The village of Skala Eressos on Lesvos Island in Greece will host the 10th anniversary of the International Women’s Festival.

Your are invited you to Sappho’s birthplace and join us in these two week anniversary celebrations. Building  on the success and experience of previous festivals to offer a varied and balanced program reflecting the diverse interests of all women.

This community driven festival, in the birthplace of poet Sappho, has been envisioned, created and funded since the year 2000 by local travel agency, Sappho Travel, who are still an ongoing contributor to the promotion and development of activities by and for women, through presentation, practice and promotion of local and international exponents of education, literature, music, dance, film and art.

The annual two week festival provides the opportunity for local and international musicians, artists, performers, entertainers, scholars and  therapists to share in the practice, performance and appreciation of women’s talents in all its forms with enthusiasts of all ages.

The activities of the festival celebrate the diversity, literacy, philosophy and social justice from female participants and visitors from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. It empowers women, their status, organizations and position in society in general through education, cultural expression and by means of their creativity.

In 10 years time, the festival has become of considerable importance to the economy of Skala Eressos, in that by organizing it, the tourist season in the village is extended for an extra month every year. This directly benefits all local businesses which rely on tourism as a source of income.

This festival is a celebration of YOU, and however you enjoy spending your time there will be something here for you. Events will include concerts, DJ sets, women only trips and boat cruises, theatrical performances, Greek dinner and dance events, open mike sessions, sports and competitions, art workshops and exhibitions, meditation and spirituality demonstrations and workshops as well as pampering and healing, alternative and traditional therapies.

Plenty of time is reserved for your typical holiday activities as well, such as sunbathing on the 3km unspoilt beach, swimming in the warm and turquoise Aegean Sea, exploring the beautiful countryside and discovering a wealth of fresh food in the many restaurants.

You can find booking and other information, including pictures and details of previous festivals, as well as this year’s program at www.womensfestival.eu.

We are still looking for artists, performers and participants, including volunteers so if you are interested in playing a part in this year’s anniversary festival please email us at womensfestival@sapphotravel.com with your ideas or offerings. We look forward to hearing from you, and to seeing you in September.

Come and celebrate this anniversary with us and treat yourself to a truly unforgettable holiday
Festival organizers Wendy Jansen & Ioanna Savva International Women’s Festival

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]]> http://www.womentravelblog.com/index.php/2010/03/lesvos-womens-festival/feed/ 0 http://www.womentravelblog.com/index.php/2009/11/tour-goddess-crete/ http://www.womentravelblog.com/index.php/2009/11/tour-goddess-crete/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:01:05 +0000 Rosemary http://www.womentravelblog.com/?p=1045 Are you interested in exploring the ancient and contemporary myths and rituals of the Goddesses? 

Carol Christ and the Ariadne Institute for the Study of Myth and Ritual run several tours a year for women around the theme of  “Goddess Pilgrimage to Crete.”

Spend two weeks with twenty women exploring the ancient pathways of the Goddess as embodied in Crete.

• Walk on the stones of the ancient sites of Knossos, Phaistos, Malia,
• Kato Zakros, Archanes, Mochlos, Myrtos, and Kato Symi.
• Discover the matrifocal subtext of Christianity at Paliani with its sacred myrtle tree, Kera Kardiotissa, and Kritsa.
• Nourish your soul in the museums of Heraklion, Agios Nicholaos, and Siteia.
• Descend into the caves of Skoteino, Amnissos, Psychro, and Ida.
• Hike in the mountains at Zaros, Zakros, Archanes, Psychro, and Ida.
• Stay in small villages, meet local people, dance to Cretan music,
• feast on freshly cooked fish, tsatsiki, taramosalata, feta cheese, tiny olives, fried potatoes, local wine…

Feel Her power in holy mountains,
sense Her mysteries in the darkness of caves,
pour out libations of milk and honey on Minoan altars.
Contact a sacred energy that will transform the way you feel about women, yourself.

Carol Christ, Ph.D

Carol visited New Zealand several years ago and stayed with me – she is a pioneer and founding mother of the Goddess, women’s spirituality, and feminist theology movements and directs Ariadne Institute which seeks to:

Address the mind, body, and spirit, encouraging “embodied thinking” and personal transformation. Several hundred women of all ages—including artists, writers, educators, students, businesswomen, and homemakers— have participated in our programs since 1993. We are joined in the Ariadne sisterhood and keep in touch through our newsletter Ariadne’s Thread.