Athens Epidaurus Festival

Since 1955, the Athens Epidaurus Festival has welcomed some of the greatest music, dance, and theatre artists of the international and local scene. Over its 70-year history, it has become a place of dialogue between creators, audiences, and its iconic historical venues.

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, an emblematic venue of the Festival, becomes a stage where ancient drama gains new life through contemporary direction, international co-productions, and creative experimentation.

Behind the performances lies a world of movement, intensity, and coexistence. From narrative to abstract, from words to the body and image – the Festival is a space of freedom for artists and an open field of exchange, reinventing both medium and message.

The last decades mark a dynamic period of renewal, with strong outreach, innovative productions, international collaborations, and the presentation of pioneering works. 

Every performance is an invitation to a shared myth. Direction, music, and acting merge to create a world that exists only at that moment, before the eyes of the audience, and fades with the last applause.

World-renowned directors actively participate in the Festival, bringing to the stage timely themes, new aesthetics, and formal innovations. Intercultural exchange becomes a vital element of the artistic program.

Through its program, the Festival also highlights the multitude of new Greek artists, amplifying voices that had not been heard before and simultaneously giving space to experimentation and original creation, through initiatives that support emerging creators.

Contemporary dance evolves into a dominant medium of expression, with works addressing identity, gender, and collectivity. Internationally acclaimed choreographers and younger groups share the stage with physical intensity and deep reflection.

The Festival’s live music events bring together distinguished performers and grand orchestras, offering unique concerts that create a strong sense of togetherness among audiences. 

Featuring stellar artists and remarkable soloists from the global stage, each concert becomes a journey of inner emotion, where melodies intertwine, instrumental voices converse, and the experience transcends the boundaries of the stage.

From contemporary compositions to experimental forms, from traditional music to the avant-garde, the Festival creates a soundscape that seeks new ways of communicating with the audience.

The Athens Epidaurus Festival continues to evolve through reflecting on its legacy, after decades of a defining presence in both the Greek and global artistic landscape. Its history is a living, pulsating tradition that bridges generations, inspiring tomorrow’s artistic vision.