21–23 November 2025
Another Bread Festival—the 21st in the series—has been successfully completed, leaving behind the scent of tradition, creativity, and shared joy. Dedicated to bread—the most essential staple of everyday life—and to traditional baked goods, this year’s event also honored the great feast of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary (Panagia Mesosporitissa), linking the custom to the cycle of sowing and the blessing of the land.
The Bread Festival has πλέον become an institution for Amfikleia. It began in 1984 by the Folklore Dance Association of Amfikleia “Dadiotiki Estia” and, four decades later, remains a steady cultural event for the region, marked by continuity, evolution, and deep respect for local history and tradition.
The addition of parallel events—a book presentation, a presentation of traditional preventa embroidery, and creative activities for children—gave this year’s festival a multidimensional character, attracting people of different ages and interests. The 21st edition confirms that tradition is not static; it can evolve and remain alive.
A special honor was the presence of Aikaterini Polymerou-Kamilaki, a distinguished folklorist and Emeritus Researcher at the Centre for Research of Greek Folklore of the Academy of Athens, whose academic contribution enhanced the prestige of the event.
We were also honored by the presence of His Eminence Symeon, Metropolitan of Fthiotis, who visited the exhibition and offered words of love and blessing to the organizers, participants, and visitors. Also present were the Deputy Regional Governor of Fthiotis, Mr. Ilias Sanidas, and Regional Councilor Mr. Apostolos Angelakopoulos.
Among those attending the opening were Members of Parliament Mr. Ioannis Oikonomou, Mr. Ioannis Sarakiotis, and Mr. Christos Staikouras, whose presence recognized the cultural, social, and developmental role that the Bread Festival plays for Amfikleia and the wider region of Fthiotis.
In the aftermath of the event, we feel the need to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to its success.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Ms. Dimitra Athanasakou for coordinating the presentation, as well as to siblings Nasia and Nikos Velentzas for the musical accompaniment of the event.
We also thank author Ms. Penelope Panopoulou-Tzioni for presenting her cookbook, through which the audience was taken on a delightful journey of flavors, creating a beautiful bridge between contemporary creativity and tradition.
Our thanks go to the Municipality of Amfikleia–Elateia for co-organizing the event, to the Local Community of Amfikleia, and to the municipal staff for their valuable support.
We thank Loulis Mills and Dakos Mills for their generous flour sponsorship.
We are grateful to Ms. Mary Seferli-Koutseri for her feature in the travel magazine “Epathlo”, which sensitively highlighted the traditions and beauty of Amfikleia.
We warmly thank the women of our community for the rich, lovingly prepared baked goods they offered, keeping alive the flavors and memories of our ancestors.
We also thank Ms. Alexandra Kaliakouda and Theodora Kaliakouda, Maria Sfetsa-Manta, Eleftheria Avgerinou, and Panagiota Strotou for their excellent presentation of preventa embroidery.
Special thanks go to educator Ms. Gogo Katopi for engaging our young visitors in creative activities, where they kneaded, played, and enjoyed themselves with enthusiasm.
Particular thanks are extended to the Association’s friend, Mr. Evangelos Mavrianos, who, with artistic sensitivity, painted the wooden objects displayed in the exhibition space on a voluntary basis, adding a unique aesthetic touch to the event.
We also thank the friends and supporters of our Association who worked on setting up the exhibition, as well as everyone who offered their time, effort, and dedication to make the Bread Festival a success.
Above all, we warmly thank all of you who honored us with your presence.
Your participation keeps tradition alive and gives us the strength to continue.
Folklore Dance Association of Amfikleia
“Dadiotiki Estia”
