Why We Exist
The International Eressos Women’s Festival is organised by Sappho Women, a non-profit organisation based in Skala Eressos, Lesvos.
Sappho Women was established to bring women together, promote women’s talents, creativity and achievements, strengthen women’s networks and opportunities, support women’s initiatives and organisations, and organise the International Eressos Women’s Festival.
The festival itself was created as a space in which women from Greece and around the world can meet, create, learn, celebrate and connect.
That purpose remains fundamental to the identity of both Sappho Women and the International Eressos Women’s Festival.
Access & Eligibility
Language relating to sex, gender and identity has changed considerably over time and continues to evolve. People may describe their identities and experiences in different ways, and Sappho Women does not seek to define another person’s identity or require people to adopt particular terminology about themselves.
Different parts of the festival programme have different access arrangements, and we therefore need to be clear about who particular activities are intended for.
Our workshops, talks, organised excursions, sports activities and certain other organised activities are intended for women, including trans women, and non-binary people whose identities and lived experiences align with women’s and lesbian communities.
People who identify as men are not eligible to access activities intended for women and non-binary people covered by this policy. This includes transgender men.
Events Open to a Wider Public
Some parts of the festival programme are open to a wider public. These may include selected events at our open-air cinema, parties, lunchtime concerts, early-evening performances and other events taking place in participating venues throughout Skala Eressos.
Where an event is open to the wider public, this will be indicated in the programme or accompanying event information.
Attendance at a public-facing event does not provide access to other festival activities where specific access or eligibility criteria apply.
Individual Activities & Additional Criteria
Some workshops, activities, excursions or events may have additional requirements connected to their purpose, subject matter, age, physical ability, safety, safeguarding, experience level, group size, capacity or venue limitations.
Some activities may involve particularly sensitive subjects, including intimate bodily experiences, reproductive health, sexuality, trauma, abuse, violence or other matters where privacy, safeguarding or sex-specific experience is directly relevant.
In limited circumstances, an individual activity may have additional sex-specific eligibility criteria where these are genuinely connected to the purpose of the activity and where such criteria are lawful, appropriate and proportionate.
Any additional criteria will be established in advance and, wherever reasonably possible, stated clearly in the relevant activity information.
Eligibility for one part of the festival programme does not automatically provide access to every activity.
Professional & Programme Contributors
Some technicians, service providers, venue owners, producers, musicians or other professional contributors may be involved in festival events without themselves being eligible to access other activities where specific eligibility criteria apply.
Professional involvement in an event does not in itself provide access to the wider festival programme.
Children & Young People
The International Eressos Women’s Festival is an adult programme and is not organised as a children’s or family festival.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, workshops, organised activities and excursions are intended for adults.
We do not provide childcare, children’s programming or supervision for minors.
Where an event is open or suitable for children or young people, this will be stated in the programme. Parents and guardians remain responsible for minors in their care.
How We Apply This Policy
Sappho Women does not require people attending festival activities to provide medical information, explain their bodies or disclose transition history.
We ask everyone attending the festival to respect the access conditions applying to individual events and activities.
Where eligibility is unclear or disputed, the matter should be referred to the Festival Office or a designated senior organiser. Festival staff and volunteers are not expected to debate complex questions of identity at the entrance to an event.
Behaviour at the festival is governed separately by our Code of Conduct.
Skala Eressos Is an Open Village
The International Eressos Women’s Festival takes place within the open village of Skala Eressos.
People who are not eligible to access certain festival activities are, of course, welcome to visit the village and enjoy its beach, restaurants, bars, shops, accommodation and other public spaces during the festival period.
This policy applies only to organised festival events and activities operated or controlled by Sappho Women.
Questions About Eligibility
If you are unsure whether this policy applies to you, please contact Sappho Women before purchasing a festival wristband or registering for an activity.
We will aim to answer questions respectfully and consistently.