The scientific and institutional opening of Mountain Games Cyprus 2026 brings together an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional field of dialogue among scientists, policymakers, health bodies, sports organisations, universities, European organisations and representatives of civil society. The Symposium connects public health and prevention with exercise, nutrition and healthy ageing, as well as inclusion and equality with the natural environment, climate resilience and the sustainable development of mountain communities. It culminates in the Policy Forum and the Closing Ceremony, at which the scientific and policy conclusions and the Troodos Declaration 2026 are presented.

Under the auspices of the Minister of Health

Schedule

08:30–09:15 / Arrival and registration

09:15–09:50 / Opening Ceremony of Mountain Games Cyprus 2026 · MC: Andreas Fylaktou · Michalis Papadopoulos · Kalli Hadjiiosif, Be Active Europe · Joseph (Joep) Naber · Neophytos Charalambides, Minister of Health

09:50–10:00 / Introductory remarks – Professor Ioannis Fatouros, Chair of the Scientific Committee

10:00–10:20 / Keynote Address – “Healthy, Active and Resilient Societies: Reconnecting Modern Lifestyles with Human Biology” – Professor Yiannis Koutedakis

10:35–11:40 / Discussion Panel 1 – Physical Activity, Public Health and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases

11:45–12:50 / Discussion Panel 2 – Healthy Lifestyles Across the Life Course: From Childhood to Healthy Ageing

13:50–14:55 / Discussion Panel 3 – Inclusion, Equality and Mental Wellbeing Through Sport and Physical Activity

15:00–16:00 / Discussion Panel 4 – Mountain, People, Nature and Climate Resilience: healthy lifestyles and outdoor physical activity in a changing environment

16:20–17:25 / Policy Forum – Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Communities: The Troodos 2026–2030 Vision

17:25–18:00 / Closing Ceremony – Scientific and policy conclusions · Declaration of the Mountain Games Troodos 2026

An adapted music, movement and traditional dance workshop for older people

Organised by: Mountain Areas Social Support Network

Music and movement workshops curated by: Dimitris Konstantinou, dance instructor and researcher of Cypriot traditional dance

Partner organisation: Rymvos Dance School

University of Thessaly participation: Dr Maria Bogiatzi

An official welcome evening for the event’s partner organisations, European delegations, contributors and guests

↳ 20:00–20:40 Nama Dama Performance · Pines & Piano Bar, Pendeli Resort

↳ 21:00–22:30 Mediterranean Welcome Dinner · Ilios Restaurant, Pendeli Resort

Gastronomy Programme Curator: Evi Chioti, Executive Chef

Coordination and curation of the welcome dinner: Evryviadis Nikolaou, Executive Chef

Artistic programme: Anastasia Dimitriadou – NamaDama

A demanding circular hike to the Madari Peaks (Teisia), with an introduction to the geological heritage of the area

Total length: 16.5 km | Difficulty level: 3

Organiser and coordinator: MountMed Institute

Participation of partner organisations: Mountaineering Association TARA and OTI Slovakia

Route leader / required equipment:

Creative workshops, group orienteering games, outdoor sports activities, the traditional stone throwing and target games “Ditzimin and Skatoulika”, team-building games and the “Mountain Breakfast: Honey, Vine & Energy” Gastronomy Workshop

Scientific curation: Dr Georgios Metsios · Dr Nikolaos Komoutos · Gastronomy Workshop curation: Evi Chioti, Executive Chef

Activity contributors: Nektarios Alexandrou - GDA Sports · Christos Konstantinou – Mountain Communities Social Support Network · Stavroula Kozakou, MountMed Institute · MountMed · Nikolas Christofi, Agros Youth Hub, Youth Board of Cyprus · Eleni Georgiou Chef Pâtissier · Brian Mark Petri, Executive Chef · Lazaros Lazarou, clinical dietitian and exercise physiologist

Participationof partnerorganisations: Sibaris Club, ORIEL APS, Euroactive NGO and University of Thessaly

Music, movement and traditional dance for older people

Organised by: Mountain Areas Social Support Network

Music and movement workshops curated by: Dimitris Konstantinou, dance instructor and researcher of Cypriot traditional dance

