The Revival of the Delphic Festival at the 10th Delphi Economic Forum

3rd Delphic Festival: A Celebration for Humanity
The world gathers around the World Human Forum’s call to revive the Delphic legacy, 1927–2027
 
“And on that day, the sound of drums and fifes will drown out the sounds of cannons and guns”
 
A full house gathered at the V Hotel Delphi on April 10, 2025, for the unveiling of the initiative to relight the flame of the Delphic Festival, an event that was warmly embraced by the local community. The inspiring endeavor was presented by Maria Efthymiou, Professor Emerita at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; Alexandra Mitsotaki, Executive President and Co-founder of the World Human Forum; Panagiotis Tagalis, Mayor of Delphi; and Kostas Konstantinidis, CEO of PostScriptum. The event was moderated by Christos Carras, Founder and Director of the CCSC. Also present was poet Eleni Sikelianos, the great-granddaughter of Angelos and Eva Sikelianos.

2027 marks the 100th anniversary of the first Delphic Festival – the initiative by Angelos Sikelianos and Eva Palmer that embodied the vision of the Delphic Idea. Their dream was to make Delphi once again a living center of harmony, unity, and cultural renaissance. The World Human Forum initiates and coordinates the re-generation of the Delphic Festival. After all, Delphi was, in 2017, the symbolic and geographical starting point for the creation of the World Human Forum.

“Eight years, three gatherings and following a journey through Delos, Eleusis and Aristotle’s Lyceum, we return to the emblematic land of Apollo, bringing with us the experience and the global network we have built along the way. We aim to bring together diverse forces that break the silos, connect the dots and believe in the value of a global movement for spiritual awakening through art, science, tradition and humanistic values”, stated Alexandra Mitsotaki.

The event was hosted within the framework of the Delphi Economic Forum. The opening remarks were delivered by Symeon G. Tsomokos, Founder and President of the Delphi Economic Forum, who expressed his support for the initiative. Representing Regional Governor Fanis Spanos, Maria-Pagonitsa Aravantinou conveyed the support of the Region of Central Greece.

https://delphi.worldhumanforum.earth/

Watch the panel discussion from the V Hotel at 6:00:00 on Stream 8 here.

Further info
 
A Journey that Starts in Delphi, but Concerns the Whole Planet

The 3rd Delphic Festival aims to bring together initiatives and individuals from around the globe. “Together, we will work towards finding solutions to the great challenges of our time – climate crisis, inequalities, loneliness, and the crisis of democracy –, we will imagine, and try to create a better world. We will plant collective seeds so that a new narrative for humanity may blossom”, highlighted the President of the World Human Forum.

In the anniversary year of 2027, this meta-Delphic Festival will highlight the legacy of Angelos Sikelianos and Eva Palmer with concerts, performances, symposia, workshops, multidisciplinary events and more. The aim is for these events to be held every three years as a triennial dedicated to art, tradition, science, dialogue and inner development.
 
The Delphic Idea: A Vision Rooted in Ancient Wisdom

Poet Angelos Sikelianos and his wife Eva Palmer believed that culture could lead to the moral and spiritual elevation of humanity. The Delphic Idea they articulated is based on the concept of global unity. It proposes a return to a deeper connection with our roots, not as nostalgia for the past, but as a foundation for reimagining the future.

Central to this vision are the Delphic Festivals, organised in 1927 and 1930, which brought together ancient drama, music, sports, dance, public participation, and spiritual exploration.

Paraphrasing Eva Palmer, poet Eleni Sikelianos, reflected “And on that day, the sound of drums and fifes will drown out the sounds of cannons and guns”. She remarked further, “That is very clearly what their mission was here in Delphi. There are forces in the world at this moment waging a war against the imagination, the profoundly creative force within us. So, what do we do? We have the opportunity to take up what Eva and Angelos were doing and continue”.

“While it may seem idealistic, it is a goal worth striving for”, declared Maria Efthymiou, having reviewed historical efforts aimed at resolving conflicts around the world. “The people felt that both the initiative and the tradition belonged to them. I believe we will have no trouble regaining support of the local community. It’s a challenge, but if successful, the rewards will be substantial”, said the renowned historian.
 
The meta-Delphic Festivals as a Driver of Development for the Delphi Region

The initiative was embraced from the very beginning by the Municipality of Delphi. Mayor Panagiotis Tagalis referred to it as a “golden opportunity” to regenerate the Navel of the Earth in the new era, to connect all the forces of the region with a common purpose, and to transform Delphi into a modern city through sustainable and developmental strategies. “Delphi has the potential to become a place of inspiration, dialogue, and cooperation, as well as a driver of development for the entire region, through collaboration and interaction”, he stated.

Kostas Konstantinidis of PostScriptum, a company dedicated to highlighting the developmental potential of culture, emphasized that the Municipality of Delphi provides an ideal setting for the implementation of such an initiative. He highlighted the importance of bringing together diverse forces from the quintuple helix –comprising the public sector, businesses, civil society, and academia– to identify shared goals and achieve them through the integration of science, art, and innovation. Additionally, he stressed that such projects are eligible for funding, as they align with the core principles of the New European Bauhaus.

In a world marked by division, conflict, and crisis, the need for shared values, genuine communication, and the cultivation of the human spirit through art is more urgent than ever. The regeneration of the Delphic Festival as an immersive experience and spiritual proposition seeks to offer meaning, perspective, and hope.