From 27 to 31 July 2024, the island of Chios will host a new Local Hubs event as part of the 8th edition of the Chios Music Festival.
The island, which has been a crossroads of cultures and borders for years, will be the heart of the debut of the Local Hubs: an experience that will involve both the local population and refugees living in the island’s camp.
The project will take shape through rap writing, beatmaking and performance workshops, led by two prominent figures from the Greek hip hop scene, Eisvoleas and Billa Qause.
A journey that will explore words, rhythm and relationships: a way to rediscover community, freedom and connection through music.
The aim is to build accessible, community-based music spaces where young artists — often from marginalised or migrant backgrounds — can learn to produce, write, perform and share their voices.
Each Local Hub will be a permanent laboratory of creativity and exchange, where music becomes a political language, an expression of identity and a form of collective healing.
Programme of activities – Chios Local Hubs (27–31 July 2024)
📍 Location: Michaleio Building, University of the Aegean, Chios Island
🎶 Music workshops
- ‘Finding My Topic’ – 27 JulyIntroduction to rap writing: choosing your theme, recognising your voice and building a personal narrative.
- ‘Word Map’ – 28 JulyCollective exploration of language: maps of words, images and sounds to create emotional and political connections.
- “Playing with Words and Rhymes” – 29 JulyFrom words to rhythm: flow, rhyme and improvisation exercises.
- Workshop in the refugee camp – 30 JulyParallel session of writing and music production dedicated to refugees in the Chios camp.
🎤 Final concert “Rolling Rhymes” – 31 July
An event open to the public that brings together the lyrics, backing tracks and performances created in the workshops.
A collective live performance that will unite local artists and camp participants, transforming the stage into a place of encounter and mutual recognition.
A European network for grassroots culture
The Local Hubs have been held and will be held in Italy, Belgium and Spain, with professional training courses, competitions dedicated to female rappers, and European artist residencies that will culminate in a grand final event in 2025.
Soundroutes is a project that crosses borders and differences, but always starts from a simple conviction:
music is political when it gives a voice to those who have never had one.
