Useful Information

In-Person Biennale "Arts & Edges" 2027

Travelling to Mytilene, Lesvos island, Greece

May 28–30, 2027

Venue & Campus

University of the Aegean — Mytilene Campus

The In-Person Biennale Arts & Edges 2027 will be hosted at the University of the Aegean, one of Greece’s leading research universities with campuses on multiple Aegean islands.

The Mytilene campus — the university’s administrative and academic heart — is located on University Hill, a short distance from the centre of Mytilene, overlooking the city and the sea. It brings together Schools of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Environmental Sciences, making it a natural setting for the interdisciplinary dialogue at the core of the Biennale’s Arts & Edges theme.

Address: Administration Building, University Hill, 81100 Mytilene, Lesvos, Greece

+30 22510 36093–5   erua-eui@aegean.gr

Event Spaces

Sessions will take place in lecture halls and seminar rooms on the Mytilene campus. Specific rooms and room assignments for each session will be confirmed and published closer to the event.

Room assignments and a detailed campus map will be published here when the programme is finalised.

Getting to the Campus

The campus is approximately 4 km from Mytilene city centre and about 12 km from Mytilene International Airport “Odysseas Elytis” (MJT).

  • Taxi from city centre: approx. €6–8, ~10 min.
  • Taxi from airport: approx. €15, ~12–15 min.
  • Public bus: Local buses connect Mytilene city centre (“Sappho Square”) to the campus. Check astika-mitilinis.gr for up-to-date schedules.

Event shuttle bus arrangements will be announced when the programme is confirmed. See the Travel to Mytilene section below for full arrival information.


Interactive Map

Accommodation options, the University of the Aegean campus, and key locations in Mytilene, Lesvos.

Interactive Map

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What is on this map?
  • University of the Aegean — Mytilene campus (event venue)
  • Partner hotels and accommodation options with ERUA rates
  • Key locations in Mytilene city centre (port, Sappho Square, airport)

Accommodation

To facilitate your stay in Lesvos, special rates will be available for Biennale participants through a selected network of partner hotels in Mytilene. Information on participating hotels and reservation arrangements will be communicated as we approach the Biennale.


Getting to Mytilene, Lesvos

By Plane

Mytilene is served by Mytilene International Airport “Odysseas Elytis” (MJT), located approximately 8 km from the city centre.

Regular daily flights from Athens and Thessaloniki are operated by Aegean Airlines and Sky Express. Athens flights take approximately 50 minutes. Seasonal direct connections from other European cities are also available during summer.

  • Taxi from airport to city centre: approx. €15, ~11 min.
  • Public bus from airport to city centre: €2, departs from outside arrivals.

By Ferry

Ferries to Mytilene port depart from Piraeus (Athens port), Thessaloniki, and Kavala (northern Greece).

  • From Piraeus: typically 11–13 hours (often overnight — evening departure, early-morning arrival). Cabin berths available.
  • From Thessaloniki / Kavala: 9–11 hours depending on intermediate stops.

Ferry schedules for May 2027 will be published by operators in early 2027. Current timetables are available at Hellenic Seaways.


Getting Around Mytilene

  • Taxi: Readily available; city-centre to campus ~€6–8 (~10 min.).
  • Public bus: Local buses connect “Sappho Square” (city centre) with the UAegean campus and the airport for under €2. Schedules at astika-mitilinis.gr.
  • Event shuttle bus: Shuttle arrangements for Biennale participants will be announced with the programme.
  • Car rental: Recommended if you plan to explore the island beyond the conference days. Options include Lesvos Car Rental.

Discovering Lesvos

Lesvos is the third-largest Greek island — a lush and historic island with olive groves, forested hills, coastal villages, and geological wonders. It is known as the birthplace of the ancient poet Sappho, for its ouzo tradition, and for the Petrified Forest (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

May is an ideal time to visit: the weather is warm and pleasant, the countryside is in bloom, and the tourist crowds of summer have not yet arrived. We encourage participants to arrive a day early or extend their stay to experience the island.

Discovering Lesvos

Lesvos is a lush and historic island with olive groves, forested hills, coastal villages, and geological wonders. As the third-largest Greek island, it is known for being the birthplace of ancient poet Sappho, the ouzo tradition, and the Petrified Forest (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

The Biennale programme has been designed to allow flexibility for exploration. Participants are encouraged to arrive early or stay after the event to make the most of their visit to Lesvos — whether for cultural exploration, relaxation, or island adventures!

Have a look, get inspired, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information to make your visit unforgettable!


Banking & Payments

ATMs

Several ATMs are available in Mytilene city centre and one at the University of the Aegean campus.

For visitors outside the Eurozone:

Withdraw cash only if necessary, preferably from National Bank of Greece ATMs. Always choose the “no currency conversion” option to avoid additional fees.

Cards

Visa, MasterCard, and most major credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. The official currency is the Euro (€).


Emergency Contacts


Additional Tips

  • Wi-Fi is available at most hotels, cafes, and restaurants. The Eduroam network is accessible at the University of the Aegean campus using your institutional credentials.
  • In late May, temperatures in Mytilene typically range from 18–27 °C. Light clothing with a layer for evenings is recommended.
  • Average price for a local meal including beverages, per person: €12–25. Lesvos is famous for its ouzo, sardines, and olive oil.
  • Tap water is safe to drink throughout Lesvos and is often offered free of charge in cafes and restaurants.
  • Greece country code: +30. Lesvos landlines: +30 2251 xxxxxx.
  • Electric plugs: Type C (Europlug) or Type F (Schuko), 220–230 V, 50 Hz. Standard European plugs work throughout Greece.

