Where ?

The International Animation Festival & Forum will be held in Hermoupolis, the capital of Syros Island at the historic Apollon Theatre

Syros

"The capital of elegance and style" according to the wanderer Theophile Gautier, could be no other than Syros. Syros is located eighty nautical miles southeast of Piraeus and is the capital of Cyclades. It is a three-hour journey by boat and a half-hour flight from Athens.

The island is inhabited from the Neolithic era by Phoenicians. Syros played an important role in the development of the pre historic Cycladic civilization. The "Syros-Keros" civilization flourished that time (until 2000BC). During the historic era, the Ionians inhabited Syros and the island flourished in economy, art and culture in the 6th century BC. As centuries passed Syros was ruled by Macedonians, Romans and Byzantines.

In 1207 the Venetians built the medieval town of Syros (Ano Syros) and many Roman Catholics inhabit the island until now. In the 17th century, the Roman Catholic population outnumbered the Christian Orthodox. The numerous catholic churches and monasteries saved until nowadays add a special character to the island.

In 1537 the Turks dominated Syros. During the Greek War of Independence in 1821, the island was under the French occupation and remained neutral. Many immigrants from Kassos, Chios, Psarra islands and Asia Minor came and integrated with the population. That was the time when Hermoupolis was founded. In 1823 the first Hospital of Greece was founded in Hermoupolis and in 1833 the first High school of Greece, where Eleftherios Venizelos studied, was built.

Syros evolved both commercially and culturally until the 20th century. It was the largest harbour in Greece following Piraeus.

Hermoupolis is the most well maintained neoclassical city of Greece. With a population of 13000 inhabitants, it is the largest city of Cyclades. In Miaouli square, you can see the noble town hall, work of Ernst Ziller.

Apollon theatre

Apollon theatre has a long history that is perfectly related to the history of the island and its culture. This emblem of the cultural development of Hermoupolis was built in 1862-64.

It is related to at least four Italian architectural styles including that of La Scala (Teatro alla Scala in Milan).
The foundation of the theatre, near the Miaouli square, started in 1862 in P. Sampo's designs, an architect who used to work for the Hermoupolis Municipality.

Apollon theatre first opened on the 20th of April 1864 with Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto.

During the Greco-Italian war, the theatre was vandalised. Then it became a movie theatre, and never came around to its initial state. After the war, several theatrical performances took place including the last performance Marika Kotopouli ever gave on the 24th of March 1953.

Today this marvellous theatre is very similar to what it used to be when it was first built and it hosts numerous artistic events.