Euphrosyne is an academic and cultural retreat that encourages scholarly community on the island of Kea. Close to Athens, but far from the distractions of everyday life, Euphrosyne provides the ideal environment for scholars to exchange ideas in an informal setting. Each year, the topic of the conference is a pre-determined, broad subject that is pertinent to biblical studies.

The Euphrosyne meetings are addressed principally to biblical scholars and graduate students. However, we encourage contributions from classicists, historians, archeologists, architects, artists. A diverse range of participation and input would be mutually nourishing, both to Bible scholars and to those in cognate fields.

The ethos of the conference comes directly from the etymology of εὐφροσύνη –joy, good cheer, celebration, elation– all of which make Euphrosyne a modern symposium.

Why Euphrosyne?
We call our property Phrosoúla’s –a modern Greek nickname, short for Euphrosyne–thus remembering Aglaia’s mother. Having roots on Kea, she was the reason we settled on this island.

Good food and wine will complement the exchange of ideas. Those who are interested can partake in a hands-on, Mediterannean cooking experience led by renowned cookbook author and journalist Aglaia Kremezi.

With hikes and visits to places of archeological interest, boat trips and swimming, participants will experience Aegean life in the environment in which Mediterranean civilizations grew, flourished, declined, transformed: a stimulating break from typical study, and yet an engagement and cultural immersion relevant to biblical studies.

Kea has a long history as an inconspicuous meeting point of peoples and civilizations, away from the usual, trodden path. We aspire to leave a tiny footprint of our own presence by appreciating and preserving things past in a way that can motivate and inspire creatively for the future. Our table is set for you, your glasses waiting to be filled. Your presence is needed to get us going.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Why Kea?

• Kea is just 1 hour by ferry from the port of Lavrion, south of Athens, just a 35-minute traffic free drive from Athens airport. Flying in to Athens airport in the morning or by noon, one can be on Kea in the late afternoon.
• From Lavrion, Sounion is 10 minutes away; Corinth is just over a 1-hour freeway drive. It is a place one can easily get to from Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Cairo, or Rome.
• Not a usual touristic destination, Kea has remained almost unchanged, keeping its ancient landscape intact at places.
• It is hardly ever crowded. A place favored by Athenians who own summer houses here, Kea remains a very safe island without the hordes of tourists one encounters elsewhere.

More about our island.