In an atmosphere of emotion, remembrance, and creative dialogue, the 10th International Student Literature Conference “Dido Sotiriou: The Asia Minor Woman” was held in Istanbul from March 11 to 15, 2026, once again highlighting the power of literature to unite places, generations, and experiences.
The conference, organized by the Zografeion Lyceum of Istanbul and the E. Mantoulides Schools of the Dukes Education group, under the auspices of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, brought together more than 400 students and teachers from 34 schools in Greece, Cyprus, Istanbul, Imbros, Africa, and America. They met with prominent representatives of literature, journalism, and the arts to “converse” with the era and the deeply human legacy of Dido Sotiriou.
The life and work of Dido Sotiriou were highlighted through the students’ creative ideas and activities, the substantial presentations of the invited speakers, and the fruitful discussions held in emblematic locations of the City. The conference’s thematic focus was multifaceted and particularly engaging.
The Conference offered young people a valuable opportunity to express themselves, reflect, and approach literature as a living field of encounter with history, memory, and human experience. At the same time, they had the chance to get to know Istanbul, connect with its historical depth, and feel even closer to their roots and heritage.
On the FIRST DAY of the Conference, at Grand Pera, the message of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who declared the opening of the 10th International Student Literature Conference, marked the beginning of an event with a distinct spiritual and educational imprint. The Patriarch, who did not attend in person, sent a greeting read by Mr. Konstantinos Delikostantis, Archon Didaskalos tou Genous, Director of the First Patriarchal Office, and Emeritus Professor of the Theological School of Athens. In his message, he warmly welcomed the delegates to the City of Constantine and the Queen of Cities, congratulated the organizers, speakers, students, and all participants, and emphasized the joy of bringing together young people from four continents. He made special reference to Dido Sotiriou, whom he described as a fighter for humanity, peace, and justice, stressing that her work – especially Farewell Anatolia (Matomena Homata) – remains dramatically relevant in an era when war continues to spread fear and pain. He also highlighted the importance of literature and reading in a digital age, noting that they cultivate not only language but also sensitivity, empathy, and the search for meaning. He made a special reference to the Greek language, which he called “the mother tongue of the spirit,” emphasizing its universality and the ongoing need to safeguard the culture of books and reading. With these thoughts, he declared the Conference open, wishing a fruitful and successful event.
Greetings followed from the organizers, Yiannis Demirtzoglou, Director of the Zografeion Lyceum, and Aspa Chasioti, PhD in Philology and General Director of the Mantoulidis Schools. After welcoming students, teachers, and guests from Greece, Africa, America, Cyprus, the Greek community of Istanbul and Imbros, and every corner of the world, they highlighted the symbolism of hosting the event in Istanbul, the role of the Zografeion as a living beacon of education and culture, and the importance of the Conference as an institution that brings young people closer to literature, historical memory, and their roots.
Greetings were also delivered by Giorgos Papaliaris, President of SYRKI and President of the Stavrodromi Community, and Stratos Doltsiniadis, Representative of the Founder of the Zografeion Lyceum.
A special moment of the opening ceremony was the keynote speech by author Lena Divani, titled “I Dreamed of Dido.” With a personal and meaningful tone, she approached Dido Sotiriou not only as an important literary figure but also as a deeply political and human presence whose work and life stance illuminate major issues of memory, history, social responsibility, and vigilance.
The opening evening concluded with a concert by Giannis Kotsiras. The beloved performer presented the program “I Come from Smyrna,” singing Asia Minor songs as well as pieces from his personal repertoire, setting from the very first night the tone of an event that organically connects literature with memory, history, and culture.
On the SECOND DAY of the Conference, Thursday, March 12, the sessions moved to the Zografeion Gymnasium-Lyceum, where a rich program of discussions and activities dedicated to the life, work, and lasting relevance of Dido Sotiriou took place.
The topic of the first discussion was “Is There Anything More Fantastic Than Reality? Dido Sotiriou Between Journalism and Literature,” with special advisor and moderator Kostas Karavidas, member of E.DI.P., Department of Philology, University of Ioannina. Participants included Afroditi Athanasopoulou, Associate Professor of Modern Greek Philology, University of Cyprus; Thaleia Karamolegkou, journalist and radio producer; Erasmia-Louiza Stavropoulou, Emeritus Professor of Modern Greek Philology, University of Athens; and author Nikos Davvetas.