Partner organisation: Rymvos Dance School

University of Thessaly participation: Dr Maria Bogiatzi

A nature walk along the Kryos Potamos river, ending at the Kalidonia Waterfall

Total length: 3 km one-way (6 km round trip) | Difficulty level: 3

Organiser and coordinator: MountMed Institute

Participation of partner organisations: Sibaris Club, Mountaineering Association TARA, Sports Union of Slovenia, European Hiking Federation / ERA, Euroactive NGO, OTI Slovakia, University of Thessaly and Youth Eurasia

Under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism

Scientific curation: Dr Yiannis Koutedakis · Partner organisation: Deputy Ministry of Tourism

Guest speakers: Andreas Aschaber, European Mountaineering Association · Angelo M. Latorre, Italian Hiking Federation · Participation: European Hiking Federation and Sports Union of Slovenia

14:15–15:15 Light lunch · 15:15–16:30 Optional field visit to Agros, an emblematic Mediterranean-diet community

Delegation representatives from Greece, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and the Czech Republic present and teach dances from their countries, together with Cyprus

Music and movement workshops curated by: Dimitris Konstantinou

Participationof partnerorganisations: Youth Eurasia, Sibaris Club, Mountaineering Association TARA, Sports Union of Slovenia, European Hiking Federation / ERA, Euroactive NGO, OTI Slovakia and University of Thessaly

An easy circular route through the Troodos National Forest Park, focused on the natural environment and biodiversity

Total length: 7 km | Difficulty level: 1

Organiser and coordinator: MountMed Institute

Participation of partner organisations: Sibaris Club, University of Thessaly and European Hiking Federation

With the institutional support of the Youth Board

A participatory youth workshop on movement, hiking, healthy lifestyles, volunteering and active participation in mountain areas

Organised by: MountMed Institute in partnership with the Youth Board of Cyprus · Scientific curation: Dr Georgios Metsios

Participationof partnerorganisations: European Hiking Federation, Sports Union of Slovenia, ORIEL APS, Euroactive NGO and Youth Eurasia

An educational workshop on the assessment, upgrading and future certification of quality hiking trails in Cyprus

Organised by: MountMed and European Hiking Federation

Scientific curation: Dr Andreas Flouris

Trainers: Liane Jordan and Olga Karagianni

By application · Up to 12 participants from Cyprus

Certificate of attendance provided

Creative workshops, group orienteering games, outdoor sports activities, the traditional stone throwing and target games “Ditzimin and Skatoulika”, team-building games and the “Mountain Breakfast: Honey, Vine & Energy” Gastronomy Workshop. Specially adapted track for children with visual impairment or low vision: an orienteering maze, a hands-on pottery workshop and a gastronomy workshop of taste, touch and aroma

Scientific curation: Dr Georgios Metsios · Dr Nikolaos Komoutos · Gastronomy Workshop curation: Evi Chioti, Executive Chef

Activity contributors: Nektarios Alexandrou - GDA Sports · Christos Konstantinou – Mountain Communities Social Support Network · Stavroula Kozakou, MountMed Institute · MountMed · Nikolas Christofi, Agros Youth Hub, Youth Board of Cyprus · Eleni Georgiou Chef Pâtissier · Brian Mark Petri · Executive Chef Lazaros Lazarou, clinical dietitian and exercise physiologist · Andreas Fasoulidis, ceramic artisan

Participationof partnerorganisations: Sibaris Club, ORIEL APS, Euroactive NGO and University of Thessaly

Design and curation of the Gastronomy Programme: Evi Chioti, Executive Chef, President of Disciples Escoffier Cyprus, International Culinary Judge and food-culture and sustainable-gastronomy consultant

↳ 10:00–22:00 Mountain Agrifood Products and Makers Market

↳ 12:00–13:00 Living Heritage: Olive – cultivation, products, uses and olive oil tasting — Dimitris Taliotis · Margarita Iakovou, Clinical Dietitian  · Triantafyllos Souliotis, Executive Chef – Specialist in Modern Cypriot Gastronomy ·

↳ 13:15–14:45 Gastronomy workshop: Mediterranean Meal – legumes, greens, oil-based dishes and olive oil — Evi Chioti, Executive Chef · Chrysoulla Michael, Traditional Cook · Margarita Iakovou, Clinical Dietitian

