Santorini is also strongly present with chef Fani Maikantis
With widespread participation and the presence of high-ranking guests, the work of the 2nd International Olive Oil Conference-Festival "Elia Lesvos Confest 2024", which was recently organized by the active Cultural Association "Elias Nisos Lesvos", with the support of leading Universities, such as the American Yale and the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, but also the participation of important scientists and entrepreneurs from Greece and abroad. This year's Conference-Festival, entitled "Olive Oil and Health", had a two-fold objective: on the one hand, the exchange of know-how, practices and experiences around the olive, and on the other hand, the promotion of the beneficial properties of extra virgin olive oil for humans and the environment. on topics such as olive culture, health, sustainability and the environment, gastronomy, economy, olive tourism and various other topics. The Conference was an "ode" to the olive tree and as its venue was chosen, not by chance, the Vrana Museum-Olive Mill, in Papados Geras, one of the most closely connected villages of Lesbos with olive production, it gathered - apart from top scientists and entrepreneurs, industry experts, producers, distinguished chefs and olive oil lovers from all over the world, in order to exchange knowledge, experiences and innovative ideas.
This extremely successful Conference has now not only deservedly, but also unshakably established Lesbos at the center of major, international Conferences dealing with olive oil, strengthening its international footprint and, at the same time, marking the beginning of a new era for the Olive, both in Greece as well as worldwide. The Conference combined, in the right proportions, scientific research and knowledge, with appropriate commercial practices, effective communication, oleo-gastronomy, interactive experiences and practical information for the sector. It is worth mentioning that the participation of young people, who are active in the industry with vision and passion, spread to all participants a note of optimism regarding the future of Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
During the opening event, the greetings of the dignitaries of the Conference were addressed to the large audience, with the first being that of its host, former Minister Nikos Sifunakis, whose signature bears many targeted rescues of emblematic buildings of the island, such as that of the Vranas Olive Mill .
The opening of the Conference was also welcomed by: the Minister of Rural Development and Food Lefteris Avgenakis, the Mayor of Mytilene Panagiotis Christofas, Charalambos Athanasiou, Second Vice-President of the Hellenic Parliament and Member of Parliament of Lesvos with the National Democratic Party, Nikolaos Thomaidis, Professor of Analytical Chemistry EKPA and Nikos Zouros, Professor of the University of the Aegean and Director of the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest.
During the Conference, in which more than 40 distinguished speakers from Greece and abroad participated, the special importance of olive oil as a fundamental element of the Mediterranean Diet, as well as its effect on health and well-being, was highlighted. Particular emphasis was placed on the relationship between Olive Tourism and local development, with the presentation of successful examples from Greece and abroad piqued the interest of those who attended. At the 2nd "Elia Lesvos Confest 2024" the participants had the opportunity to enjoy tastings of excellent varieties of olive oil from Lesvos, to watch the performance by distinguished chefs, but also to taste unique recipes with extra virgin olive oil and to be informed about the latest trends and developments in the field of gastronomy. In addition, important issues related to sustainability, organic farming and prospects for exporting olive oil to new markets were discussed.
From the atmospheric dinner at the Tirpidiris house, in Sigri.
The two speakers (left) of the Yachting and Oil Tourism Unit Dimitris Maroulis and Evangelos Ant. Tirpidiris, with Fotini and Antonis Tirpidiris, platinum Sponsors of the Conference - Festival, through their companies.
Family photo of the renowned chefs of Sunday's Masterclasses program, with members of the Women's Attendants' Cooperative and the journalist Katerina Marinaki of Gevsis.
Ο chef Fanis Maikantis while setting up his dish with Kallonis sardine and Agiasos cherries.
main photo: The students of EPAS Mytilini - Department of Culinary Arts, with their teachers.
The 2nd "Elia Lesvos Confest" completed its cycle of work by carrying out the most worthy of attendance and participation - in my humble opinion - part of its program: the high-level Olive Oil & Ouzo Tasting Workshops and the long-awaited Masterclasses with extremely interesting culinary presentations, with the protagonists being the high quality products of Lesbos, with the top, of course, olive oil. I would personally - I say this completely honestly - make the trip from Athens, in order to attend even just this last day of the Conference-Festival and the distinguished chefs Stratis Iosifellis, Vassilis Leonidou, Fani Maikantis, Anna Spanou-Kanakis and Ioannis Tsivourakis, to prove to us with their own amazing examples the fact that olive oil now dominates gastronomy and we must all make use of the experience of these pioneer chefs, so that in an easy and delicious way we can include the precious olive oil and its undeniable benefits in our diet for our health.
The lunches of the Conferences, except for the one on Sunday, were inspired by chef Anna Spanou – Kanaki, with the support and cooperation of the Women's Paracoil Cooperative, who created the uniquely tasty recipes, with professionalism and skill.
The students of EPAS Mytilini - Department of Culinary Arts, with their Professors Dimitra Drosidou, Maria Zeibeki and Panagioti Laskaridis, gave their best by presenting a highly professionally prepared and presented brunch, for all participants in the Conference, on Saturday morning, Tuesday day of the Conference. Some of the cheeses that were offered were prepared by the students of the Department of Dairying - Cheesemaking, with raw material offered by the "Aeolikos" Cheese Factory.
The also extremely interesting program of the parallel events of the Conference included:
- guided tour of the Olive Mill - Vrana Museum, by Nikos Sifunakis,
– guided tour of the historical area of Ladadika, in the heart of the city of Mytilini, with enthusiasm and knowledge from the members of the Social Cooperative Tour Guide Company "Parea @ Lesbos",
– guided tour of the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest,
– visit to the state-of-the-art Sigri Olive Mill and its extensive olive groves, with an in-depth tour by the owner and soul of the entire Sigri Olive Mill project, Antonis Tirpidiris,
– tour of the Protoulis Master Olive Oil Makers Mill, by the young Yiannis Protoulis, co-owner of the company
– an excellent dinner, signed by chef Vivis Souliou, under the moonlight, in the grounds of the impressive residence of the Tirpidiris family, next to the sea and overlooking Sigri,
– finally, dinner at the "Avlonas" tavern, at the exact point where the two "shores" of the gulf of Gera almost touch each other, and at the "Paratairon" snack bar, in Ladadika, in the city of Mytilini.
The Conference closed with the promise of cooperation between important institutions and professionals in the sector, reinforcing the commitment to continuous promotion and promotion of the culture of Elia. The inspiration and soul of the Conference Fotini Tirpidiris, President of the Cultural Association "Elias Island Lesvos", said: "The organization of the "2nd Elia Lesvos Confest" was a unique experience of knowledge, development, communication and unbreakable bonds between us. With empathy and gratitude for the moments that brought us together, we keep in touch to build together the developments we owe until our next meeting."
For this particular Congress, the creation -in the specially cared for surroundings of the Vranas Museum- of specially designed, fully protected and well-equipped external infrastructures, capable of accommodating more than 400 Conferences, offering them impeccable conference-technical facilities, was foreseen.
The photographic coverage of the Conference was undertaken by the renowned photographer Dimitris Talianis and his organizational support was provided by the specialized company Cleon Conferences & Communications. The papers were presented and moderated by the respected journalist & presenter Magda Tsegou.
The Conference was shown, in live and high-quality television live daily broadcast, by the Aeolos TV channel, which was also the Communication Sponsor of the Conference. The translations of the Conference were supported again this year by the company Podium, with interpreters Maria Kunelis and Angelos Kaklamanis.