Frequently Asked Questions

This information is subject to updates. Please check this page regularly for the most current information.

What is the ERUA In-Person Biennale “Arts & Edges” 2027?

The ERUA In-Person Biennale “Arts & Edges” 2027 is an academic and creative event taking place on May 28–30, 2027, at the University of the Aegean in Mytilene, Lesvos, Greece. It creates a space for interdisciplinary dialogue, creative exchange, and in-person collaboration between the academic community, local communities, and social actors around the central theme of Arts & Edges.

Who can participate in the Biennale?

The call is addressed to academics (faculty members, post-doctoral researchers, doctoral students, postgraduate students) from ERUA member and associate member institutions, researchers and artists collaborating with these institutions, as well as local organisations from ERUA Alliance regions active in the relevant field.

What are the key dates for the Biennale?

The In-Person Biennale will take place on May 28–30, 2027. Submission deadlines and other key dates will be published when the Call for Papers opens. See the Pre-call page for the current timeline.

Do I need to register to attend?

Registration details will be provided when the Call for Papers and programme are confirmed.

Will I receive a certificate for attending?

Yes. After the Biennale concludes, digital certificates of attendance and participation will be sent to registered participants within a reasonable period of time.

If my proposal is accepted, do I need to submit a full presentation paper?

No, a full paper is not required for the in-person presentation. However, Proceedings will be published following the event. Guidelines and requirements for the Proceedings will be published on the Proceedings page in due course.

What is the connection to the 2025 Online Biennale?

The In-Person Biennale 2027 is the continuation of the academic dialogue initiated during the Online Biennale 2025. It builds on the same thematic framework of Arts & Edges, bringing the community together in-person at the University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Lesvos.

Where can I find detailed information about abstract submissions?

Complete information about abstract requirements, the submission process, and evaluation criteria will be available in the Call for Papers when it opens. In the meantime, see the Pre-call page for confirmed details and the expected timeline.

Do I need to submit a full paper along with my abstract?

No. Only an abstract is required for the submission process. Full paper submissions are not required for presentation at the Biennale. Proceedings will be published separately after the event, with their own guidelines.

How long should my presentation be?

Standard presentations are allocated 20 minutes including Q&A. Keynote speakers have 1 hour including Q&A. Specific timing will be confirmed in the programme and in your speaker briefing closer to the event.

Do I need to use a specific template for my presentation?

No, you are not required to use a specific template. We recommend keeping your slides visually engaging and not overcrowded with text. Event logo assets for optional use in presentations will be made available closer to the event.

What technical equipment will be available in the rooms?

Room equipment details (projectors, screens, microphones) will be confirmed and published with the programme. Presenters requiring specific technical setup should contact the organising team in advance.

Will there be a rehearsal or briefing before the event?

Arrangements for speaker briefings and rehearsals will be communicated to accepted speakers as the event approaches.

What data will be collected during the event?
  • Registration data: Names and email addresses from registration will be stored.
  • Photography / video: Sessions may be photographed or recorded for archival and publication purposes. Participants will be informed in advance.
  • Participant data: Submitted abstracts and author information will be stored for academic archival purposes.
Your Rights Under GDPR

Your Rights:

  • Access: Request copies of your personal data
  • Rectification: Correct inaccurate personal information
  • Erasure: Request deletion of your data (subject to legitimate academic interests)
  • Portability: Receive your data in a structured format
  • Objection: Object to processing for specific purposes
General Contact

For all enquiries regarding the In-Person Biennale 2027, please visit the Contact page.

Event Leadership

Scientific Committee Chair: Prof. Elena Theodoropoulou

Event Framework: ERUA’s WP5, “Achieving Social Change in ERUA’s Local Communities and Regions”

Knowledge Communities

Creative & Interregional Knowledge Communities (CIKCs) — ERUA WP5

Knowledge Communities are ERUA core collaborative spaces that bring together students, academics, early-career researchers, regional authorities, civic actors, and societal partners to address shared challenges through structured dialogue and co-creation. The Biennale is a flagship activity of the Creative & Artistic Engagement Knowledge Community (CIKC3), fostering intercultural dialogue, artistic experimentation, and societal change across the ERUA alliance.

Sustainability & Regional Development

Linking SDG-based knowledge with regional transformation and green transition agendas. Connects academic expertise with place-based innovation, positioning regions as living laboratories for sustainable development and interregional cooperation.

Social Innovation & Civic Engagement

Fostering democratic participation, inclusion, and community-based solutions. Brings together universities and civic actors to address coexistence, governance, and social cohesion — from structured dialogue to community-based pilots across ERUA regions.

Creative & Artistic Engagement

Bridging arts and sciences to stimulate intercultural dialogue and creative experimentation. Recognises creativity as a method of knowledge production and societal change, building on the momentum of the ERUA Arts & Edges Biennale and cross-partner artistic initiatives.

ERUA (European Reform University Alliance) is an alliance of European universities committed to reform and innovation in higher education. The alliance focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration, social engagement, and creating dynamic partnerships between academic institutions, local communities, and external stakeholders to address complex social challenges.

European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) logo

ERUA

European Reform University Alliance

The University of the Aegean is a multi-campus public university in Greece, established in 1984. With campuses across several Greek islands including Rhodes, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Syros, and Lemnos, it offers a unique educational environment that combines academic excellence with the distinctive character of insular Greece. The university is known for its innovative programs and strong connections to local communities and regional development.

University of the Aegean logo

University of the Aegean

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