. Irene Giannakopoulos the President of the Organizing Committee, President of Cultural Association Tholaria and hostess of "Aegialis Hotel & Spa" greetings were made by Antonios Vlavianos on behalf of the Organizing Committee, and by the Mayor of Amorgos, Mr. Nicholas Fostieris. Short film screenings followed for trails, herbs, monuments, people, places of Amorgos and olives from Mr. and Mrs. Edith Lebon, Evangelos Vassalos, Provopoulos Elias and Michel Constant.
Lectures were given for religious tourism, religious monuments of Amorgos, health tourism, and the Mediterranean diet, by Dr. Isidore Pachoundakis, Protopresbyter Synodinos Thomas, Prof. Emmanuel Marmaras Architect -Town Planner Mrs. Wallace Athena and journalist Mr Marios Kalfoglou.
“Greek Film Academy” on Friday April 9, was coordinated by the famous director: Mr. George Dampasis.Speeches and parallel screenings were made by the journalist Mr. Aris Malandrakis (Vacation on the old Greek Cinema), by the film critic Mr. Notis Forsos (International Film Festival – 50 years association with the Greek cinema), and by the Director of the Studio "Parallel circuit" Mrs. Argyro Mesimeri (Film archives and cross-cultural tourism).
On Saturday April 10, there was International Meeting of Tour Film Festival Organizers, with lectures and screenings of Tourist Films from Poland, Romania, Serbia, Portugal, Russia, Italy, Spain, Latvia, Tunisia Holland, Greece, etc, coordinated by Ms Ewa Kotus, President of the Polish Festival. Portuguese Prof. Francisco Dias spoke about “The influence of films on tourism”, Mr. Bosko Savkouvik, organizer of the Altenativa Festival Serbia, spoke about “Using literature to create documentaries” while two film screenings were made about Frideriko Chopin, marking the 200th anniversary of his birth (Directors: Jerzy Szkamzuk and Piotr Stawinski).
The conference ended with discussions, distribution of participation Certificates, awards to the winning films, and summary conclusion of the Conference, by Coordinator of Conference Mr. Emmanuel Lignos, an attorney, journalist, and President of the Cycladic Press Association.
The participants visited landscapes and monuments of Amorgos (Tholaria, Panochoriani Church, Lagada, Chozoviotissa Monastery, Chora, Archaeological Museum, etc) and took part in Prossessions of icons to the villages of Amorgos, and to the monastery Hozoviotissa.
Delegates visited the City Hall in Chora, and watched the film “Amorgos”, produced by the Amorgos Municipality. The play "The Bug" was presented by the dance group "bubble" while traditional raki and xerotigana were offered.
The delegation of Poland (President of Plock, journalists, TV crew, photographers, etc.) awarded diplomas of honor and souvenirs to President Irene Giannakopoulos, to Protopresbyter Fr Thomas Synodinos, to the Mayor of Amorgos Mr. Nicholas Fostieris, to Mr. Antonios Vlavianos, and to Archaeology Professor Mrs. Lila Maragou .
Amorgian Gastronomy was presented and tasted during lunches and dinners in restaurants: "Ambrosia" – Aegialis Hotel & Spa where there was wine tasting, and cookery demonstration, “Lakki Taverna”, "O Chondros”, "Kostaras" “To Limani”, “O Nikos” in Langada," Panorama" in Tholaria.
There were film screenings from Tunisia, "The trails of Andros" by George Dampasi, "The Winds of Keros" by Marina Kounenaki "Leros – Malta of the Aegean" by Bill Mentogianni etc. There was traditional dance presentation In Tholaria and Langada by local dance groups, organized by Mrs. Annita Grispou.
Special musical note to the Congress was given by Mrs Maria Pomianowska, with traditional stringed instruments, music and songs of Poland. Watercolor Exchibition the "Olive Tree" by French painter Michel Constant took place, and photograph Exchibition by seven photographers from different countries inspired by Amorgos. Farewell Dinner took place at Aegialis Hotel & Spa with Traditional Music and Dancing.
First Amorgos Film Festival Results:
Grand Prix Winner: Frederyk 2010 by Jerzy Szkarmuk and Piotr Stawinski of Poland.
First Price: Breviary by Bosko Savkovic, Serbia
Second Price: Wrinkles and Dreams by Georgia Petrali/ Fysalida Dance Company of Greece.
Third Price: Amorgos, the island of the sky by Carlos Araujo of Portugal.
Honor mention: Live this remarkable experience in Sesimbra by Carlos Manuel Sargedas, Portugal
The conference was held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Aegean and Island Policy.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
