PRESS RELEASE
 

For the second year

AN INCLUSIVE CHOIR IS BEING ESTABLISHED IN KARDITSA,

FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AND WITHOUT VISION IMPAIRMENTS

FROM THESSALY AND GREECE

Following the successful operation last year of the Mixed Inclusive Choir based in Karditsa, comprising choristers from across Greece, both with and without vision impairments, the Panhellenic Federation of Choirs and Choir Directors is moving forward for a second year with the creation of an Inclusive Choir. This initiative, led by Nikos Efthymiadis, former Director of the Chronic Diseases Hospital of Trikala and President of the "Friends of the Chronic Diseases Hospital of Trikala" Association, is based in Trikala.

The Choir's remarkable success in its first year guarantees another successful year of operation. Choristers, whether sighted or with visual impairments, are invited to contact the Panhellenic Federation of Choirs and Choir Directors and its President, Mr. Nikos Efthymiadis, to participate. The initiative is supported by collaborations with cultural entities involved in choral singing both in Greece and internationally.

Specifically, the Panhellenic Federation of Choirs and Choir Directors from Thessaly and Greece, in collaboration with organizations from Europe (Vue d'Ensemble from Strasbourg, France, and Syri Blu from Tirana, Albania, participating in the "Visually Inclusive Choirs – VIC" program), invites choristers—sighted and with visual impairments—who are either currently singing in a choir or wish to take a more active role in this musical genre for the first time in Greece, to apply by February 29, 2024. Auditions will take place on March 2nd and 3rd, 2024, at the premises of the Panhellenic Federation of Choirs and Choir Directors. Nikos Efthymiadis will select a total of 8 choristers—4 sighted and 4 with visual impairments—following an audition session.

The VIC program aims to promote collaboration among cultural structures involved in choral singing. Participants from Greece, Albania, and France—both sighted and with visual impairments—will exchange singing and conducting techniques, choir programs, and will participate in concerts and choir festivals and events.

The first gathering of all participants is scheduled in Strasbourg from June 1st to 5th, 2024, the second in Karditsa from September 4th to 8th, 2024, and the third in Tirana from October 10th to 14th, 2024.

Interested participants aged up to 55 from Thessaly and Greece can submit their applications or contact via email:

nke@otenet.gr, nikosefthimiadis22@gmail.com

For informational material and updates in English, Albanian, French, and Greek, please visit the following websites:

http://www.syriblu.com/

https://www.vue-densemble.com/

http://festivalofkarditsa.blogspot.com/

For inquiries and participation declarations, individuals from Karditsa, Thessaly, and all Greece may contact the Secretariat of the Panhellenic Federation of Choirs and Choir Directors and the Karditsa phone numbers: 2441075440, 2441021970, and emails: nke@otenet.gr, nikosefthimiadis22@gmail.com, and the mobile phone of President Nikos Efthymiadis: +30 6944442532.