The Carousades Municipal Philharmonic of the North Corfu Municipality celebrated its 45th anniversary with a special concert on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Holy Church of Saint George in Carousades. The event, filled with music, memories, and emotion, honored the long journey of an institution that has contributed to musical education, culture, and social cohesion in North Corfu since 1980.
A Night of Music and Memories
The Holy Church of Saint George was filled with sounds, emotions, and memories as the Philharmonic’s musicians presented a program worthy of its history, captivating the audience with their melodies. The warm applause from the public reaffirmed the deep connection the Philharmonic has developed with the community of North Corfu over the years.
Distinguished Guests and Tributes
The anniversary concert was attended by several notable figures, including the Mayor of North Corfu, Georgios Mahemaris; the Municipal Councilors for Culture and Sports, Theodoros Mavronas and Ioannis Kaloudis; the Municipal Councilor for Everyday Life, Georgios Bantounos; the Vice President of the Municipal Council, Athanasios Martinos; other municipal councilors; community presidents; and presidents and members of the boards of various associations, both current and past. A large crowd also gathered to witness the celebration.
During the event, honorary awards were presented to individuals who significantly contributed to the Philharmonic’s long-standing journey and evolution:
- To the founder and first president of the Philharmonic, the late Athanasios Pettas, who laid the foundations of the Philharmonic with his vision, perseverance, and love for music and the region.
- To the first conductor, Athanasios Katomeris, who played a crucial role in the band’s early steps and the formation of its musical identity.
- To conductor Georgios Sotiriou, who served the Philharmonic for more than 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 Nikolas 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 Musical Epilogue
The anniversary concert concluded with the performance of the march “Konstantinos Theotokis,” which served as a particularly symbolic epilogue to the musical evening. The work was composed by Spyridon Prosoparis, conductor of the Corfu Philharmonic Society Band, who donated it to the Carousades Municipal Philharmonic, enriching its repertoire with a piece that connects musical creation with the history and spiritual tradition of the region.
The North Corfu Municipality warmly thanked all those who contributed to the success of the concert: 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 its sincere gratitude to the public 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.
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