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PARADISE — a theatre evening with the DELUDERS

On Saturday, 18 July 2026, Melanydros brought the theatre group DELUDERS to Neochori for one unique evening: the performance “PARADISE, or A Little Story with No Tragedy at All”.

The contemporary piece brought to light the stories of women who loved, dreamed and fought for their freedom, only to be confronted by violence, social expectation and the silences of their time.

But what if the story is only one — and it all began with an apple? An apple, red as blood, that became a symbol and travelled through the centuries, into myths, songs and human storytelling. Through folk songs, myths, imagery and personal narratives, the performance opened a deeply human space where memory meets the present and the voice turns trauma into story — inviting the audience not only to watch, but to recognise fragments of their own history.

Following successful performances across Greece, PARADISE came to Lefkada for a single evening, presented with English surtitles, with the support of the Municipality of Lefkada as part of its collaboration with Melanydros.

Impressions

Poster for the PARADISE performance by the DELUDERS in Neochori (1)
Poster for the PARADISE performance by the DELUDERS in Neochori (2)

Creative Painting Workshop with Artemis Xeniou

From 14 to 17 July 2026, Melanydros welcomed artist Artemis Xeniou for a Creative Painting Workshop for children and adults — and Neochori filled with colour.

Using coloured pencils and paints, participants explored the elements of their own personality that leave a mark on paper. From individual expression the group moved towards collective creation, learning techniques, discovering the possibilities of colour and building an imaginative open-air exhibition.

Artemis Xeniou is a visual artist and a student at the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague. She has studied in Greece, Lithuania, Hungary and London (Central Saint Martins), and has shown her work and performances in Greece, Iceland, Germany and the Netherlands. The workshop took place at the school in Neochori and was free to attend.

Impressions

Painting created at the Creative Painting Workshop with Artemis Xeniou in Neochori (1)
Painting created at the Creative Painting Workshop with Artemis Xeniou in Neochori (2)

Sea Pictures — a concert for the 20th Lefkada Music Week

On Sunday, 5 July 2026, Melanydros hosted the concert “Sea Pictures” at the school in Neochori, presented as part of the 20th Lefkada Music Week.

Under the artistic direction of Vanessa Athanasiou, this anniversary edition was dedicated to the sea and the element of water, featuring works by distinguished European, American and Japanese composers — Beethoven, Elgar, Dvořák, Higurashi, Kinoshita, Weill, Puccini, Curtis, Menotti and Tchaikovsky, as well as the Greek composers Spathis and Chairopoulos, with songs in seven languages.

Performers: Kimiko Hata (soprano), Laura Mamakos (mezzo-soprano), Despoina Manea (mezzo-soprano), Vanessa Athanasiou (violin), Elli Filippou (cello) and Spyros Souladakis (piano).

A special highlight of the evening was a short performance of the traditional Ryukyu Buyo (玻球舞跿) dance from Okinawa, presented by the Japanese dancers, the Akamine Sisters — a unique musical evening where the sea became inspiration, sound and movement in one of the most beautiful mountain villages of Lefkada.

Impressions

Impression from the Sea Pictures concert at the old school in Neochori (1)
Impression from the Sea Pictures concert at the old school in Neochori (2)
Impression from the Sea Pictures concert at the old school in Neochori (3)
Impression from the Sea Pictures concert at the old school in Neochori (4)
Impression from the Sea Pictures concert at the old school in Neochori (5)
Impression from the Sea Pictures concert at the old school in Neochori (6)
Impression from the Sea Pictures concert at the old school in Neochori (7)
Impression from the Sea Pictures concert at the old school in Neochori (8)
Impression from the Sea Pictures concert at the old school in Neochori (9)

Dressing the Lefkadian Woman — costume, poetry and song

On Saturday, 13 June 2026, Melanydros held an evening at the Neochori school dedicated to the theme “the soul yearns to be expressed” — through traditional dress, poetry, song and dance.

“Dressing the Lefkadian Woman” — Ioanna Livitsanou presented the traditional women’s costume of Lefkada, together with its jewellery and hairstyles, through storytelling, photographs and a live demonstration of dressing and adornment.

“A Musical and Poetic Gathering” — Andreas Melas shared his own poems, and the evening opened to everyone who wished to recite favourite verses or their own writing. Recitations alternated with musical moments in a warm gathering of words and melody, until the night gave way to rebetiko.

With the kind support of the Municipality of Lefkada, Vasiliki Christopoulou, Andreas Melas and Kostas Plios took the audience on a journey through songs of love, longing, joy and hope — a celebration where music became a shared experience and led naturally to dancing and companionship.

