The International Student Literature Conference was once again successfully held this year at Zografeio Lyceum. The Conference is organized with the support of the Great Community of Stavrodromi and has now become an important institution for the student community.

For four days, the heart of Pera in Istanbul was filled with students who arrived from Greece and even from distant Congo to participate in the Conference. In total, approximately 400 participants—students and members of the Scientific Committee—took part in its proceedings.

The opening ceremony took place on Wednesday, March 11, at the Grand Pera hall, featuring a concert by the beloved artist Giannis Kotsiras. Prior to the concert, welcome addresses were delivered by the main organizers of the Conference, Mr. Giannis Demirtzoglou, Director of Zografeio Lyceum, and Ms. Aspasia Chasioti, General Director of Mandoulides Schools Dukes Education, who have been successfully organizing the Conference for ten consecutive years.

Also addressing the audience was the President of the Great Community of Stavrodromi, Mr. Giorgos Papaliaris, who expressed the Community’s unwavering support for the Conference, emphasizing that it offers a unique opportunity for so many young people to gather in Istanbul and realize that Romiosyni continues to remain present in its historic homeland.

The evening continued with the concert of Giannis Kotsiras, whose voice and stage presence captivated audiences of all ages.

The following day, all participants gathered at Zografeio Lyceum to attend performances prepared by the students, inspired by the works of Dido Sotiriou, and to take part in discussions with writers, journalists, and artists who had been specially invited for the occasion. The day concluded with a unique performance combining speech, music, and imagery, featuring actor Renos Haralambidis.

On Friday, participants visited Hagia Sophia and then attended the Third Stasis of the Salutations at the historic Monastery of Panagia of Blachernae, where, according to tradition, the Akathist Hymn was first chanted approximately 1,400 years ago. The day concluded with a discussion held at the Galata School.

On the final day, participants visited Halki, where at the Theological School of Halki they took part in Conference sessions. In the evening, they gathered in Mega Revma, where the theme of the next Conference was announced, dedicated to Dionysis Savvopoulos. The event concluded with a festive gathering of all participants, organized with the care of the Community of Mega Revma.

The Great Community of Stavrodromi expresses its warmest thanks to the driving force behind the Conference, Ms. Aspasia Chasioti and Mr. Giannis Demirtzoglou, whose dedication, creativity, and constant presence give life to the International Student Literature Conference each year.

We also thank everyone who participated in the organization and contributed to the flawless execution of the Conference.

We wish that the next Conference, dedicated to Dionysis Savvopoulos, will be held with the same success and will give us the opportunity to meet once again in Istanbul.