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The 2019 conference may have been titled [Untitled], but that was the first year that its official title became the SNF Conference and the theme expanded beyond philanthropy. Based on the guiding principle that creating positive social change and trying to address seemingly intractable problems require a different approach, innovative thinkers and doers from a wide variety of areas and backgrounds gathered to explore unconventional patterns of thought.

The Conference schedule included discussions on topics such as the environment, borders, failure, faith, women, identity, character, emotions, and the media.

Students meet with Medea and Neneh Cherry with Yorgos Margaritis

The artistic program of Summer Nostos Festival 2019 could easily be the entry next to the definition of the word “multidimensional.” The music that was performed covered the entire spectrum from classical to techno and from indie to country. At the same time, the event was also great for kids, as it not only hosted the Schoolwave Festival, but many activities for children and families.

For yet another year, we engaged both body and mind

As was the case every year, sports had a central role in the Summer Nostos Festival, with the SNF RUN evening race as the main event. In addition, kayaking, climbing, STEAM games, Capoeira, table tennis and many other activities awaited visitors of all ages at the Running Track, Stavros Niarchos Park, and the Canal.

A “Disruptive” Conference.

The 2018 Conference explored one of the most talked about concepts of our time: disruption. It featured almost 80 speakers, including Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, Garry Kasparov, former World Chess Champion, and Nicholas Christakis, Director of the Human Nature Lab at Yale University, who talked about socio-economic changes and pioneering technological developments, and the significant impact they have on our entrenched ways of operating in every area of life, including grantmaking.

SNF Dialogues joins the SNFestival for the very first time!

For the first time, the 2018 SNFestival presented a workshop by SNF Dialogues and the SNF Agora Institute, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University, examining the causes of social and political polarization, and ways they can be addressed. Since then, SNF Dialogues has become an integral part of the festival, raising important issues and examining them through fresh perspectives.

SNFestival, as in “summer”

The Summer Nostos Festival truly embodied the concept of summer and, for the first time, the fun lasted for eight full days in 2018! The event was bigger and stronger than ever before, with the most visitors to date. The festival featured unforgettable music, such as the Stereo Nova reunion concert that drew thousands, dance performances by major artists like Konstantinos Rigos and Fokas Evagelinos, sports events and activities, such as the now well-established SNF RUN, original performances, discussions, games and contemporary art, all combining to create an event that was more popular than any before it.

The Conference is held at the SNFCC for the first time

The 6th SNF Conference on Philanthropy explored Creativity, Imagination, and the Importance of Reactivating Public and Ethical Spaces in a Highly Polarized Society, and, for the first time ever, it was combined with the entertainment events of the Summer Nostos Festival taking place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC).

A collective “return” to all the ideas and experiences and ideas that arrive with the summer

SNFestival 2017 revolved around music (The Cinematic Orchestra, Leonidas Kavakos & Enrico Pace, Charlotte Rampling, Lena Platonos), dance performances, sports (SNF RUN’s third year), open discussions, arts and architecture (a discussion with Renzo Piano on his work, philosophy and inspiration with American architecture critic and New York Times columnist, Michael Kimmelman). The program included more than 75 different events, setting a tone of partnership, exchange of ideas, and experiences.