2014: “Year of Culture” For South Aegean Islands

Fira, Santorini

Vice governor of Region of South Aegean, Eleftheria Ftaklaki

The Region of South Aegean has declared 2014 as the “Year of Culture” and will focus on promoting the culture and tradition of the 48 Greek islands it represents.

“We will make the most of our history, our timeless culture and our cultural tradition to diversify our tourism product and showcase the Aegean identity to our guests,” the region’s vice governor, Eleftheria Ftaklaki, said during a press conference held on the sidelines of the recent 29th Philoxenia exhibition in Thessaloniki.

“We want to make a difference and give an identity to our destination,” she added.

The declaration of 2014 as the “Year of Culture” for the South Aegean islands will enhance the promotion of its identity as an “Archipelagos of Culture.”

Tradition at Olympos, Karpathos.

Lindos, Rhodes

St. John Monastery, Patmos

Asklepeion, Kos

The region will promote its islands not only through “sea & sun” but through the South Aegean’s “cultural routes.” Guests will be introduced to ancient theaters, monasteries, archaeological sites, traditional kafenia (cafes), music, galleries, paths, traditional villages, cultural routes (medieval routes, wine routes, the routes of Ulysses) and ancient myths.

Naxos town

Venetian Castle, Paros

Amorgos town

The famous windmills of Mykonos.

All of this and more will be included on the region’s new website www.aegeanislands.gr that will launch in February 2014.

The website is expected to operate as a valuable tool and reference point for tourism professionals and journalists but also for visitors to the Aegean islands. Through the website, the region hopes to create thematic tourism products in collaboration with international tour operators. For more information on the website, press here.

In addition, the region will also support islands in their effort to organize international events and claim European titles (Rhodes is a candidate city for 2017 European Youth Capital title, Syros may enter as a candidate city for the 2021 European Capital of Culture title).