The Kalamata International Dance Festival is synonymous with the flourishing of contemporary dance in Greece. From 1995 to the present day, it provides the public with works dedicated to the poetry of the human body, hosting creators who are shaping the very history of contemporary dance.

The Festival’s artistic program will take place from July 18 to 27, featuring a total of 20 choreographic works from Greece and abroad—specifically from Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Norway, Portugal, the UK, Lebanon, and Switzerland.12 works will be presented at the Kalamata Dance Megaron. In addition, parallel events will include 6 dance performances across the city, at venues such as the Castle Amphitheater, Kalamata Main Square, Municipal Railway Park, and Kalamata Port. The program will also include 8 dance nights in other cities throughout the region – including the Agora of Costa Navarino - and various public spaces in cities across the Peloponnese. Moreover, a temporary anniversary exhibition will be organized, alongside two new sections: Dancing on Screen, dedicated to the relationship between dance, the moving image, and cinema, and Offstage Encounters, which will feature a discussion between the dance community and the public on the theme of age in art and society. (Source: kalamatadancefestival.gr/en/)

This year’s edition is shaped through collaborations with other cultural institutions, educational bodies, municipalities, associations, and organizations from both Greece and abroad, including the Greek National Opera, Onassis Stegi, the French Institute, the Museum of Cycladic Art, and others.

The Ballet of the Greek National Opera, in co-production with the renowned London dance center The Place, will present Future Cargo by Frauke Requardt and David Rosenberg, at Kalamata Main Square, on July 19. This dance performance transports audiences into a science fiction world, where a group of non-human beings observe us from an eerie, futuristic setting—a truck that has invaded the city. Future Cargo will tour throughout the Festival’s duration, appearing in different cities across the Peloponnese, supported by a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), in order to promote the Greek National Opera’s artistic outreach

According to the Artistic Director of the Festival, Tzeni Argyriou, the selected works this year reflect a broad spectrum of generational voices, geographical backgrounds, choreographic languages, research themes, and levels of experience and artistic development. This year’s program places special emphasis on Greek creators, aiming to highlight that Greek choreographers—both within and abroad—are at the very center of the international contemporary dance scene.

 Venues across the city will host choreographic works of the Kalamata International Dance Festival, including the Port (upper), the Castle Amphitheater (lower left), and the Dance Megaron (lower right) (Source: kalamata.gr )

Tzeni Argyriou stressed that, “At the heart of the Festival is dance that speaks to the human condition, that connects us with the deeper parts of ourselves, and helps build bridges of understanding and solidarity. The Festival’s rhythm emerges through the succession of performances, gradually forming a collective body that nurtures our curiosity for discovery, our desire to observe, that stretches time and invites us to travel from one artist’s world to another—to rediscover ourselves and reconnect with others. This year’s Festival invites us to celebrate the joy of creation and the freedom of expression. Dance is a medium that transcends cultural borders, allowing us to communicate and invent new codes—perhaps even new worlds”.

A core part of the Festval’s new vision is the year-round activation of the Kalamata International Dance Center outside the Festival’s usual schedule, transforming the unique-in-Greece Dance Megaron into a vibrant, active hub of artistic creation 12 months a year. The goal is to establish an International Dance Center operating on local, national, and international levels—a place that hosts artists from around the world, with a special focus on Greek creators. This center embrace all stages of artistic creation—research, production, presentation, and promotion—and will encourage dialogue between the arts and sciences, traditions, and technologies. It will also emphasize art’s connection to society by cultivating creative relationships among the institution, the city, and its communities. (Source: kalamatadancefestival.gr/en/)

For the opening performance on July 18 on the Main Stage of the Kalamata Dance Megaron, Mellowing by Christos Papadopoulos, will be presented. Created and premiered in Berlin in 2023, the work was commissioned by the Dance On Ensemble - a company founded to explore the relationship between dance and aging, both on stage and in society. Papadopoulos is a Greek choreographer who, in recent years, has captivated the global stage with his minimalist style and richly layered worlds. He was honored with the prestigious Rose International Dance Award

