The Heart of Poetry Beats in Naoussa at the 4th International Poetry Festival Naousa, the “city of the vine and wine,” becomes the meeting point of world poetry this coming weekend as it hosts the 4th International Poetry Festival of Naoussa “Aristotle and the World”, from September 26 to 28, 2025.
Directed by Dr. Xanthi Hondrou-Hill, poet, translator, and in collaboration with Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis, internationally acclaimed poet and President of the International Scientific Committee of the festival, the festival gathers distinguished voices from Greece and abroad for a celebration of language, culture and shared humanity.
Festival highlights include:
• Poetry readings and multilingual recitations by twenty poets representing thirteen countries.
• Book presentations, guided tours, and performances in historic and cultural sites across Naoussa.
• Roundtables and conversations on poetry, translation and the role of literature today.
• Musical interludes accompanying readings, and opportunities for emerging poets through open-mic sessions.
Venues include: the VETLANS Hall (ERIA complex), the Cultural Center of the School of Aristotle, the ERIA Industrial Heritage Center, the Tomtsis Family workshop of traditional costume, the Ancient Theater of Mieza, the Macedonian Tombs, the Nymphaeum (School of Aristotle). Program activities will combine guided visits to archaeological and traditional sites with poetry recitations.
Organized by “Movement for Arts and Poetry” and co-hosted under the auspices of the Municipality of the Heroic City of Naoussa, the Festival aims to promote cultural diplomacy and peaceful coexistence through poetry.
Participating poets represent a remarkable international presence (USA, Australia, Sudan, Peru, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Albania, Cyprus and Greece), reflecting the Festival’s commitment to lyrical exchange and friendship. The Festival will close with the presentation of the “Aristotle” Poetry Awards. All events are free and open to the public.
Greek Poets
Christos Koukis – Greece
Dimitris P. Kraniotis – Greece
Georgia Makrogiorgou – Greece
Evangelia Aggeliki Pechlivanidou – Greece
Maria Politou – Greece
Grigoris Sakalis – Greece
Ilias Tsechos – Greece
Lilia Tsouva – Greece
Xanthi Hondrou-Hill – Greece
Angela Christofidou – Cyprus
International Poets
Lily Baylon – Peru / Spain
Sabrina de Canio – Italy
Derek Coyle – Ireland
Craig Czury – USA
Tarek Eltayeb – Austria / Sudan
Anna Hoffmann – Germany
Dash Malo – Albania
Erik Nordstrom – Sweden
George Wallace – USA
Les Wicks – Australia
Detailed Program
4th International Poetry Festival of Naoussa
“Aristotle and the World”
26 – 28 September 2025
“Movement for Arts and Poetry”
Co-organized and under the auspices of the Municipality of the Heroic City of Naoussa
Friday, 26 September 2025
Morning: Arrival of poets throughout the day.
Evening: 18:00 – Welcome Reception for the POETS
Buffet offered by local sponsors: wine, liqueurs, delicacies, and sweets for poets and distinguished guests.
18:30 – Opening Ceremony at the VETLANS Hall, Naoussa
Greetings from official guests, the Mayor of Naoussa, the Deputy Mayors of Culture and Tourism, and other distinguished attendees.
Presentation of the poets from around the world with poetry readings, accompanied by musical interludes from the Contemporary Piano Department of the Aristotle Conservatory under the direction of Professor Sofia Stamkou.
Saturday, 27 September 2025
Morning: 09:30 – Tours and Poetry Readings in Naoussa
• Visit to the Traditional Costume Workshop of the Tomtsis family (costumes for the Boules) and their museum, with poetry readings.
• Welcome and tour at the Archive of Argyroupolis at the Efxinos Club of Naoussa.
• Short visit to the open-air gallery at the town’s Farmers’ Market.
• Guided tour of the ERIA Industrial Heritage Center with poetry readings.
Lunch: 13:00 – Meal at Agios Nikolaos, Naoussa
Evening: 18:00 – VETLANS Hall
• Presentation of the poetry collection SO THIS IS ANTIOCH by George Wallace, published by Analekto, translated into Greek by Xanthi Hondrou-Hill, with talks by publisher Aki Thomaïdis and poet Georgia Makrogiōrgou, followed by poetry readings from the collection.
• Presentation of the trilingual anthology PHAEINON, translated into English and German by Xanthi Hondrou-Hill, with readings by participating poets.
• Presentation of the anthology Aristotle and the World from the 1st International Poetry Festival of Naoussa, translated into English by Xanthi Hondrou-Hill.
The presentations will be accompanied by musical interludes by the band “Ta Rebetopaida”.
Round Table: Presentation of the international literary organizations represented at the Festival: CIESART, World Poets Society, and others.
Sunday, 28 September 2025
Morning: 09:30 – Tour of Ancient Sites
• Ancient Theater of Mieza
• Makedonian Tombs
• Nymphaeum / in the modern building dedicated to Aristotle’s School
Visit to the Cultural Center of Aristotle’s School with a video screening on historical references and poetry readings.
Open Mic: Open stage for poetry readings.
This year the festival will also welcome emerging poets, giving them the opportunity to present one poem and share their talent.
Lunch: 14:30 – Group meal
Evening: 18:00 – Closing Ceremony at the VETLANS Hall
Poetry readings, musical interludes, surprises, and awards of the “Aristotle” Poetry Awards. Farewell to the poets from around the world with Participation Diplomas.
The closing ceremony will feature the four-voice mixed choir of the “Naoussa Conservatory,” with musical interludes.
