"The Athens Cemetery encompasses the entire movement of modern sculpture." With these words, the great sculptor Thomas Thomopoulos captured the unique essence of the First Cemetery of Athens over a century ago. As part of the This is Athens City Festival 2026, archaeologist and certified guide Michalis Giohalas will lead us through this extraordinary open-air
The project "Old Souls, New City" brings a breath of renewal to the neighbourhoods of Athens, transforming public space into a living stage where the past meets contemporary aesthetics. Amidst rails of curated vintage finds and book pages filled with history, the city reconnects with its roots through a fresh and sustainable lens. The experience
The University, the Academy, and the National Library form the absolute crown jewels of our city’s architecture, the ultimate Trilogy that defined the look of modern Athens. But there’s way more to these marble marvels than just a good photo op. As part of this year’s This is Athens City Festival, we are hitting the
The grand comeback of Varvakios Market arrives with a disruptive transformation. The This is Athens City Festival 2026 invites us into a setting reminiscent of Blade Runner. Starting at 18:00, Stefanos Konstantinidis’ FONOPTIKON project lands in Athens’ central market, presenting a live audiovisual experience where beats and visuals electrify the venue’s traditional aura. In a
Red thread tied, wrapped around a doll. A doll that gave birth to many more. Another that travelled far enough to reach the king’s nose. And yet another that spins red threads out of nothing, winding them onto a spindle and setting it in motion… for the story to begin. A musical storytelling performance dedicated
Renowned historian Menelaos Charalampidis leads an immersive journey through the heart of the occupied city, tracing the footsteps of one of the most dynamic resistance movements in Europe. This isn't just a history lesson; it’s a vivid reclamation of the city's soul. As you walk, the routes of protesters, strikers, and saboteurs who defied the
If you’ve ever wondered what Athens sounded like before the hum of motorbikes and the thump of basslines, follow this group of traditional kantadoroi (troubadours). They are taking to the cobbled streets below the Acropolis to revive the lost art of the Athenian serenade. Love songs and melodies once flooded the city’s historic neighborhoods, serving
Greek radio MENTA 88 FM returns to the This is Athens City Festival, once again leaving its distinct musical mark on the city's biggest celebration. This time, they are bringing a true heavyweight of Greek songwriting to the stage: the legendary Pantelis Thalassinos. With a career- spanning decades, Thalassinos has mastered the art of bridging
Parko Eleftherias is being transformed into a sprawling open-air hub of energy and well-being for this year’s This is Athens City Festival. At Fitness Sessions, movement is a celebration; here, exercise isn't about competition—it’s about self-care, community, and recharging your batteries right in the heart of the city. Set within one of Athens’ most refreshing
The National Archaeological Museum Courtyard is an incredibly "Athenian" setting, an atmospheric, hidden garden that will fill with the unmistakable sound and timeless, bohemian spirit of the legendary Greek band Cheimerinoi Kolymvites (literally "The Winter Swimmers"). They’ll be performing songs that speak of love, solitude, good company, and the quiet magic of the night. These
History is often written in the singular, but the soul of Athens was defended by many. As part of the Athens City Festival 2026, historian Menelaos Charalampidis invites us on a specialized commemorative walk through the city streets, illuminating a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter: the defiant role of women during the Occupation. Through personal
Red thread tied, wrapped around a doll. A doll that gave birth to many more. Another that travelled so far it reached and stuck to the king’s nose. And yet another that spins red threads out of nothing, winds them onto a spindle and sets it turning… for the story to begin. A musical storytelling
During the This is Athens City Festival, photos and video footage may be captured for marketing and publicity purposes, to be used on the Festival’s website and social media channels and/or in third-party publications.
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