WELCOME TO YPERIA !!

YPERIA is an International Meeting for culture and tourism which is successfully organized since 2003 by the Cultural Association of Tholaria Women in Aegiali – Amorgos island in cooperation with Aegialis Hotel & Spa.

Culture and Tourism are two meanings closely influenced by each other. The term “tourism” is used for a big variety of touristic activities and up until recently the Cycladic islands were mostly involved in “mass-tourism”, focusing on low-budget visitors, mainly interested in relaxing holidays and swimming and often limited to the picturesque image of Zorba the Greek, eating moussaka and dancing Sirtaki.
These last years alternative forms of tourism are put on such as ecological tourism, religious tourism, cultural tourism, tourism specialized in local gastronomy but also tourism for physiotherapeutic reasons.
We believe it is important to advertise Greek History and especially the Cycladic civilization often regarded as one of the most prominent and unique.
Our objective is to promote and advertise the cultural background and artistic interest of Amorgos and Cyclades to and through people who worship culturally-rich areas, who respect the environment and who will promote our islands abroad.

For this purpose, YPERIA committee plan every year a wide range of activities in cooperation with the archaeological services and cultural institutions. 
All topics of the conventions are related to Sustainable Tourism, Preservation & Protection of Natural & Cultural Heritage. 
Distinguished people from Greece and countries from around the world are invited for the occasion, mainly journalists interested in Tourism and Travelling, but also local authorities, Political Representatives, Scientists, people from the Theatre and Arts. There will be the opportunity to exchange views and develop contacts to promote the development of sustainable tourism.
There will also be photograph & painting exhibitions, workshops in Greek language and dancing, cooking, wine tasting and evenings of Traditional local Food and Music.

The main topic of YPERIA 2012 was "Cultural Heritage of Amorgos”.
One of most important matters was the candidacy of the 1000 years old  Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa to become one of World’s UNESCO Monuments. 
The “3rd International Short Movie Festival of Amorgos" took place parallel to the convention, in co-operation with the Cinematographic Club of Amorgos.
Once again, the convention was a success and brought people from many countries (Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden)

YPERIA thanks all the participants for their contribution and interest.

 

Irene Giannakopoulos

President of Woman’s Cultural Association of Tholaria –Aegiali – Amorgos