Dodecanese Cultural Symposium on Leros

The 24th Dodecanese Cultural Symposium concluded on Leros after three successful and deeply moving days that produced a rich body of intellectual work.

Held from 25 to 27 June 2026, the gathering turned the island of Artemis into a centre of Dodecanese thought and presented culture as an enduring compass for the islands and their people.

The symposium was distinguished by the high standard of its papers, which covered a broad sweep of the region's historical and cultural journey.

Speakers examined archaeological evidence relating to monuments, Byzantine origins, modern history, folklore, migration and the strategic role of the Aegean during the world wars, offering delegates a substantial body of knowledge.

Particular attention was given to the identity of Leros, explored through language, architectural heritage, local beliefs and the island's human geography.

The organisers said the presentations were more than a historical record. They represented a living expression of commitment that would be preserved in the forthcoming 25th volume of the Dodecanese Chronicles.

The history of Leros would also be presented in a separate dedicated volume, giving the local community a valuable and lasting resource.

Thanks to the Leros community

The Dodecanese House of Letters and Arts expressed its gratitude to Metropolitan Paisios of Leros, Kalymnos and Astypalaia for his blessing and continuing support.

It thanked the Municipality of Leros and mayor Timotheos Kottakis for their close cooperation and substantial assistance in making the symposium a success.

The Asvestas family and staff of Crithoni's Paradise Hotel were thanked for their warm hospitality and careful management of the conference requirements.

The organisers also thanked Nefeli Hotel and its owner Manolis Mathioudakis, as well as Utopia Hotel Apartments and owner Dimitris Charinos, for helping to accommodate delegates.

Gratitude was extended to the distinguished participants who travelled from across Greece and abroad, and to the residents of Leros, who welcomed the proceedings with courtesy and genuine warmth.

The dedication of the House's members, who worked tirelessly on the event, showed that when collective determination meets love for a place, the result can endure beyond its own time.

Looking back on the symposium, the organisers concluded with the thought that culture is the memory that flowers in the present and the seed that nourishes tomorrow.