Celebrating 70 Years of the Athens Epidaurus Festival: 95 Days of Art, 107+ Productions, 3,000+ Artists

The Athens Epidaurus Festival is Greece’s leading cultural organisation and one of the oldest running festivals in Europe. Spanning 70 years, the Festival has welcomed some of the greatest music, dance, and theatre artists from both the international and local scenes, in collaboration with prestigious Greek and international organisations, attracting large audiences from around the world (Cover photo: poster of the Festival by Beetroot).

In this landmark year, with 107 unique productions, more than 3,000 artists, across 14 venues and over 95 days, the Athens Epidaurus Festival promises an exciting artistic season aimed at an even broader audience. Legendary figures from the global stage will be featured, alongside the largest participation of young artists in the Festival’s history. Of course, the artistic realms that gave birth to the institution and have been at the heart of its programme ever since —Ancient Drama and Classical Music— continue to hold a central role.

Stage Director and Artistic Director of the Athens Epidaurus Festival, Katerina Evangelatos, stated that “this anniversary marks a moment of reflection, but also the birth of a new chapter. It is the perfect occasion to reassess the Festival’s relationship with its audience and the contemporary artistic scene”… “In this year’s anniversary programme, we welcome prominent figures of the Arts while simultaneously turning our gaze toward the future, offering a platform to the voices of the younger generation—on a scale unprecedented in our history! In addition, we launch thematic Cycles that draw from Literature and our cultural traditions. We give prominence to formidable women who are leading the way in Theatre, Dance, and Music. We create landmark global events in Epidaurus, unveiling a constellation of productions full of surprises. We invite artists from dozens of countries, making the international character of the festival more pronounced than ever. We initiate public discussions on the pressing agonies of our times, participate in film production, expand our free-access events, embark on new artistic journeys, and establish strategic partnerships that thrust the Festival into its next era”.

ODEON OF HERODES ATTICUS

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus – known as the “Herodeon” – is located on the southern slopes of the Acropolis, on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. Entry to the Odeon is from the pedestrianised Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, a walkway linking Athens’ main archaeological sites (Source: Athens Epidaurus Festival, © Thomas Daskalakis)

The programme at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is defined by a cohesive Classical Music Cycle, featuring stellar names from the global stage. Grand orchestras and remarkable soloists, such as Yuja Wang, Daniil Trifonov, and Emmanuel Ax, will perform this year at the Roman Odeon, while, the supreme soloist Hilary Hahn will be performing with the Münchner Philharmoniker under the baton of conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada. Joining the celebration will be Greek “international” conductors, Constantinos Carydis and Teodor Currentzis. The programme of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus includes eminent figures of contemporary music, opera performances from the Greek National Opera, a grand tribute to the legacy of Mikis Theodorakis, Dance and Theatre productions.

The programme at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus includes, among other performances (from upper left to lower right): Greek National Opera, Turandot by Giacomo Puccini (June 1-8), Katerina Evangelatos, Hippolytus by Euripides, National Theatre of Greece (June 18-19), The Stranglers (June 23), Athens State Orchestra – Lukas Karytinos – Emanuel Ax, Works by Beethoven and Mendelssohn (June 28) Sydney Dance Company, Impermanence (July 4), The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra – Andrés Orozco-Estrada – Hilary Hahn, Works by Brahms and Dvořák (July 6), Chamber Orchestra of Europe – Constantinos Carydis – Francesco Piemontesi, Works by Koukos, Liszt, Purcell, Berlioz (July 10), Mikis Τheodorakis – Odysseas Elytis, Axion Esti, Athens State Orchestra conducted by Myron Michailidis (July 13), Greek National Opera—Derrick Inouye—Katerina Evangelatos, Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi (July 27-31)

PEIRAIOS 260

The Athens Festival venue at 260 Peiraios Street is a former industrial space located at the Tavros district of Athens, and shares a city block with the Athens School of Fine Art (Source: Athens Epidaurus Festival)

First-time participants in the Festival, young Greek creators, as well as trailblazing voices from the international stage, will present original works of Theatre and Dance at Peiraios 260. At the heart of this year’s programming lies the representation of as many artistic disciplines and languages as possible, embracing every breath of artistic expression, diverse forms, dramaturgies, repertoires, and creative contributors. However, the 70^th anniversary of the Festival would not be complete without some legendary figures, whose journeys have been intertwined not only with the history of the institution, such as Ariane Mnouchkine and the historic Théâtre du Soleil, and the visual artist and director William Kentridge.

The programme at Peiraios 260 includes, among other performances (from upper left to lower right): Christina Gouzelis – Paul Blackman, Far from the End (June 6-8), Back to Back Theatre, The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes (June 6-8), Idio Chichava, Vagabundus (June 6-8), El Conde de Torrefiel, La luz de un lago (June 12-14), Alexandra Waierstall, HEART MOMENT (June 12-13), Io Voulgaraki, Comemadre, based on the book by Roque Larraquy (june 13-16), Alexandros Stavropoulos, Who’s gonna tell her? (June 14-16), Thanasis Dovris, Sotiria, based on the short story collection by Chara Romvi (June 19-21), Faye Driscoll, Weathering (June 27-29)

Panagiota Kallimani Somehow, if not, at all, together (June 27-28), Carolina Bianchi—Cara de Cavalo, The Bride and the Goodnight Cinderella /A Noiva e o Boa Noite Cinderela (July 5-6), Christos Thanos, War correspondents (July 5-8), Emily Louizou, Blindness, Based on the novel by José Saramago (July 5-8), Miet Warlop, INHALE DELIRIUM EXHALE (July 7-8), Dafin Antoniadou, Darkest White (July 21-22), Katerina Giannopoulou, Phenomenon, By Greg Liakopoulos (July 21-24), Sofia Antoniou, Life, Old Age, and Death of a Working-Class Woman Based on the book by Didier Eribon (July 21-24), Patricia Apergi, Hystory (July 21-24)

Handspring Puppet Company – William Kentridge, Faustus in Africa! (June 20-22). Within a meticulously orchestrated universe—populated almost entirely by puppets!— Kentridge tells the story of the protagonist who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for unlimited joy and everlasting youth—this time, setting it in Africa!

