Oscar-winning director to headline Sifnos arts festival

The Greek island of Sifnos is set to become a vibrant hub for arts and culture with the sixth annual Bring Your Chair – Cozy Festival. Running from July 28 to August 28, the festival transforms the Cycladic island into a convergence point for cinema, music, performing arts, and public discourse.

This year's program highlights Polish director Paweł Pawlikowski, acclaimed for his Oscar-winning film 'Ida' and the critically praised 'Cold War.' Pawlikowski will attend Sifnos for a screening of 'Cold War' and engage in a conversation with the audience.

The cinematic offerings also include the first nationwide screening of Giuseppe Carrieri's documentary 'La Quinta Stagione.' This film explores contemporary Italian gastronomy through the stories of five distinguished female chefs. Following the screening, Carrieri and Michelin-starred chef Cristina Bowerman will discuss their work, with the evening concluding with a culinary experience inspired by Sifnian cuisine.

Beyond film, the festival features a diverse lineup of performances. Singer-songwriter Nadi Calla will present her second album, 'DANCEROOM,' while trumpeter and composer Andreas Polyzogopoulos will debut his new work, 'Hawk Tales,' at the Mycenaean Acropolis of Agios Andreas during the August full moon.

Other events include a performance titled 'Sideros' by Nikola Lakiotakis, drawing inspiration from the Cyclades' mining history. The 'By the Book' segment will focus on Space, featuring Manolis Rammos, president of the Hellenic Space Center. A special evening will celebrate Sifnian pottery, exploring the island's long-standing relationship with ceramics through discussions and documentary screenings.

Additionally, an art exhibition, 'Botanical Relics: chapter II' by Alexia Psaradeli, will be on display from July 31 to August 7. The exhibition delves into the memory of plants and their connection to space, using organic and local materials like Sifnian stone to evoke a sense of 'slow time' and 'natural intelligence' as a counterpoint to contemporary technological narratives.

All festival events are free to attend, making the arts and cultural dialogue accessible to a wide audience.