The Carousades Municipal Philharmonic of the North Corfu Municipality celebrated its 45th anniversary with a special concert held on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Holy Church of Saint George in Carousades. The event was filled with music, memories, and emotion, honoring the long-standing journey of an institution that has contributed to musical education, culture, and social cohesion in North Corfu since 1980.
A Journey Through Music and Time
The Holy Church was filled with sounds, sentiment, and reminiscences as the Philharmonic musicians presented a program worthy of its history, taking the audience on a journey through melodies. The warm applause from the public confirmed the deep relationship the Philharmonic has developed with the society of North Corfu over the years.
Distinguished Guests and Honorees
The anniversary concert was attended by several notable figures, including the Mayor of North Corfu, Georgios Mahemaris, and the Municipal Councilors for Culture and Sports, Theodoros Mavronas and Ioannis Kaloudis. Also present were Georgios Badounos, Municipal Councilor for Everyday Life, Athanasios Martinos, Vice President of the Municipal Council, other municipal councilors, community presidents, and presidents and members of the administrative boards of various associations, both current and past, alongside a large crowd.
During the event, honorary awards were presented to individuals who significantly contributed to the Philharmonic’s long-standing journey and development:
- To the founder and first president of the Philharmonic, the late Athanasios Pettas, who with his vision, perseverance, and love for music and the region, laid the foundations of the Philharmonic.
- To the first conductor, Athanasios Katomeris, who played a crucial role in the band’s initial steps and the formation of its musical identity.
- To conductor Georgios Sotiriou, who served the Philharmonic for over two decades, from 1987 to 2014, consistently offering his knowledge, talent, and dedication to the training and guidance of the musicians.
- To conductor Panagiotis Bakolas, who served the Philharmonic from 2015 to 2022, continuing with zeal and creativity the work of the band’s musical evolution.
- To conductor Nikolaos Metallinos, who served as the Philharmonic’s conductor from 2022 to 2024, contributing with his presence to the continuation of its musical journey and public presence.
The honorary commemorative gifts for the late Athanasios Pettas and Athanasios Katomeris were received by close family members.
A Symbolic Conclusion and Future Vision
The anniversary concert concluded with the performance of the march “Konstantinos Theotokis,” a particularly symbolic epilogue to the musical evening. The piece was composed by Spyridon Prosoparis, the conductor of the Corfu Philharmonic Society Band, who offered it as a donation to the Carousades Municipal Philharmonic, enriching its repertoire with a work that connects musical creation with the history and spiritual tradition of the region.
The North Corfu Municipality warmly thanked all contributors to the concert’s success: the conductor of the Carousades Municipal Philharmonic, Fragiskos Kovaio, for his excellent guidance and inspiration to the musicians, the teachers and musicians of the Philharmonic, and the community and associations of Carousades who have supported the Philharmonic’s work throughout the years. The Municipality also expressed gratitude to the audience who honored the evening with their presence, participating with enthusiasm and love in this celebration of music and culture. The Municipality actively supports the Municipal Philharmonics so that their music continues to accompany and inspire future generations.
