{"id":157909,"date":"2026-03-16T16:29:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T14:29:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/?p=157909"},"modified":"2026-03-23T16:31:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T14:31:06","slug":"10th-international-student-literature-conference-dido-sotiriou-the-asia-minor-woman-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/10th-international-student-literature-conference-dido-sotiriou-the-asia-minor-woman-2\/","title":{"rendered":"10th International Student Literature Conference \u201cDido Sotiriou: The Asia Minor Woman\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

In an atmosphere of emotion, remembrance, and creative dialogue, the 10th International Student Literature Conference \u201cDido Sotiriou: The Asia Minor Woman\u201d was held in Istanbul from March 11 to 15, 2026, once again highlighting the power of literature to unite places, generations, and experiences.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The conference, organized by the\u00a0Zografeion\u00a0Lyceum of Istanbul and the\u00a0E.\u00a0Mantoulides\u00a0Schools 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 \u201cconverse\u201d with the era and the deeply human legacy of Dido Sotiriou.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The life and work of Dido Sotiriou were highlighted through the students\u2019 creative ideas and activities, the substantial presentations of the invited speakers, and the fruitful discussions held in emblematic locations of the\u00a0City. The conference\u2019s thematic focus was multifaceted and particularly engaging.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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On the FIRST DAY<\/span><\/b>\u00a0of 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\u00a0Delikostantis, Archon\u00a0Didaskalos\u00a0tou\u00a0Genous, 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\u00a0organizers, 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\u00a0–\u00a0especially\u00a0<\/span>Farewell Anatolia<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(<\/span>Matomena\u00a0Homata<\/span><\/i>)\u00a0–\u00a0remains\u00a0dramatically 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 \u201cthe mother tongue of the spirit,\u201d emphasizing its universality and the ongoing need to safeguard the culture of books and reading. With these thoughts, he declared the Conference open,\u00a0wishing\u00a0a fruitful and successful event.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Greetings followed\u00a0from\u00a0the organizers, Yiannis\u00a0Demirtzoglou, Director of the\u00a0Zografeion\u00a0Lyceum, and\u00a0Aspa\u00a0Chasioti, PhD in Philology and General Director of the\u00a0Mantoulidis\u00a0Schools. 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\u00a0Zografeion\u00a0as 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Greetings were also delivered by Giorgos\u00a0Papaliaris, President of SYRKI and President of the\u00a0Stavrodromi\u00a0Community, and Stratos\u00a0Doltsiniadis, Representative of the Founder of the\u00a0Zografeion\u00a0Lyceum.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A special moment of the opening ceremony was the keynote speech by author Lena Divani, titled \u201cI Dreamed of Dido.\u201d 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\u00a0major issues\u00a0of memory, history, social responsibility, and vigilance.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The opening evening concluded with a concert by Giannis\u00a0Kotsiras. The beloved performer presented the program \u201cI Come from Smyrna,\u201d 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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On the SECOND DAY<\/span><\/b>\u00a0of the Conference, Thursday, March 12, the sessions moved to the\u00a0Zografeion\u00a0Gymnasium-Lyceum, where a rich program of discussions and activities dedicated to the life, work, and lasting relevance of Dido Sotiriou took place.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The topic of the first discussion was \u201cIs There Anything More Fantastic Than\u00a0Reality? Dido Sotiriou Between Journalism and Literature,\u201d with special advisor and moderator Kostas\u00a0Karavidas, 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\u00a0Karamolegkou,\u00a0journalist\u00a0and radio producer; Erasmia-Louiza Stavropoulou, Emeritus Professor of Modern Greek Philology, University of Athens; and author Nikos\u00a0Davvetas.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The second discussion, held in the same venue, was titled \u201cPortraits: Voices and Characters in the Work of Dido Sotiriou,\u201d with special advisor Nikos\u00a0Mathioudakis, PhD in Stylistics and member of the Hellenic Open University faculty, and moderator Kostas\u00a0Mpliatkas,\u00a0journalist\u00a0and author. Participants included Vasilis Vasileiadis, Assistant Professor of Modern Greek Philology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; journalist Grigoris\u00a0Bekos; Maria Nikolopoulou, member of E.DI.P., University of Athens; and author Michalis\u00a0Spengos.