Name: The Echo of Hagia Sophia
Start: 2026-04-27T19:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-04-27T21:00:00+01:00
Location: The Hellenic Centre

Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Balino: Reviving the Acoustic Heritage of Hagia Sophia
About this Event

We invite you to a unique presentation dedicated to one of the most moving and symbolic cultural initiatives of recent years: the revival of the historic acoustics of Hagia Sophia. Thanks to the generous support of , the unique acoustic environment of Hagia Sophia has been recreated and permanently installed at the historic Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Balino in Istanbul.

Through pioneering scientific research conducted by Stanford University and its CCRMA (Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics), the precise acoustic fingerprint of Hagia Sophia was captured — its reverberation, resonance, and the extraordinary way sound travelled within the Great Church that hosted Byzantine worship for centuries.

Journalist and author Simeon Soltaridis and educator and author Maria Dimou will guide us through the remarkable journey of this endeavour — from their first encounter with the abandoned and derelict buildings of the historic parish to the ultimate accomplishment: the revival of the historic acoustics of Hagia Sophia.

Speakers:

Simeon Soltaridis

Journalist and author, born in Mega Revma (Arnavutköy), Simeon Soltaridis specializes in analytical journalism focusing on Greek-Turkish relations and minority issues. After returning to his hometown, he assumed the role of the President of the Parish of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Balino, where he has played a key role in supporting this remarkable initiative.

Maria Dimou

Educator and author, Maria Dimou has taught in minority schools in Thrace and Istanbul. Her academic and literary work focuses on the history and contemporary life of the Rum (Greek Orthodox) minority communities. She currently serves as Secretary of the “Revival of the Acoustics of Hagia Sophia” project.

Notes:
*The event will be held in Greek with English translations of the speakers' presentations appearing on the projector behind them.
** Guests are warmly invited to stay for wine and soft drinks after the event.