About ARIUM

About ARIUM

The Premier Event for Tropical Ecosystems

It is with great honor that we welcome you to the 3rd ARIUM Festival, the National Exhibition of Tropical and Beyond Ecosystems, which has now established itself as a high-standard, preeminent event for our country. This organization embraces the full spectrum of specialized ARIUM constructions, including impressive Paludariums, Vivariums, Aquariums, Terrariums, Formicariums, and many other forms of artificial nature representation that highlight the magnificence of biodiversity.

The primary goal of this major exhibition is to offer visitors a rare and immersive opportunity to journey through the magical world of exotic reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, and insects, as well as both freshwater and saltwater fish. Our core objective is for the public to gain an in-depth understanding of the unique characteristics, biological needs, and strict care requirements of these organisms, always in direct relation to the specialized natural ecosystem to which they belong.

The Evolution of the ARIUM Festival and International Recognition

Our journey toward the 3rd ARIUM Festival is a story of continuous evolution and passion for aquatic education and responsible exotic animal ownership. Starting as an ambitious effort, today ARIUM is the point of reference for professionals and hobbyists alike, promoting the philosophy of biotope depiction and a scientific approach to species conservation. Our commitment to protecting and understanding natural ecosystems is reflected in every corner of the exhibition, offering knowledge that redefines the human relationship with wildlife.

Alongside the central exhibition, the heart of the global aquarium hobby beats here for the 5th time in our country, with the hosting of the premier International Discus Competition, Best of Discus 2026. In this landmark event, focus is placed on showcasing the optimal morphological standards and aesthetic perfection of the “King of the Aquarium,” attracting exhibitors and visitors from all over the world. The biotope ecosystems surrounding the venue serve as high-fidelity model exhibits, mimicking natural habitats with absolute precision according to their geographical origin. These constructions provide the ideal visual and biological background for the exhibition, allowing visitors to observe species behavior in environments that perfectly simulate wilderness conditions.

Innovation and Education in the Magical World of Tropical Animals

The ARIUM Festival is not merely a static presentation, but a living educational entity. During the three-day event, the visitor experience is completed with a rich program of specialized seminars and technical presentations by internationally renowned speakers and experts. Through interactive guided tours, the public has the opportunity to speak with experts, resolve questions about species conservation, and understand the complexity of tropical microcosms.

Whether you are an experienced breeder interested in the morphological standards of Best of Discus, or a new enthusiast of reptiles and insects, ARIUM provides the tools and knowledge to elevate your hobby to a scientific level. We invite you to become part of this great event and discover firsthand why the ARIUM Festival is the most significant event of the year for exotic ecosystems in Europe.

Nidal Rezeq is responsible for organizing the Arium Festival. He was born in Athens in 1977. He has been involved in the aquarium hobby for the past 32 years, of which the last 20 have been a professional in the industry. Today he owns the aquarium & water features manufacturing company, “Aquarium Creations””

A milestone in his life was his participation in a research expedition to the Rio Negro & Rio Araca in the Amazon with the aim of researching new species of fish, led by the leading aquatic ecosystem researcher, Heiko Bleher.

He is a certified IDJA (International Discus Judging Association) international judge and has served on the judging panels of numerous global competitions. In Greece, he has organized four International Discus Championships (2012, 2014, 2016, and 2024). Furthermore, he was responsible for the organization of the aquarium section at Pet Festival 2023 in Thessaloniki, as well as the ARIUM exhibitions in 2024 and 2025.

Born in Nicosia, Cyprus, in 1974, he attended the Psychology Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

He continued his studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in the Psychology and Biology departments, where he served as a laboratory assistant in the Zoology II course.
He began his doctoral thesis and research work at Karlsruhe International University and continued at the Panteion University in collaboration with the university clinics of Alexandra and Aretaieion hospitals.

In 2006, he founded Reptilia Nostra, a specialized reptile store, where he focused his interest on promoting reptile culture, which until then was one of his main interests.

His collaboration with research centers, universities, zoological gardens, private collections, and breeders, as well as his participation in research programs, conferences, international exhibitions, etc., rank him among the most knowledgeable in the conservation and reproduction of reptiles under artificial conditions.