Mytilene Peace Festival promotes Aegean cooperation

The 2nd International Mytilene Peace Festival was held from September 1 to 6, organized by the Aegean Peace and Communication Association and Siniparxi. The event brought together local officials, journalists, academics, artists, and peace advocates to promote solidarity, brotherhood, and coexistence across the Aegean.

During the festival, a meeting titled ‘Peace–Coexistence–Local Governments’ took place at the Mytilene Chamber of Commerce on September 4. Participants included Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, Mytilene Mayor Panagiotis Christofas, Gömeç Mayor Melih Bağcı, and former Bergama Mayor Mehmet Gönenç.

Speakers emphasized that friendship between the two shores should be strengthened through concrete actions by local governments rather than just rhetoric. Mayor Doukas noted that while cities cannot replace national governments, they can build relationships of trust between societies. The festival included various activities such as talks, film screenings, photo exhibitions, and concerts aimed at opposing war, racism, and discrimination.