The Andros Women’s Association was founded in 1985 and has since been a vibrant part of Andros’s social and cultural life throughout the year. Its 200 members consist mainly of permanent residents of the Chora area and the surrounding villages. Its many and varied activities aim to inform, entertain, and educate the women of our island.
It is a founding member of the Federation of Women’s Associations of the Cyclades, “The Daughters of the Cyclades,” which began its work during the conference organized by the Andros Women’s Association in 2014. Today, 16 associations from all the Cycladic islands participate in the Federation. Every year, a conference is held on a different island, addressing issues of concern to women (Women’s Entrepreneurship, Women and Tourism, Violence Against Women, Volunteering, etc.).
The Association’s dance troupe was formally established in 1998 and currently has 100 dancers of all ages. It is named CHOREANDROS and is recognized nationwide. Every year, it organizes a Traditional Dance Festival featuring guest groups from all over Greece, and in turn, it travels as a guest to national and international festivals, tourism fairs, and traditional dance workshops, showcasing the authentic traditions of our island through traditional dances and Andros cuisine.
It revives and preserves the island’s ancient customs and traditions. On New Year’s Eve, it sings Andros carols accompanied by traditional instruments throughout the pedestrian street of Chora. It celebrates Klidonas every year with the “silent water” and the bonfires of Agios Ioannis on June 23.