In Kythira, where tradition and culture meet nature, the Orange Festival has emerged as an institution that offers much more than just artistic events. Through the self-sacrifice and passion of its organizers, the beautification and cultural association «Portokalia tou Karava» continues to offer high-quality activities to the local community. The Aristea Protonotariou, a member of the association and one of the festival's key contributors, shares with journalist Nora Ralli “Newspaper of the Editors” the challenges, visions, and importance of volunteering that makes the event possible a festival that inspires and unites the local community. Read the interview below:

Orange Festival in Kythira

Interview with the journalist Nora Ralli

This is not the first time we have mentioned this, and it will not be the last: festivals held outside Athens usually (unfortunately not always) do more than just increase the cultural capital of the region where they take place.

Now, as support from the Ministry of Culture tends to be invisible or minimal, regional festivals really continue to exist only because of the will of their organizers.

This is exactly the case with Kythira, a truly beautiful place. Despite its small size, this little piece of Greece has managed to put itself on the country's cultural map. However, many of the things that used to take place on the island are no longer happening, for obvious reasons (the lack of state support does not favor the longevity of any institution). The Orange Festival, however, still continues to exist. It is not that «old» – this year will be the third edition, which starts today (August 23) and ends on Sunday, August 25: three days full of music!

Specifically, the following artists will be performing at the Festival (in Ammo Square, Kythira): Eisvoleas, Marina Satti, and Ioulia Karapataki Pale Oaks and Glass Rebel are coming to Kythira for the first time. They will be joined by Koumpares, a group of women who approach traditional music with their unparalleled Athenian temperament, starting the traditional celebration early and passing the baton to Alexandros Ieronimidis, Ektor Kyriakou, Stratis Skourkeas, and Yiannis Chinos. The festival's younger visitors will dance with Kids Radio Banda, while older guests are invited to dance until dawn with DJ sets by Street Outdoors Soundsystem, Lil Dim, Super Mario, and Nathan... We spoke with one of the organizers, Aristea Protonotariou.

– How did the Festival get its name and what makes it unique?;

The Festival takes its name from «Portokalia,» our cultural association, which since its founding in 1977 has had as its primary goal the promotion and protection of the natural and cultural heritage of the region. The idea for the festival was born in 2018, following the festival organized by the association in previous years. All of us who have taken the helm of the association grew up with its activities. We are the «seeds» of a culture based on selflessness and volunteerism, with one and only one goal: to contribute to the community, to honor our grandparents, and at the same time to build a better tomorrow for our children. The association is mainly supported by the residents of the village, but also by people who want to be part of this beautiful and meaningful effort we are making. Since last year, having built a strong “brand,” we have also received some sponsorships, either from companies or individuals. For the first time this year, the Ministry of Culture and Sports approved a grant for one of our parallel activities, “CinePortokalia” (our summer cinema).

– Kythira is known for its photography festival and amaranth. I don't even know if both still exist. In an era where nothing remains constant, how difficult is it to institutionalize a vision for culture?;

Unfortunately, the photography festival has ceased to exist, unlike the evergreen (place name: Sempreviva), which continues to grow on the wild slopes of the island. Every place is truly its own world, and under this assumption, as long as there are active people with passion and enthusiasm, then yes, you can turn a vision into an institution. Such people make up the ’Portokalia« team, and we want to believe that through our actions we will inspire others to get involved in the future of the place.

– Would you like to expand into other arts besides music? What would it take to do that?;

It's something we really wanted, so we managed to achieve it at this year's festival, beyond our musical events (which are the main ones), and we also have theater, cinema, painting exhibitions, circus, as well as activities related to sports and the environment... In other words, everything that, together with the arts, makes up what we call «culture.» We are open to anything we find meaningful, and in addition to many ideas, we also have many proposals for the future. What is needed is good organization and a «strong stomach.».

– Do local musicians participate? Are there any? Or has Kythira been left to its fate? I mean, do children have the opportunity to come into contact with music, and if so, how?;

Firstly, we are honored and delighted to have as a member and artistic director of our festival, a great musician from Kythira, Lambis Kountouroyanis. Every year we also have musical groups from the island, an island with a long history in music, from bands to the Philharmonic Orchestra, which has been in existence since the 1960s. In addition to the musical evenings that take place throughout the year on the island, the development of the musical ’movement« is also aided by the operation of a conservatory that gives young people the opportunity to come into contact with many musical instruments and different musical genres.

– Ultimately, how much difference can a festival make to a place? And, more broadly, can culture bring about «development» even under the current terms of the concept?;

We firmly believe that our festival can make a difference! The first results are already beginning to show. More people are becoming active, getting involved in community affairs, and taking care of their villages. It's a «tsunami» that's sweeping up not just the locals but also the municipality. Portokalia keeps the cultural «flame» alive, a «flame» that can bring about the right kind of «development.» And we won't stop until we get there!

Info:
The entire festival is organized voluntarily, with love, passion, and personal care by the cultural association “Portokalia Karava Kythira” or “Portokalia Karava.” The concerts and musical evenings take place in the northernmost village of Kythira, by the sea, overlooking the Peloponnese, in Platia Ammo.