The XVI edition of the “Musical Encounters of Two Worlds” festival opened successfully in Himara this weekend, launching a unique cultural journey that will celebrate both the ancient Greek lyre and the traditional Albanian lahuta, culminating in Paris this autumn.

The project “The Sound of the Ancient Lyre” began on Saturday, June 6, with a training session titled “A Gateway to the Ancient Art of the Lyre” at the Neço Muko Cultural Hall. Under the guidance of Dr. Nikolaos Xanthoulis and his team, schoolchildren from Himara were introduced to the art of playing the ancient Greek lyre. The session ended with a joint performance by local children and Greek artists.

The main public event took place on Sunday evening, June 7, on Himara’s scenic seaside promenade, where a large crowd gathered for the concert “The Sound of the Ancient Lyre.” The highlight of the evening was a performance by three distinguished Greek artists: Dr. Nikos Xanthoulis, composer, virtuoso of the seven-string ancient lyre, and artistic consultant at the Greek National Opera. He is widely credited with reviving the instrument after 1,600 years of silence, Evangelia Kopsalidou, Sorbonne-educated musicologist, professor, and acclaimed lyrist, Sophia Karakouta, renowned mezzo-soprano specializing in ancient Greek repertoire.

The haunting sounds of the ancient lyre transported the audience back to the world of Greek mythology, where music and poetry were inseparable. Both locals and tourists described the evening as a magical cultural experience.

In opening remarks, Deputy Mayor of Himara Erifili Berberi and Argjiro Association director Ilda Mara highlighted the importance of cultural dialogue and heritage preservation.

This year’s festival is organized by the Argjiro Association in collaboration with the International Lyre Academy (ILS Academy) and the Academy of Sciences of Albania, with the support of Himara Municipality.

According to Ilda Mara, the 2026 edition is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and transmission of two iconic instruments — the ancient Greek lyre and the Albanian lahuta. Following events in Himara and Tirana, the festival will conclude in Paris this fall with a series of activities focused on the Albanian lahuta, featuring prominent rhapsodist Lumturije Nonaj.

The project aims to safeguard cultural heritage, engage younger generations, and build bridges between peoples through music.

The journey of lyra continues on Tuesday, June 9, at 18:30 at the Archaeological Museum in Tirana (Mother Teresa Square), with a special Concert-Lecture titled “From the Lyre of Antiquity to Lyrical Theater” featuring Dr. Nikolaos Xanthoulis.