The Arakleia Festival: A Celebration of Community and the Environment

The Moraitis Family of Anoghi, in collaboration with their sponsors—including the Ithaki Council—have launched the Arakleia Festival to highlight the vital importance of caring for our environment.

The festival opened with a powerful dramatic reading beneath the towering monolith of Arakli, located at the lower edge of the village on the road to the heliport. The performance poignantly connected the experiences of Greek refugees from Asia Minor in the early 20th century with those of modern-day refugees, drawing parallels not only between them, but also with all of us—reminding the audience of our shared humanity. The setting, under the imposing presence of Arakli, added depth and emotion to an already moving presentation.

On the second day, a community marathon brought people of all ages together. Children ran a 2 km route while adults tackled a 6 km course from Anoghi Square to the historic Kathara Monastery and back. The evening concluded with a joyful awards ceremony for all participants, along with coffee and homemade cakes generously provided by the organizers and local volunteers.

May 31st 2025 marked the debut of the Arakleia Festival—an inspiring event that the Anoghi community hopes will become a cherished tradition for years to come.

Back to Ithaca Summer Specials 2025

Back to Ithaca Summer Specials 2025
(C) 2025 ithacagreece.com