Sappho Women is a non-profit organisation based in Skala Eressos, Lesvos, Greece.
Our purpose is to support, celebrate and strengthen women through cultural activity, community, collaboration and opportunities for women to share their talents, skills, creativity and experience.
Our work is rooted in the belief that women benefit from spaces, organisations and initiatives in which women themselves are placed at the centre.
Our Mission
Sappho Women exists to encourage the empowerment, independence, solidarity and connection of women, both locally and internationally.
We aim to create opportunities for women to develop and showcase their talents, contribute to cultural and community life, exchange knowledge and experience, and build meaningful connections with one another.
We support collaboration between women, women’s groups, organisations, professionals, artists, facilitators and community initiatives in Greece and abroad.
One of the principal ways in which we fulfil this mission is through the organisation of the International Eressos Women’s Festival.
The International Eressos Women’s Festival
The International Eressos Women’s Festival brings women together in Skala Eressos through music, performance, workshops, talks, outdoor activities, cultural events and shared experiences.
The festival has two closely connected aims: to celebrate and promote the talents, achievements and creativity of women, and to create an environment in which women can meet, participate, connect and enjoy time together.
This focus on women is deliberate and forms an essential part of the festival’s purpose and identity.
Our Roots
The festival has taken place in Skala Eressos since 2000 and is deeply connected to the history and character of the village.
Skala Eressos, birthplace of the ancient poet Sappho, has for decades been an important meeting place for lesbians and women from around the world. The lesbian history and community of the village have played an important role in shaping the festival and remain a significant part of its identity and character.
Sappho Women is, however, a women’s organisation rather than an organisation defined solely by sexual orientation. The festival brings together women of different ages, nationalities, backgrounds, experiences and sexual orientations.
Our Values
Women’s Empowerment
We support the social, cultural, creative and personal empowerment of women and encourage women to develop, share and be recognised for their abilities, knowledge and talents.
Women’s Visibility
Women remain under-represented in many areas of cultural, professional and public life. We aim to create opportunities in which women’s work, ideas, creativity and achievements are visible and valued.
Solidarity & Connection
We believe in the value of women coming together, supporting one another, exchanging knowledge and experience, and building networks and friendships across communities and countries.
Collaboration
We value cooperation with women’s groups, organisations, artists, facilitators, professionals, businesses, community organisations and other partners whose work is compatible with our aims.
Independence
We value the independence of women, women’s organisations and women-led initiatives and aim to create opportunities in which women can lead, organise, create and contribute on their own terms.
Respect & Pluralism
We recognise that women come from different cultures, generations, backgrounds and life experiences and will not always share the same beliefs, opinions or language.
We value pluralism, respectful exchange and the ability to coexist with differences of opinion.
Respect does not require complete agreement, but it does require responsible behaviour, consideration for others and respect for personal boundaries.
Community
Skala Eressos is not simply the location of our festival; it is the community in which Sappho Women is based and with which our work is closely connected.
We aim to maintain positive relationships with local residents, businesses, venues and organisations and to contribute constructively to the social, cultural and economic life of the village.
Creativity & Cultural Exchange
We believe that music, performance, art, education, discussion and shared cultural experiences can create opportunities for women to express themselves, learn from one another and strengthen community.
Participation
Access and eligibility for different parts of the International Eressos Women’s Festival programme are explained separately in our Festival Access & Eligibility Policy.
Keeping these arrangements separate allows this Mission & Values statement to remain focused on why Sappho Women exists and what we aim to achieve.
Our Approach
Sappho Women aims to preserve the distinctive purpose, history and character of the organisation while continuing to learn, evolve and respond thoughtfully to the community around us.
Our aim is not to be everything to everyone. It is to remain true to our purpose: supporting women, celebrating women’s talents, strengthening women’s connections and sustaining the International Eressos Women’s Festival for future generations.
About Sappho Women
The International Eressos Women’s Festival is organised by Sappho Women (AMKE), a non-profit organisation based in Skala Eressos, Lesvos.
To learn more about Sappho Women and our year-round work, please visit www.sapphowomen.org.
Sappho Women is a non-profit organisation based in Skala Eressos, Lesvos, Greece.
Our purpose is to support, celebrate and strengthen women through cultural activity, community, collaboration and opportunities for women to share their talents, skills, creativity and experience.