↳ 16:00–17:30 Living Heritage: The Dairy Culture of Cyprus — Stavros Georgiou (Stavris), Chef · Margarita Iakovou, Clinical Dietitian · Salatas Dairy, Pachna · Andronikis Dairy, Ayia Marina Xyliatou

↳ 17:45–19:15 Gastronomy workshop: Cypriot Ravioles and Italian Ravioli — Marcello Zaccaria, Executive Chef, member of the Italian Chefs Federation and ambassador of Italian gastronomic heritage

Women of the Mountain: Custodians of Gastronomic Heritage and their role in the resilience of local communities

A conference under the auspices of the Commissioner for Gender Equality. Part of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026.

Scientific curation: Dr Ioannis Fatouros, Professor of Exercise Biochemistry, with Evi Chioti, Executive Chef, President of Disciples Escoffier Cyprus · Participation of European bodies: Mountaineering Association TARA, OTI Slovakia, Sports Union of Slovenia, European Hiking Federation / ERA and Youth Eurasia

Movement, observation and route choice, with a specially designed map and themed stations for mental wellbeing, resilience and mental health

Organiser: MountMed Institute · Coordination: Mountain Areas Social Support Network – Christos Konstantinou · ORIENTACTION Cyprus · GDA Sports – Nektarios Alexandrou

Application: Sibaris Club · Competitivesection: TeamA — ORIEL APS, Euroactive NGO, University of Thessaly, MountMed Institute · TeamB — Mountaineering Association TARA, OTI Slovakia, Sports Union of Slovenia, European Hiking Federation / ERA and Youth Eurasia

Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Czech Republic

Music and movement workshops curated by: Dimitris Konstantinou

Partner organisation: Rymvos Music and Dance Group · Institutional support: Cyprus Sport Organisation and the Cyprus Federation of Sport and Social Dance

An open music celebration with Giorgos Foundos, Eleni Konstantinou, Efxifios Satsias, Pantelis Ionas and Kostas Halloumas

07:30 Registration · 08:00 Technical Meeting

• 08:30 | EVENT A – Short Track XCC Cup Challenge RACE A: Men Elite, Junior Men, Masters Men, Cycling for All

• 09:00 | EVENT A – Short Track XCC Cup Challenge RACE B: Women Elite, Junior Women, U15, U17

09:25 | EVENT A – Short Track XCC Cup Challenge RACE C: Cycling for All and Masters Women 1, 2 & 3

• 09:30 | EVENT B – e-BIKE RACE Challenge: Boys U19, Girls U19, Men, Women

10:00 | EVENT C – Eliminator XCE Cup Challenge · 11:30 Heats · 12:30 Finals

13:30–14:00 | Awards for Events A, B and C

14:30 | EVENT D – Balancing Bike Race

15:00 | EVENT E – Academy Challenge XCO Race

• 15:00 XCO Race A U10 Boys and Girls

• 15:20 XCO Race B U12 Boys and Girls

• 15:45 XCO Race C U14 and U15 Boys and Girls

16:15 | EVENT F – Village Cycling Tours

17:15–18:30 | Awards for Events D, E and F

Organisation of the cycling tour and races: Lazaros Lazarou, Clinical Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist, UCI Level 2 certified cycling coach · Olympiada Neapoleos Cycling Club

Scientific Director: Dr Petros Dinas, researcher in human physiology and federal cycling commissioner of the Hellenic Cycling Federation · Participation: OTI Slovakia

An 8-team U12 football tournament and workshops on Resilience: Mental, Physical and Digital

Organiser: GDA Sports · Design and coordination: Nektarios Alexandrou, former international professional footballer and Mountain Games Goodwill Ambassador

Scientific support: Dr Nikolaos Komoutos · Partner organisations: ATM Sports Management and MountMed Institute · Participation: University of Thessaly

Institutional support: Cyprus Sport Organisation · Kakopetria Community Council · Cyprus Football Federation

Conclusion of the two-day European Hiking Federation training workshop with Liane Jordan and Olga Karagianni

