Athens & Epidaurus Festival Packed with Cultural Events for Every Taste

Ancient theater of Epidaurus. Photo Source: Athens & Epidaurus Festival

A Greek summer tradition, the annual Athens & Epidaurus Festival is now upon us with dozens of events at major venues across the Greek capital and at Epidaurus with “diversity, collectiveness and movement” as this year’s motto.

The annual series, which runs through to August 18, and kicked off in June, features dance, opera, theater, visual arts, educational, tributes, concerts and recitals at the ancient open-air Irodion Theater under the Parthenon, at “Opening to the City” venues such as the National Garden, Peiraios 260, the Athens Conservatoire, St Paul’s Anglican Church, the Megaron-Athens Concert Hall and Gardens, the Benaki Museum, as well as at city locations in Piraeus including the port. Meanwhile, the Ancient Epidaurus Theater will feature works by Greek playwrights.

Irodion Theater, Athens

Some of the shows that stood out thus far include concerts by Sting, Calexico and Nana Mouskouri, with many more in the lineup for the next two months including Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound, Euripides’ Orestes, Carmen, and much more.

Indicatively, according to media reports, in its first month, the festival recorded a 96 percent increase in earnings compared to the same period last year, when again it posted a 40 percent rise in the number of viewers (at 84,000).

All Greek performances include English surtitles and many of the events are free of charge.

For the complete program of events in English, visit the Athens & Epidaurus Festival site.