The cultural association "ORPHEUS"

Orpheus was founded in November 1937 in Lefkada by a group of young people, members of the mandolin band, with the aim of learning traditional musical instruments and the musical education and the intelectual development of the citizens of the island. The first appearance of the mandolin band under the name of the newly established association, took place on 1 January 1938. From its foundation until today it has been accompanied by thousands of young people who have learned and loved music.

The next section created in the same year, as a continuation of the mandolin band, is the Orpheus Chorus, which is one of the most active and dynamic sections of the club. From this chorus have started well-known artists, as the famous mezzo-soprano Agni Baltsa . It has taken part in many festivals and musical events in Greece and abroad. In 2013 the Orpheus children's chorus was founded, which was the first one in Lefkada.

The Orpheus dance group was founded in 1960 with the aim of preserving and teaching traditional dances and songs of the island, the Ionian Islands and the rest of Greece. It was one of the three dance groups that performed at the 1st International Folklore Festival of Lefkada and continues to perform every year. Since 1987 it has also a children's dance group.

The Folklore Museum of Orpheus was founded in 1978 and its collection includes over a thousand exhibits representing the tradition, culture, expression and history of Lefkada.

Orpheus has been in the first line for the establishment of the most important cultural events of the island, such as the Literature and Art Festivals in 1955 and the International Folklore Festival in 1960. Since 1956 it has been organizing every year the celebrations for the anniversary of the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece.

Due to its long-term contribution to the cultural events and the preservation of the cultural heritage of Lefkada, the association was awarded a prize by the Academy of Athens in 1993.