MUSIC, POETRY & DANCE
3-5 OCTOBER 2025
HYDRA ISLAND GREECE
A COMMUNITY OF INDIVIDUALS DRIVEN BY SHARED PASSION
During ArtCinema Hydra and throughout the year, we see ourselves as creative catalysts - providing the support, resources, and infrastructure to collaborate with artists and creatives on ideas and projects at any stage of development, across all artistic disciplines.
Just as Hydra has long been a haven for international painters, it is equally a refuge for writers, poets, dancers and musicians, both local and global.
The island’s creative legacy includes renowned figures such as Leonard Cohen, Brice Marden, Charmian Clift, George Johnston, Giorgos Seferis, and Henry Miller and we are proud to honour that enduring spirit.
Over the course of the three-day event, we will highlight both Hydra’s unique cultural heritage and the richness of Greek and international artistic voices.
KYRAN DANIEL
AUSTRALIAN GUITARIST, COMPOSER & PRODUCER
Joining us for a special 8-day music residency is ArtCinema Music Patron, Kyran Daniel — guitarist, composer, producer, and musical director. Kyran’s career began on the world stage performing alongside Australian Grammy nominee Tommy Emmanuel. His debut album Per Se became a landmark in the acoustic guitar world, leading to his acceptance into the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where he studied under some of the foremost professors in contemporary songwriting and production.
After Berklee, Kyran built a stellar reputation as a songwriter and producer for leading Australian artists including G Flip, Gretta Ray, and Kingswood. His wide-ranging musical sensibility and exceptional artistry quickly cemented his place among Australia’s most sought-after studio talents.
Now based in Rome, Kyran returns to Hydra for a special residency and to join us over the Uccartes weekend as our honoured guest. A celebrated artist whose work bridges sound, storytelling, and place, Kyran will present a live listening session of his latest album — an intimate performance not to be missed.
ABJAY DEOL
INDIAN ACTOR, PRODUCER & DJ
Acclaimed Indian movie star and producer Abhay Deol is not only bringing his latest film Bun Tikki to ArtCinema Hydra but is also generously acting as a Music Patron — and this time, he’s stepping behind the decks as a DJ. Recently, Abhay surprised fans by taking on the role of DJ at a nightclub in Gurugram, where videos of his laid-back, focused performance quickly went viral. Known for his effortless style both on and off screen.
ALEKOS ROUPAS
GREEK PERCUSSIONIST
Alekos Roupas is an Athens-based percussionist skilled in a wide range of traditional Greek, Mediterranean, Latin, Brazilian, and West African percussion instruments. From a young age, Alekos was immersed in Greek traditional percussion and participated in folk dance festivals while studying drums at the Municipal Conservatory of Ioannina. He graduated from the Philippos Nakas Conservatory’s traditional and modern percussion department, studying under Peter Kourtis.
Alekos has attended masterclasses with renowned artists such as Alex Acuña, Eguie Castrillo, Richie Gajate Garcia, and Misirli Ahmet. He has collaborated with numerous music producers across genres and performed worldwide alongside top musicians, composers, and singers. Notably, he recently worked with Gloria Gaynor in concert in Athens. Alekos is a member of the percussion ensemble Drumvoice and has taught multi-percussion seminars at the Philippos Nakas Conservatory since 2011.
JULIJA CASTELLUCCI
MACEDONIAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE ARTIST
Julija Castellucci returns to ArtCinema as a music patron. The -born conceptual and performance artist travels the globe creating powerful, immersive works. She is currently developing a performance installation for Hydra, inspired by the story that Sophia Loren learned to sing and perform in Greek “Τι είναι αυτό που το λένε αγάπη” (What is this thing called love?) — a moment so captivating that the girls of Hydra famously broke curfew to listen to her rehearse. The song, composed by Greek composer Takis Morakis with Hugo Friedhofer’s Oscar-nominated score, became a cinematic milestone in 1958. Julija, whose recent collaborations include work with Deepak Chopra, will create a site-specific piece on Hydra, blending music, memory, and mythology into an unforgettable experience.
YIANNIS AND PANAGIOTIS GAVALAS
HYDRA MUSICIANS
ArtCinema is honoured to present father and son musicians, Yiannis and Panagiotis Gavalas, whose deep knowledge of Hydra’s traditional music and songs has inspired much of this year’s creativity.
Yiannis Gavalas is a former shipping captain, marine teacher, poet, singer, and musician who has long been a dedicated guardian of Hydra’s musical heritage. He has actively supported traditional music gatherings for many years, including the Almond Festival, where musicians perform Hydra’s cherished traditional songs. Yiannis also fondly remembers Sophia Loren’s arrival on Hydra in 1956 during the filming of Boy on a Dolphin — and he beautifully sings “Τι είναι αυτό που το λένε αγάπη” (What Is This That They Call Love?).
Panagiotis Gavalas, a beloved local pharmacist, is an accomplished bouzouki player who continues the family’s rich musical legacy.
JOHN L. HOLGERSON
POETRY PATRON
John L. Holgerson is a poet and writer from Taunton, Massachusetts, and founder of the Poetry as Verdict project, which gives high school poets a public platform. Since 1995, he has spent a month each year in Hydra, inspired by Leonard Cohen.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame’s poetry and law program, John became a trial and appellate attorney with the Massachusetts Defenders Committee, experiences that inform his novel The Last Defender.
His poetry collection Convictions of the Heart includes a heartfelt tribute to Hydra and reflections on other places and people. John has also published Broken Borders and continues to write and publish poetry.