Cretan lyre and Pontic piper at the folk festival of the Holy Metropolis of Kalamariatranslated

With exceptional splendor and with the cumulative participation of approximately two thousand participants, the now established Folk Festival of the Holy Metropolis of Nea Krini and Kalamaria was held on Thursday, July 2, 2026, in the Old Tobacco Stores, in the Grove of Nea Krini, entitled "Two lyres, one story - Kalamaria meets Crete". With the wishes and blessings of the Most Reverend Metropolitan and Reverend Pastor Mr. Ioustinos, the refugee Kalamaria, a place that embraced thousands of uprooted people and kept the memory, faith and tradition of Hellenism alive, once again opened its arms to meet this time the lavender-born Crete, the island of lavender, hospitality and rich music delivery.

The sounds of the Cretan lyra, with the acclaimed lyre player Giorgos Sfakianakis and his orchestra, combined with the kemendze and the musical tradition of Pontic Hellenism, while the excellent music and dance ensembles of the Dance Club of Thessaloniki, with their perfect artistic presence, presented a rich music and dance program, keeping the enthusiasm of the large audience undiminished and creating a unique atmosphere...