#AthensFestival2023 #CultureFest #ArtsAndMusic #VisitAthens #CulturalExperience
Are you looking for a unique cultural experience in one of the most ancient and vibrant cities in the world? Do you want to enjoy a variety of music, theatre, dance and visual arts performances at stunning venues with a rich history and amazing acoustics? If so, you should definitely plan your next trip to Athens and join the Athens Festival 2023!
The Athens Festival is the city’s annual arts festival and a highlight of the Greek summer calendar. With a legacy that spans more than sixty years, today it incorporates a full programme of music, theatre, dance and visual arts. Performances at the two ancient theatres of the Odeon Herodes Atticus and the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus are highlights of the festival. Both are famous for their exemplary acoustics and many of the great works of classical playwrights, such as Sophocles, premiered at the Epidaurus Theatre in ancient times.
The 2023 festival reopens to live audiences, with performances by international musicians at the landmark stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus beneath the Acropolis, including Sigur Rós, Nils Frahm and John Cale. Audiences can also expect performances by the Greek National Opera, including Giacomo Puccini’s, Madama Butterfly and Giuseppe Verdi’s, Nabucco. Greek singer and songwriter Yiannis Aggelakas will also perform from his latest album. Avant-garde stage director Philippe Quesne will close the programme at the Odeon on the 4th August with ‘The Garden of Delights’, his latest theatre production inspired by the famous painting by Dutch painter Jérôme Bosch.
At the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, eight productions will be performed two days a week from July to August, by ancient Greek playwrights Euripides, Sophocles and Aristophanes. This year, the Festival invites German theatre director Frank Castorf to Epidaurus for the first time to direct Euripides’ Medea. The innovative director, will use improvisation and his highly imaginative theatrical language to create a modern Greek adaptation of this ancient tragedy.
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Athens during the Festival, be sure to attend at least one performance at any of these ancient theatres for a truly unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience.
But that’s not all! Athens has so much more to offer to its visitors, especially during summer. Here are some tips for top experiences for a 4 days stay and proposals for which Athens Festival events attend:
Day 1: Take a day trip to Delphi and marvel at the ancient oracle site. Learn about its history and mythology at the museum. On your way back, stop by Arachova or Galaxidi for some local delicacies. In the evening, watch Wasps by Aristophanes at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.
Day 2: Explore the Acropolis and its museum, then enjoy a relaxing stroll around Plaka and Monastiraki. In the evening, watch Works by Tchaikovsky and Grieg at the Odeon Herodes Atticus.
Day 3: Visit the National Archaeological Museum and admire its impressive collection of ancient artefacts. Then take a bus or train to Piraeus and catch a ferry to Aegina island. Spend some time at the beach or visit the Temple of Aphaia. Return to Athens in time for Kraftwerk Live at the Odeon Herodes Atticus.
Day 4: Discover some of Athens’ hidden gems, such as Anafiotika, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center or Benaki Museum. In the afternoon, relax at one of Athens’ many rooftop bars or cafes and enjoy the view of the city. In the evening, watch Gilbert Gil & Family Live at the Odeon Herodes Atticus.
Athens has something for everyone: history, culture, nature, gastronomy and entertainment. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Athens Festival 2023 and book your tickets now!