↳ 10:00–21:00 Mountain Agrifood Products and Makers Market

↳ 10:00–12:00 Family Breakfast: Bread, Sourdough & Tradition — Marilena Ioannidou, Chef · Eleni Georgiou, Chef Pâtissier · Brian Mark Petri, Executive Chef · Angela Angelidou, Clinical Dietitian-Nutritionist · Koilani Women’s Cultural Association · Vouni Women’s Association · Family Businesses · Traditional Bread Makers, Men and Women

↳ 11:00–12:15 Taste and Heritage Trail in Omodos

↳ 11:00–12:00 Zero-waste kitchen — Andreas Andreou, Executive Chef · Yiannis Liapakis, European Young Chef 2025 · Angela Angelidou, Clinical Dietitian-Nutritionist · Stavroula Theodotou, Arkatena Omodous “Foteini”, Omodos · Niki Kavkalia, “KAFKALIA” family cured-meats business, Agros

↳ 12:15–13:15 International gastronomy workshop: Crete–Cyprus — Andreas Andreou, Executive Chef · Yiannis Liapakis, European Young Chef 2025 · Angela Angelidou, Clinical Dietitian-Nutritionist

↳ 13:30–14:30 Gastronomic creations with almonds and seasonal fruit — Marilena Ioannidou, Chef · Chrysoulla Michael, Traditional Cook, “I Avli tou Themistokli” Tavern · Angela Angelidou, Clinical Dietitian-Nutritionist · Daphne Savva, Ktima Dymatou, Dymes

A women’s a cappella choir under the artistic direction of its founder and conductor, Vasiliki Anastasiou

Live cooking demonstration with Chef Stavros Georgiou (Stavris)

Tastings based on Troodos agrifood produce, paired with local wines. 

Presentation of local wineries and wine tasting, sale of local wines and Commandaria

Wine tasting led by Iraklis Christoforou, Sommelier, Vice-President of the Cyprus Sommelier Association (CY SOMMS)

Welcome and greetings ·

Keynote talks:

• The Mediterranean Diet as a Global Model of Sustainable Development – Dr Antonia Trichopoulou, Emerita Professor at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, President of the Hellenic Health Foundation and full member of the Academy of Athens

• Exercise: the most affordable, effective medicine with zero side effects – Dr Yiannis Koutedakis, Emeritus Professor of Exercise Physiology at the University of Thessaly

• Why We Eat What We Eat: A Culinary Psychology Perspective – Stelios Kiossis, Psychotherapist, Director of the “Psychology of Eating” programme and lecturer at the University of Oxford, visiting faculty member at the Medical School of Harvard

Panel “From Scientific Knowledge to Policy and Practice” – Moderator: Dr Athanasios Jamurtas · Panellists: Dr Andreas Flouris · Nektarios Alexandrou · Evi Chioti · Dr Konstantinos Fellas

Closing Ceremony – “Journey, Footprint, Continuity”: Dr Petros Dinas and Stavros Kazamias · Sillian Ferrari, ORIEL APS Italy · Eva Ducaiova, OTI Slovakia · honorary distinctions and official closing address

Musicians: Marilena Charalambous · Makis Chrysostomou · Sofoklis Panayiotou · Panikos Nikolaidis · Thomas Nikodimou · The Market stays open until 21:00

Five dishes inspired by the gastronomic heritage of Cyprus, the Mediterranean diet and the agrifood products of the Troodos mountain range

Design and curation of the Gastronomy Programme: Evi Chioti, Executive Chef, President of Disciples Escoffier Cyprus, International Culinary Judge and food-culture and sustainable-gastronomy consultant

Design and curation of the Gastronomy Programme: Marcello Zaccaria, Executive Chef, member of the Italian Chefs Federation and ambassador of Italian gastronomic heritage · Yiannis Liapakis, European Young Chef 2025 · Triantafyllos Souliotis, Executive Chef – Specialist in Modern Cypriot Gastronomy · Evryviadis Nikolaou, Executive Chef · Eleni Georgiou, Chef Pâtissier

Wine selection and food pairing: Iraklis Christoforou, Sommelier

Music programme: Gaba Project – Vasilis Vasiliou, Nikolas Tryfonos and Christina Polykarpou · featuring Vasiliki Anastasiou · Representatives of partner organisations, European delegations, contributors and guests