The Festival presents one of the 20th century’s landmark masterpieces, May B by Maguy Marin—one of the most important choreographers of our time, visiting Kalamata for the first time, ten years after her last appearance in Greece. In her work, dance meets social awareness, politics, and the need for action. Inspired by the Beckettian universe (B for Beckett), May B embodies what Marin calls “the power of dance to express the mystery of our existence in the world”

The new work Thrice by Franco-Belgian choreographer Damien Jalet, currently regarded as one of the most sought-after choreographers in the world - and perhaps the one most directly engaged with the world of cinema - will be presented just one month after its premiere in Norway. Jalet is interested in dance’s ability to constantly redefine itself as a medium through dialogue with other fields such as visual arts, music, cinema, theatre, fashion, and the realm of ancient mythology.

Beytna by Omar Rajeh is a unique dance performance centered on the idea of sharing - an ideal work to close this year’s Festival. “Beytna” means “our home” or “our house” in Lebanese and signifies an invitation to the table. For Omar Rajeh, the word is deeply connected to his grandfather’s open home, where the joy of sharing was one of life’s greatest values. In Beytna, four choreographers and four musicians from Lebanon, Korea, Palestine, Belgium, and Togo transform a traditional family gathering into an artistic convergence of dance, music, and cooking.

In Dive Into You by Kat Válastur, a Greek choreographer who has long lived and worked in Berlin while maintaining her connection to Athens, will be presented for the first time in Greece. Válastur’s works—poetic, tender, and sharp—often reference ancient rituals and myths. This choreographic ritual draws inspiration from the organic functions of trees, with the energies of her body and voice expressing dynamic forces of vibration, spiral, and circle. Through these elements, she composes a ritual of transformation, healing, and care.

This year’s expanded educational program includes 4 professional workshops, 4 masterclasses, and 5 dance and movement workshops for the general public of all ages, including individuals with disabilities. Moreover, a rich program of parallel events will run in dialogue with the main stage performances, featuring an anniversary exhibition, a new series of dance film screenings, and a discussion event on the topic of age in art and society.

Inside the Megaron’s Foyer, the anniversary exhibition Kalamata, the City of Dance will highlights the Festival’s legacy through fragments of its archive—posters, programs, photos, and video footage—paired with new artworks inspired by its history

A new thematic section introduced this year, Dancing On Screen will run daily during the Festival at the Kalamata Labour Centre. This section will present eight films dedicated to the relationship between dance, moving image, and cinema—addressing both seasoned audiences and newcomers to contemporary dance

Kalamata, the capital and central port of Messinia, is located at the site of ancient Farai in Southern Peloponnese, approximately 238 km SW of Athens. Thanks to the fertile Messinian lands - producing olive oil, raisins, figs, and more - it has developed into a wealthy urban centre and a significant port.

The wider region of the legendary “castle of Isabeau” of Kalamata, constructed in the 13^th  century by William Villehardouin,  boasts several Byzantine churches and is the hotspot for the city’s beating nightlife heart (Source: visitgreece.gr)

The seaside road in front of the city’s extensive 4 km-long beach offers visitors crystal clear waters and lace-like beaches, which have been granted the Blue Flag award for quality. Along the seaside, there are several tavernas, ouzo restaurants, cafés, bars, and clubs, while beach aficionados can enjoy all kinds of water sports. Nearby destinations include several beaches - Verga,  Mikri Mandineia, Avia. Kitries - which have developed in recent years into resorts featuring significant tourist facilities and a vibrant summer nightlife (Source: visitgreece.gr, visit-kalamata.gr)

Also worth visiting are also the mountain villages on the Western slope of Mt.Taygetos, along the road to the city from Sparta, considered one of the most beautiful routes in Greece (Source: experienceskalamata.com, kalamata.gr/en/visitors/city-tour)