The second discussion, held in the same venue, was titled “Portraits: Voices and Characters in the Work of Dido Sotiriou,” with special advisor Nikos Mathioudakis, PhD in Stylistics and member of the Hellenic Open University faculty, and moderator Kostas Mpliatkas, journalist and author. Participants included Vasilis Vasileiadis, Assistant Professor of Modern Greek Philology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; journalist Grigoris Bekos; Maria Nikolopoulou, member of E.DI.P., University of Athens; and author Michalis Spengos.
Meanwhile, in the Dimitrios Fragkopoulos Ceremony Hall, schools presented performances, giving students the opportunity to showcase their own creative interpretations of Sotiriou’s work.
In the afternoon, the third discussion took place, titled “The Woman of Her Life,” with poet Myrsini Gkana as special advisor and moderator. Participants included author and philologist Evi Koutroubaki; author and philologist Thomas Korovinis; poet and essayist Eftychia-Alexandra Loukidou; and Maria Nikolopoulou, member of E.DI.P., University of Athens.
This was followed by the fourth discussion, “When Society Falls Out of Tune, We Have a Duty to Wake Up at Dawn,” with author Giannis Paschos as special advisor and moderator. Participants included Kostas Karavidas, Thaleia Karamolegkou, Eftychia-Alexandra Loukidou, and Grigoris Bekos. A parallel activity, “In the Traps of Our History,” was coordinated by journalist Apostolos Lakasas, with the participation of Afroditi Athanasopoulou, Vasilis Vasileiadis, Professor Angeliki Kastrinaki of the University of Crete, and Evi Koutroubaki, along with school educators.
The second day concluded with the performance “Manolis Axiotis at the Zografeion Lyceum,” based on Farewell Anatolia by Dido Sotiriou. A large audience attended another powerful cultural moment of the Conference, featuring narration by Rénos Haralambidis, direction by Thodoris Gonis, set design by Andreas Georgiadis, and music and singing by Dimitra Tsagkaraki and Petros Christakis.
On the THIRD DAY of the Conference, Friday, March 13, participants departed in the morning for Hagia Sophia, where they were given a guided tour. They then visited the Church of Panagia of Blachernae, where they attended the Third Stanza of the Salutations and chanted the Akathist Hymn together in a deeply spiritual atmosphere, 14 centuries after its first recitation in the same place.
In the afternoon, at the Galata School, the fifth discussion took place, titled “A Survival Guide for the 21st Century from Dido Sotiriou,” with author Lena Divani as special advisor and journalist Apostolos Lakasas as moderator. Participants included Kostas Karavidas, Myrsini Gkana, and Angeliki Kastrinaki.
This was followed by the discussion “My Own Dido,” moderated by journalist Manolis Kostidis, with the participation of authors Christos Asteriou, Lena Divani, Thomas Korovinis, Alexis Panselinos; Dr. Christina Zenginoglou; Dr. Symeon Soltaridis; Emeritus Professor Erasmia-Louiza Stavropoulou; and journalist Pavlos Tsimas.
On the FOURTH DAY of the Conference, Saturday, March 14, students and participants boarded a boat bound for Halki. Great emotion was felt during their visit to the Halki Theological School, where the activity “To Dido from Halki” took place. There, students “conversed” with Dido Sotiriou through words, thoughts, and creative interventions. They then departed for Prinkipo, where they visited the Church of Panagia, and the day concluded with a warm, festive gathering at the Community of Mega Revma, where the theme of the next conference was announced.
On the FIFTH DAY of the Conference, Sunday, March 15, the event concluded with the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, at the Patriarchal Church of St. George in the Phanar, sealing in the most symbolic way an event with a strong spiritual, educational, and cultural imprint.
The 10th International Student Conference on Dido Sotiriou once again confirmed the deep educational, cultural, and research-oriented character of the institution. Warm congratulations are due to Yiannis Demirtzoglou, Director of the Zografeion Lyceum, and Aspa Chasioti, General Director of the E. Mantoulides Schools, who envisioned this important institution and carry it out each year with exceptional care, consistency, and dedication, as well as to all who worked with commitment for the success of this significant event.
The next conference will take place the following spring, from March 31 to April 4, 2027, and will be dedicated to the unforgettable Thessaloniki-born, Constantinopolitan songwriter Dionysis Savvopoulos.
Previous conferences were dedicated to A. Papadiamantis (2012), K. P. Kavafis (2013), G. Seferis (2014), G. Vizyinos (2015), O. Elytis (2016), G. Theotokas (2018), A. Samarakis (2019), Yiannis Ritsos (2024), and Kiki Dimoula (2025).
More information about the International Student Literature Conference can be found at: www.islic.org
The Conference was broadcast online via: https://www.livemedia.gr/sotiriou26
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