GREECE

The National Section CIOFF® Greece was officially founded in 1990. Before the official establishment, 5 organizers of International Folklore Festivals in Greece (Ioannina, Karditsa, Naoussa, Katerini, Nea Karvali) made all the necessary contacts with CIOFF® Bodies, for the creation of the association in Greece, in collaboration with other cultural associations and groups in Greece and with the support of Ministries. Also, representatives from Greece participated in CIOFF® World Congresses and thus got all the information and support to establish the National Section.
From the very first year the 5 International Folklore Festivals in Greece were upgraded and joined the CIOFF® network, received the recognitions as CIOFF® International Festivals and were organized according to CIOFF® rules. Over the years, more cultural associations and groups from various cities and regions became members of the National Section and more International Folklore Festivals were added. In 1997 CIOFF® Greece had the honor of organizing the CIOFF® World Congress in Thessaloniki and in the past has hosted Sector's Meetings in Greece. In 2023 the National Section CIOFF® Greece in collaboration with the Ionian University and the Cultural Association of Sinies Corfu and with the support of Ministries and Local Authorities, organized the flagship Festival of the South European Sector, the Festival of Mediterranean Cultures in Corfu, which was organized in support of the 20th anniversary of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention.
In 2013, the Greek CIOFF® Youth Commission was created with youth members in various cities of Greece and with many activities since then.
Today, CIOFF® Greece has many members, cultural associations, dance groups, philharmonic bands, organizations and individuals as artisans, craftsmen, folklore researchers and dance professors and teachers. There are 10 National and International Folklore Festivals within CIOFF® Greece and some others in collaboration. The National Section CIOFF® Greece has signed cooperation agreements with an UNESCO Chair, the Music Heritage Institute and other Organizations. In collaboration with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Sports Department), CIOFF® Greece carried out many activities, conferences and research on Folklore Festivals and their impact on local communities and on the impact of COVID19 on Cultural and Dance Associations in Greece. It is member of the National Network of Living Heritage in Greece. In addition, it has applied to the Ministry of Culture for the recognition of CIOFF® Festivals as "Good Practice" on safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Every year, CIOFF® Greece organizes in a different city, a General Assembly which includes cultural conferences or forums in collaboration with the local authorities, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, the National Committee of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, etc.
The CIOFF® Greece National Section is leaded by a 7-member Board of Directors and has an active Youth Commission.