Watch the Kalamata International Dance Festival’s official trailer here

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The archaeological site of Peristeria (Περιστεριά) is strategically located 8 km NE of Kyparissia in southern Greece's Messenia region. Peristeria was the richest urban center of Western Peloponnese during the early Mycenaean period. It was occupied until the end of the Mycenaean period (1680-1180 BC) and dominated Messenia before the Palace of Nestor in Pylos was built. Thanks to the excavations led by Spyridon Marinatos and Georgios Korres in the 1960s and 1970s, it was identified as one of the most significant centers of the Mycenaean world in mainland Greece, earning the title the "Mycenae of the Western Peloponnese".

Peristeria, tholos tomb 1

Peristeria reached its peak during the early Mycenaean period (17th/16th century BC) and continued to thrive until the 15th century BC. During this time, the hill was fortified on its southern side with a wall, the population grew, and a powerful center emerged, ruled by prominent leaders who accumulated the region’s wealth. These rulers exhibited both outward ambition and receptiveness to the cultural trends of the era. Among the most significant discoveries at the site are three tholos tombs, another tholos tomb to the south of the hill, part of a palace, and several residential structures. The prestige and power of these local lords are reflected in the numerous elaborate offerings of gold, precious materials and everyday items, most of which were found in the vaulted tombs. These findings are now displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Chora.

The artistic themes, materials, and craftsmanship of the finds at Peristeria highlight the widespread use of gold and other imported materials, suggesting that these items were products of barter trade. They also point to Peristeria's connections with Crete, other Mycenaean centers in mainland Greece, as well as with the broader Mediterranean and Europe. Around 1400/1300 BC, Peristeria lost its administrative significance and became a smaller settlement. It was likely not fully integrated into the sphere of influence of the Palace of Nestor, but was eventually succeeded by another Mycenaean center at the site of “Elliniko” in Mouriatada, which is identified with the Homeric Amphigenia. Evidence of habitation on the hill extends into the Hellenistic and Roman periods. (Source: Ephorate of Antiquities of Messenia)

Peristeria, tholos tomb 3 (upper) and tholos tomb 2 (down)

Works planned for the Mycenaean hill site of Peristeria will stabilize the remains of the three tholos tombs and improve infrastructure for visitors, the Ministry of Culture announced last week. Commenting on the site, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the focus of the project would be to restore and highlight the remains of the Mycenaean tholos tombs. "The goal is to protect the remains and enhance their visibility, whenever they are obscured. With the upgrade of the entrance and infrastructure of the archaeological site, these relatively unknown Mycenaean monuments will play a key role in positioning the archaeological site of Peristeria on the cultural map of Messenia", Mendoni noted. The main visitors’ path will be accessible to both pedestrians and people with disabilities. Platforms will offer visitors a wider vista of the site and include benches. Lightning and fire protection systems, along with other necessary facility systems, will also be implemented.

Peristeria, tholos tomb 1, view of the entrance

Tholos Tomb 1 is the largest of the tombs at Peristeria. Built around 1500 BC, it was covered by a tumulus (earthen mound) supported by a surrounding wall. The tomb features a well-designed façade with full-height limestone cladding, and two Minoan symbols— a branch and a double axe— are carved on the left pillar of the entrance. The restored dome has a diameter of 12.04 meters and reaches a height of 10 meters. The lintel of the stomion consists of three large blocks weighing up to 22 tons each, whereas scholars believe that there was also a relief triangle. Although the tomb was looted in antiquity, numerous offerings were still found inside, including fragments of palace pitchers, gold leaves, a small gold votive decorated with 1,000 tiny glued beads, a gold plate with an embossed image of a procession of male figures (similar to ritual processions in Minoan art), thin gold discs, votives, and a scarab made of amethyst, along with pieces of black stone vessels.