Impressions

Impression from the evening “the soul yearns to be expressed” at the school in Neochori (1)
Impression from the evening “the soul yearns to be expressed” at the school in Neochori (2)
Impression from the evening “the soul yearns to be expressed” at the school in Neochori (3)
Impression from the evening “the soul yearns to be expressed” at the school in Neochori (4)
Impression from the evening “the soul yearns to be expressed” at the school in Neochori (5)
Impression from the evening “the soul yearns to be expressed” at the school in Neochori (6)
Impression from the evening “the soul yearns to be expressed” at the school in Neochori (7)
Impression from the evening “the soul yearns to be expressed” at the school in Neochori (8)
Impression from the evening “the soul yearns to be expressed” at the school in Neochori (9)
Impression from the evening “the soul yearns to be expressed” at the school in Neochori (10)
Impression from the evening “the soul yearns to be expressed” at the school in Neochori (11)

Musical evenings with Helmut Strack — Neochori & Agios Petros

The Melanydros association and the association of Agios Petros came together for two musical evenings dedicated to community, singing and the bonds of friendship between our villages and their people.

On Saturday, 16 May 2026 at 19:00 we met in Neochori, at the old school, and on Sunday, 17 May 2026 at 19:00 in the square of Agios Petros — two evenings full of music, companionship and the authentic spirit of Greece.

Led by Helmut Strack, a member of Melanydros, and accompanied by his accordion, we came together to share songs and moments under the same sky. Anyone who wished could bring an instrument, or simply the joy of singing. Participation was free and open to all.

We sang songs by Theodorakis, Hadjidakis, Vamvakaris and other great composers — folk and traditional songs that remind us that music knows no borders.

“…for we do not sing to set ourselves apart from the world. We sing to bring people together.”
Giannis Ritsos

Impressions

Impression from the musical evening with Helmut Strack in Neochori and Agios Petros (1)
Impression from the musical evening with Helmut Strack in Neochori and Agios Petros (2)
Impression from the musical evening with Helmut Strack in Neochori and Agios Petros (3)
Impression from the musical evening with Helmut Strack in Neochori and Agios Petros (4)

REDICOLO puppet theatre — two days of shows for all ages

Melanydros welcomed the REDICOLO puppet theatre from Thessaloniki for a unique two-day event for children and adults alike, at the school in Neochori. Two performances with life-sized and giant puppets, live music and audience participation brought the stage to life.

Saturday, 2 May, 17:30 — “Robin of the Woods… differently!”
A brave and strong hero who is a little funnier than he would like. An original, interactive contemporary puppet show with life-sized puppets that, through humour and unexpected twists, highlights the value of cooperation and reminds us that no one succeeds alone.

Sunday, 3 May, 11:00 — “The Circle with the Puppet”
A tender, profound story that asks a timeless question: what is truly fair? With giant puppets over two metres tall and audience participation, the performance became a living story unfolding through action and play.

With a focus on cultural awareness and on opening the world of theatre to children, the event was made possible with the valuable support of Christina Gaintatzi, Zois D. Gazis, Giorgos Manolitsis-Douzos, Alekos Baltsas and Vasilis Tzoras.

Impressions

Impression from the REDICOLO puppet theatre performances at the school in Neochori (1)
Impression from the REDICOLO puppet theatre performances at the school in Neochori (2)
Impression from the REDICOLO puppet theatre performances at the school in Neochori (3)
Impression from the REDICOLO puppet theatre performances at the school in Neochori (4)
Impression from the REDICOLO puppet theatre performances at the school in Neochori (5)
Impression from the REDICOLO puppet theatre performances at the school in Neochori (6)
Impression from the REDICOLO puppet theatre performances at the school in Neochori (7)

TACK — a documentary on courage and justice

On Friday, 27 March 2026 at 19:00, Melanydros screened the documentary TACK, directed by Vania Turner, at the school in Neochori. The film is produced by Onassis Culture and distributed by Cinedoc, and was shown with English subtitles.

TACK captures a defining moment in contemporary Greek society. When an Olympic athlete speaks publicly about her own abuse, she opens the way for the Greek #MeToo movement. Among the women who find the strength to speak out is a young athlete who decides to take her former coach to court. Over two years, the film follows their shared journey — two women, one trauma, one landmark trial.

Through a powerful and moving account, the film reveals the harsh reality of the judicial process, brings the phenomenon of victim-blaming to light, and exposes the weaknesses of a system that often exhausts those who come forward.

As in sailing, so in life, a “tack” is the move you make to advance against the wind. A story of courage, solidarity and the pursuit of justice — a film that leaves no one unmoved.

Impressions

Impression from the screening of the documentary TACK in Neochori (1)
Impression from the screening of the documentary TACK in Neochori (2)
Impression from the screening of the documentary TACK in Neochori (3)