University of Patras Welcome to UP 2026 festival

The University of Patras is organizing the ‘Welcome to UP 2026’ festival, scheduled to take place from October 6 to 10, 2026. The event is designed to integrate the university with the Western Greece region, including the cities of Patras, Agrinio, and Missolonghi, through various cultural, musical, and educational activities.

A central component of the festival is an international, interdisciplinary conference hosted by the Department of History and Archaeology titled ‘Civil Wars: History, Memory, and Representation’. Held on October 6 at the University of Patras Conference and Cultural Center, the symposium will use the Greek Civil War as a primary case study to examine the historical, political, and social dimensions of global internal conflicts. Discussions will focus on collective memory, trauma, the role of arts and literature in representing conflict, transitional justice, and the relationship between civil war and democracy.

Specific programming includes a free screening of the historical film ‘Kapodistrias’ on October 8, preceded by an awards ceremony for the Student Creative Message Competition. Additionally, from October 7 to 9, the university gymnasium will lead a series of athletic activities at Peace Park on the university campus. This sports program includes demonstrations in basketball, volleyball, and football, as well as interactive games and fitness training. Local sports teams, including Apollon Patras basketball, Aiolos rugby, Hermes archery, and Promitheas Patras, are scheduled to participate, allowing students to explore university athletic facilities and physical education programs.