Cosmopolis International Festival was first held in 2000 and from 2002 to 2009 it is an annual reference point in the cultural life of the city of Kavala and the wider region.
Due to the fact that each Cosmopolis Festival should not be a reproduction of the previous one, an attempt was made to avoid either forming a certain pattern or any kind of limitations regarding artistic campaigns. So, Cosmopolis, instead of a mere selection of events, decided to emphasize on a thorough presentation of cultures.
Culture is not only music and dance. It is, mainly, people and every kind of their activity. More specifically, their folk art, foods and, most importantly, their thoughts and creations being expressed in artistic devices. Differences in colors, words, sounds, movements, really elevate our soul. Such differences should not belong to a part of a museum, but to stay alive and act as a signal of their culture.
Ignoring cultural identities does not mean that we bring cultures together, thus contributing to the end of disputes, even to the end of wars. Instead, we end up undermining thought and creation. We do not need to be similar with other cultures; only to understand that we are different from others in terms of cultural affairs and to consider the importance of it. This could be even a way to put an end to wars. That is what Cosmopolis Festival tries to do. It creates a multicultural spirit and promotes cultural differences, aiming to act positively in order to strengthen the bonds between cultures. It is a celebration. Like those celebrations when easygoing people were dancing, having no concern of who was next to them. No matter in which race one belonged. You just were a human being among other ones.
The International Festival Cosmopolis* first took place in 2000. Due to the fact that each Cosmopolis Festival should not be a reproduction of the previous one, an attempt was made to avoid either forming a certain pattern or any kind of limitations regarding artistic campaigns. So, Cosmopolis, instead of a mere selection of events, decided to emphasize on a thorough presentation of cultures. Culture is not only music and dance. It is, mainly, people and every kind of their activity. More specifically, their folk art, foods and, most importantly, their thoughts and creations being expressed in artistic devices. Differences in colors, words, sounds, movements, really elevate our soul. Such differences should not belong to a part of a museum, but to stay alive and act as a signal of their culture.
CosmoConcerts
The world’s different types of music, echo in the old city, the castle and the old customhouse, providing a universal rhythm to the thousands of visitors. At every event we try to approach bands which have never appeared in Greece before, or haven’t in a while appeared in the country, for an exclusive appearance at our festival. Musicians like Orchesta Aragon, Rachid Taha, Third World, Mory Kante, Gypsy Kings, Mahotella Queens, Radio Tarifa and others have honored us with their presence at Cosmopolis.
CosmoDances
Dance is an ancient and primordial way for humans to express themselves. It’s an interactive language which does not require knowledge and expertise. It’s understandable by people of all ages and has the ability to convey very important messages with very simple movements. At every Cosmopolis we host cultural groups from all around the world and one that represent a Greek city. This way we give the opportunity and space to other cultures, very different from ours, to express themselves. The square of Muhammad Ali is the space in which the stage is set every night as well as the starting place for all the festival’s events.
CosmoTastes
Food culture is a major part of every civilization. It reveals its origins. The ingredients, the flavors and the techniques are all connected to the climate, the morphology and the essence of every area. These elements influence greatly the formulation of each civilization. An outdoor ethnic restaurant is set at Mohammad Ali’s square in which chefs from Greece and guest countries create traditional and distinctive dishes every day.
CosmoEvents
The colors are flooding Theodore Poulidou Street. The aromas overwhelm you, the voices and smiles accompany you in your journey through the world. You can visit this multicolored bazaar in which you’ll have the chance to admire or buy folk art and traditional products that the representatives of the countries that are participating in the festival have brought.
CosmoKids
Cosmopolis Kids is a major and important part of this event. It’s the yeast that will nourish the next generations. The involvement of children in multicultural events makes them partakers in otherness, equality and the magic which is human nature.
A selected series of events are responsible for the constructive entertainment and edification of our little friends. Children’s movies, shows, games from guest countries and workshops are set is certain spots throughout town.
