The Cultural Association “Elia Lesvos Island Lesvos” organizes the 2nd Elia Lesvos Confest “Olive Oil and Health” from 23 to 26 May 2024, at the emblematic Vrana Oil Mill – Museum in Pappados Gera, one of the oldest olive mills of Lesvos, which belonged to the family of the Nobel Prize-winning poet Odysseus Elytis.

Having laid the foundations of a high quality event with the 1st Elia Lesvos Confest, which deservedly placed Lesvos of Sappho and Elytis at the centre of major international conferences on olive oil and marked the beginning of a new era for the olive tree, both in Greece and worldwide, the Cultural Association “Elias Island of Lesvos” aims this year to further strengthen the international footprint of the island, with a richer thematic range and an even more extensive list of prestigious speakers from around the world. The basic principles that make up the structure of the action are: Locality, Internationality, Universality.

With the support of leading universities, such as the American Yale and the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, and the participation of important scientists and businessmen from Greece and abroad, the Conference-Festival, entitled “Olive Oil and Health”, has a twofold objective: on the one hand, the exchange of know-how, practices and experiences about the olive tree and on the other hand, the consolidation of the beneficial properties of extra virgin olive oil for humans and the environment.

The activities of the 2nd ELIA Lesvos Confest will include, among others, talks and workshops in areas such as science (health, healing, nutrition), environment, technology, communication, economy and culture. However, particular emphasis will be placed on olive gastronomy and the exploitation of our country’s high tourist footprint for the benefit of olive oil and vice versa. The focus will be on gastronomy and the ways in which it can become an “ambassador” of olive oil and a “vehicle” for distribution, information and knowledge about it. In this context, the more effective penetration of olive oil in haute cuisine, in the restaurants of distinguished chefs and from there to the kitchens of all of us, is expected to be discussed. For this reason, the conference programme will include for the first time workshops and masterclasses by Greek and internationally renowned chefs.

The Elia Lesvos Confest is multi-thematic and interactive.

The breakfasts and meals on all days of the conference and the activities are inspired by the chefs’ creations with local products and with the support and cooperation of the local women’s cooperatives. In the afternoons, educational experiential excursions will be organized for the participants – visits to places and businesses that develop the island’s economy with activities related to the olive tree, as well as visits to museums and places that highlight the history, cultural heritage and beauty of the place, the local cuisine, its customs and traditions.

The aim is both to create networks of cooperation and to increase the visibility and visitor numbers of the island of Lesvos. The conference has generated a great deal of interest, resulting in the participation of many stakeholders from around the country.

The speeches and activities of Elia Lesvos Confest 2024 with simultaneous interpretation are open to the public with free admission and will be livestreamed. In addition, the creation of specially designed, fully protected and well-equipped covered areas capable of accommodating more than 400 people has been provided for.

The conference will be moderated by Ms. Magda Tsegou journalist and presenter. The organizational support of the action has been undertaken by the specialized company Cleon Conferences and Communications.

The President of the Association “Elaias Island Lesvos” Mrs. Fotini Tirpintiri stated: “The contribution of our association to the culture of the olive tree is of key importance as since its foundation in 2020, it has had a vision of promoting the olive tree as it is inextricably linked to the history, culture and natural beauty of Greece. We invite and expect you all to this unique journey of knowledge and development, at the 2nd Elia Lesvos Confest that will take place from 23 to 26 May in Lesvos in order to meet, exchange ideas and create bonds, because olive oil and olives unite us!