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, in the Dimitrios\u00a0Fragkopoulos\u00a0Ceremony Hall, schools presented performances, giving students the opportunity to\u00a0showcase\u00a0their own creative interpretations of Sotiriou\u2019s work.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the afternoon, the third discussion took place, titled \u201cThe Woman of Her Life,\u201d with poet Myrsini\u00a0Gkana\u00a0as special advisor and moderator. Participants included author and philologist Evi\u00a0Koutroubaki; author and philologist Thomas\u00a0Korovinis; poet and essayist Eftychia-Alexandra\u00a0Loukidou; and Maria Nikolopoulou, member of E.DI.P., University of Athens.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This was followed by the fourth discussion, \u201cWhen Society Falls Out of Tune, We Have a Duty to Wake Up at Dawn,\u201d with author Giannis\u00a0Paschos\u00a0as special advisor and moderator. Participants included Kostas\u00a0Karavidas, Thaleia\u00a0Karamolegkou, Eftychia-Alexandra\u00a0Loukidou, and Grigoris\u00a0Bekos. A parallel activity, \u201cIn the Traps of Our History,\u201d was coordinated by journalist Apostolos\u00a0Lakasas, with the participation of Afroditi Athanasopoulou, Vasilis Vasileiadis, Professor Angeliki\u00a0Kastrinaki\u00a0of the University of Crete, and Evi\u00a0Koutroubaki, along with school educators.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The second day concluded with the performance \u201cManolis Axiotis at the\u00a0Zografeion\u00a0Lyceum,\u201d based on\u00a0<\/span>Farewell Anatolia<\/span><\/i>\u00a0by Dido Sotiriou. A large audience attended another powerful cultural moment of the Conference, featuring narration by\u00a0R\u00e9nos\u00a0Haralambidis, direction by\u00a0Thodoris\u00a0Gonis, set design by Andreas Georgiadis, and music and singing by Dimitra Tsagkaraki and Petros Christakis.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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On the THIRD DAY<\/span><\/b>\u00a0of the Conference, Friday, March 13, participants\u00a0departed\u00a0in 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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In the afternoon, at the Galata School, the fifth discussion took place, titled \u201cA Survival Guide for the 21st Century from Dido Sotiriou,\u201d with author Lena Divani as special advisor and journalist Apostolos\u00a0Lakasas\u00a0as moderator. Participants included Kostas\u00a0Karavidas, Myrsini\u00a0Gkana, and Angeliki\u00a0Kastrinaki.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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This was followed by the discussion \u201cMy Own Dido,\u201d moderated by journalist Manolis\u00a0Kostidis, with the participation of authors Christos\u00a0Asteriou, Lena Divani, Thomas\u00a0Korovinis, Alexis\u00a0Panselinos; Dr. Christina\u00a0Zenginoglou; Dr. Symeon\u00a0Soltaridis; Emeritus Professor Erasmia-Louiza Stavropoulou; and journalist Pavlos\u00a0Tsimas.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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On the FOURTH DAY<\/span><\/b>\u00a0of 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 \u201cTo Dido from Halki\u201d took place. There, students \u201cconversed\u201d with Dido Sotiriou through words, thoughts, and creative interventions. They then\u00a0departed\u00a0for\u00a0Prinkipo, where they visited the Church of Panagia, and the day concluded with a warm, festive gathering at the Community of Mega\u00a0Revma, where the theme of the next conference was announced.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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On the FIFTH DAY<\/span><\/b>\u00a0of 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\u00a0Phanar, sealing in the most symbolic way an event with a strong spiritual, educational, and cultural imprint.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The 10th International Student Conference on Dido Sotiriou once again confirmed the deep educational, cultural, and research-oriented character of the institution.\u00a0Warm congratulations are due to Yiannis\u00a0Demirtzoglou, Director of the\u00a0Zografeion\u00a0Lyceum, and\u00a0Aspa\u00a0Chasioti, General Director of the E.\u00a0Mantoulides\u00a0Schools, 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0Dionysis\u00a0Savvopoulos.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Previous\u00a0conferences were dedicated to A.\u00a0Papadiamantis\u00a0(2012), K. P.\u00a0Kavafis\u00a0(2013), G. Seferis (2014), G.\u00a0Vizyinos\u00a0(2015), O. Elytis (2016), G.\u00a0Theotokas\u00a0(2018), A.\u00a0Samarakis\u00a0(2019), Yiannis\u00a0Ritsos\u00a0(2024), and Kiki\u00a0Dimoula\u00a0(2025).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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More information about the International Student Literature Conference can be found at:\u00a0<\/span>www.islic.org<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Conference was broadcast online via:\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.livemedia.gr\/sotiriou26<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n \n<\/svg>picture gallery<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>