Event Details
Welcome to the Molyvos International Music Festival 2026
From 12 to 19 August 2026, the small and picturesque village of Molyvos in the north of the Greek island of Lesvos becomes the stage for one of Greece's most prestigious chamber music festivals. The medieval castle of Molyvos (also known as Mithymna) serves as the main venue, complemented by concerts at the Castle of Mytilene, the medieval castle of ancient Antissa and the Museum of Industrial Olive Oil Production in Agia Paraskevi. The festival was founded in 2015 by pianist sisters Danae and Kiveli Dörken and takes place for the twelfth time in 2026 under the theme "Eudaimonia" (Bliss), inspired by the Aristotelian idea of a meaningful, virtuous life.
Highlights
- 12th edition under the theme "Eudaimonia" (Bliss)
- Concert "Sophia" on 12 August at the Castle of Mytilene (free entrance)
- Concert "Sophrosyne" on 13 August at the medieval castle of Antissa (free entrance)
- Concert "Equilibrium" on 16 August at the Olive Oil Museum in Agia Paraskevi (free entrance)
- Main concerts from 17 to 19 August
- Free "Molyvos Musical Moments": spontaneous short concerts on the beach, at the harbour and in the village streets
- Artists including Antje Weithaas, Sebastian Manz, Andreas Brantelid and Pascal Schumacher
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Program
Artistic directors Danae and Kiveli Dörken (piano) bring together a changing lineup of internationally acclaimed young talents and established names in classical music every year. Besides the main evening concerts at the castle, the free daytime "Molyvos Musical Moments" take place around the village; short musical interventions in unusual settings such as the beach, a tavern or the narrow village streets, drawing the whole community into the spell of the music. The 2026 lineup includes Antje Weithaas and Clémence de Forceville (violin), Tomoko Akasaka (viola), Benedict Klöckner and Andreas Brantelid (cello), Sebastian Manz (clarinet) and Pascal Schumacher (vibraphone).
Tickets
Concert tickets usually cost between 10 and 25 euros; some of the earlier evening events are free of charge. Online advance sales run through ticketservices.gr, and from early August an advance box office also opens directly in Molyvos. Tickets are additionally available at the venues themselves, where the box office opens one hour before each concert starts.
Visitor Tips
- Lesvos is reached via "Odysseas Elytis" Airport (MJT) near Mytilene; from there, Molyvos is reachable by bus, rental car or taxi.
- Arrive early for the free evening concerts at the Castle of Mytilene and in Antissa, as seating is limited.
- Book accommodation in Molyvos well in advance, as the village fills up quickly during festival week.
- Wander the village during the day too, since the "Musical Moments" often happen spontaneously without a fixed schedule.
- Wear sturdy shoes for the castle concerts, as the access path runs over cobblestones and steps.