Live at the Platea: Live performances will take place throughout the artistic programme at Peiraios 260, following the main performances. Musical groups performing a diverse array of styles—from gypsy jazz, funk, and Latin to hip-hop, world music, and Balkan rhythms (May 30-July 27)

ANCIENT THEATER OF EPIDAURUS

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is located within the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Asklepios, in the Argolis prefecture of the Peloponnese. It is a half-hour drive from Nafplio and approximately two hours from Athens (Source: Athens Epidaurus Festival)

A cornerstone of programming at Epidaurus, Ancient Drama remains the unwavering protagonist of a rich, pulsating tradition that constantly seeks new avenues of expression and communication with the current cultural momentum. In recent years, the Festival has designed and established initiatives that strengthen research, foster fruitful dialogue, and renew the genre. The Contemporary Ancients Cycle, is a project celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. From 2021 to 2024, thirteen original works have been presented at both theatres of Epidaurus by internationally acclaimed creators who responded to our call, demonstrating the timeless appeal of ancient myths.

This year, the Cycle is significantly enriched, among others by the distinguished dramaturg and director Wajdi Mouawad who will present Europa’s pledge, leading an international cast, celebrated French film actress Juliette Binoche. Masters of theatrical Αrt, such as Theodoros Terzopoulos, Yannis Houvardas, and Michail Marmarinos, will bring their creations to the stage of the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus—a distillation of their remarkable journey in Theatre.

National Theatre of Northern Greece – Cyprus Theatre Organisation – Michail Marmarinos, ζ – η – θ The stranger, A return to the sources: a visit to three Odyssey rhapsodies (July 11-12)

Yannis Houvardas: Oedipus, Ancient Theater of Epidaurus. The story of a transformation: from darkness to light. (July 25-26)

National Theatre – Theodoros Terzopoulos, Oresteia by Aeschylus (August 22-23)

LITTLE THEATER OF ANCIENT EPIDAURUS

The Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus is located in the Argolis prefecture of the Peloponnese. It is a half-hour drive from Nafplio and approximately two hours from Athens (Source: Athens Epidaurus Festival, © Thomas Daskalakis)

At the Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus, the month of July is purely dedicated to the Contemporary Ancients Cycle, featuring a programme not strictly theatrical but also rich in music-theatre and film projects, initiating an intriguing fusion of diverse genres and languages that proposes a brave and multi-dimensional approach for the future.

In an unexpected collaboration, the Festival joins hands with the Hellenic Film Academy to produce a film inspired by Sophocles’ Electra, directed by seven filmmakers—a direct nod to the seven decades of the institution’s existence.

GRAPE

GRAPE, the platform dedicated to promoting and exporting Greek performing arts worldwide, has reached its third year and become an indispensable part of the Festival. This year’s edition (July 21–26) welcomes more than 90 guests from over 30 countries. Alongside its rich programme of dynamic Greek artists—whose work will be showcased to artistic directors and heads of programming from across the globe—it launches a major collaboration with the European Festivals Association, and hosts an international forum on performing arts on July 23.

Greek artistic performances presented in the framework of GRAPE 2025. The performances included are also scheduled on dates outside the duration of the platform

SUBSET FESTIVAL – ATHENS CONSERVATOIRE

The Athens Conservatoire remains a steadfast companion in the organisation of the Subset Festival—returning this year with a more pronounced international character than ever. Featuring Ryoji Ikeda, Mouse on Mars ft. Dodo NKishi, Christina Vantzou, and many more artists and soloists, ensembles, and groups from Greece and abroad, the festival further boasts workshops, commissioned works, sound installations, and an enveloping electrifying atmosphere that showcases the new music right here in the heart of Athens. The series of concerts will take place across the Ioannis Despotopoulos Amphitheatre, the New Stage, and the Arts’ Foyer of the Athens Conservatoire.

VISUAL ARTS

On the occasion of the 70^th anniversary of the Festival, Objects of Common Interest, the award-winning design studio, presents an innovative light installation at the spaces of Peiraios 260. The installation consists of tube lights in various shapes, arranged in countless configurations (June 1 – July 24)

Tenant is the title of a video installation by artist and video designer Pantelis Makkas, presented at Peiraios 260: a translucent house filled with images born and crafted for theatrical productions in which he has collaborated over the past fifteen years (July 5-24)

A travel back in time through posters that have adorned the Athens Epidaurus Festival during its 70 consecutive years of operation. In order of appearance, creators of the posters are (from upper left to lower right): 1955 Giorgos Anemogiannis, 1968 Nikos Kostopoulos, 1975 Nikos Kostopoulos, 1989 Nikos Kostopoulos, 1994 Takis, 2022 Kostas Tsoklis, 2017 Iphigenia Vasileiou, 2024 Beetroot (Source: Athens Epidaurus Festival)

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