Tholos Tomb 2 is smaller and predates the larger tholos Tomb 1. Although ii was found looted, it still yielded a variety of significant artifacts, including animal and anthropomorphic figurines, an abundance of gold leaves, fragments of palatial pitchers, and numerous objects made of gold, silver, copper, amber, and ivory.

Tholos Tomb 3, constructed in the early Mycenaean period (late 17th century BC), is the oldest tholos tomb at Peristeria. Its diameter was 6.90 meters, and only part of the dome remains, reaching a height of about 2 meters. Inside, two decorated amphorae from the early Mycenaean period were discovered, along with a number of gold offerings. Notable items include a large gold diadem with embossed decoration, three gold cups with embossed spiral designs, gold tassels, and jewelry for the deceased’s shroud made from very thin gold sheets, rosettes, newts, and owls. Hoards of semi-precious materials such as amethyst, sardius, amber, and rock crystal were also found, as well as arrowheads made of flint and obsidian and boar tusks from tooth-rimmed helmets.

(Source: Ephorate of Antiquities of Messenia)

Early Mycenaean amphorae from Peristeria tholos tombs, Archaeological Museum of Chora

Amethyst necklace, 1525 BC to 1450 BC, Archaeological Museum of Chora, Peristeria, tholos tomb 2 (upper left), Gold artifacts from Peristeria tholos tombs (owl, bird, newt seashell, pendants, heart shaped gold leaf, bees), Archaeological Museum of Chora (upper right), Gold cup, 1620 BC to 1550 BC, Archaeological Museum of Chora, Peristeria, tholos tomb 3, height 14 cm (down) (photos: Ephorate of Antiquities of Messenia)

The Mycenaean archaeological sites in Messenia showcase the grandeur of the region's civilization from its earliest days. The Palace of Nestor at the acropolis of Ano Englianos, located near the town of Pylos, in the village of Chora, stands out as one of the most impressive Mycenaean palaces, not only because of its size but also due to its historical significance. Visitors can explore the throne room of the Homeric king, Nestor, the wise advisor to the Achaeans during the Trojan War. The Palace of Nestor was a bi-level building with large courtyards, abundant storage spaces, private apartments, workshops, baths, stairwells, and skylights, along with sophisticated drainage. The halls were decorated with remarkable wall paintings, while pictorial representations also adorned the palatial floors. The approximately 1000 clay tablets in Linear B script, which were brought to light during excavations in the wider area, confirm the site’s function as a financial, administrative, political and religious centre of Mycenaean Messenia. The Griffin Warrior Tomb, excavated by the University of Cincinnati-sponsored team in 2015, yielded valuable finds, including the famous Combat Agate.\

The Palace of Nestor at Ano Englianos (photos: Ephorate of Antiquities of Messenia)

The Pylos Combat Agate, believed to be a Cretan work of Late Minoan I, may be the finest example of glyptic art yet discovered in a Minoan or Mycenaean context (courtesy of the University of Cincinnati)

Additionally, several vaulted tombs in sites like Ano Eglianos, Koukounara, Kaminia, Halkia, Kefalovryso, Platanovrysi, Aristomeni, Diodia, Tragana, Myrsinohori, Kato Eglianos, Volimidia, Kaplani, Voidokilia, Psari, Kampos, Koryfasio, and Malthi are must-see archaeological landmarks in Messenia (Source: Ephorate of Antiquities of Messenia). Iklaina was also a prominent Mycenaean center that its memory seems to have survived for at least four centuries after its abandonment since it’s mentioned by Homer in the Iliad.

All sightseeing can be combined with the natural beauty of Messenia, including trekking routes, stunning beaches, high-quality resorts and hotels, and exquisite gastronomy.

Read also: The Griffin Warrior unlocks secrets of the Mycenaean civilisation

Archaeologists Jack Davis and Sharon Stocker on the 3500-year-old Warrior’s Tomb Discovery in Pylos

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