This is Athens City Festival

Athens’ Hispanic Film Festival (FeCHA) at Aello
2026-05-21 20:30, 2026-05-22 20:30, 2026-05-23 20:30 (Europe/Athens) | Open Air Cinema “Aello”, Patission 140, Athens, Athens, 112 57, Greece
The finest moments of Spanish-language cinema return to the city for their 10th edition, filling an entire week in May with images, passion and emotion. Innovative directors, internationally acclaimed actors and inventive screenwriters come together with an enthusiastic audience, bringing to Athens an authentic atmosphere from Spain, Chile, Argentina, Cuba and other beloved countries of Latin America.

Through screenings that highlight both contemporary filmmaking and the rich cinematic traditions of these countries, Athens is transformed into a vast “cinema” celebrating the diversity and expressive power of Spanish-speaking culture.

Screenings will take place at the open-air cinemas Ellinis Cinemax and Aello Cinemax, as well as at the Instituto Cervantes and the Hellenic American Union.

The anniversary programme includes 23 feature films and 13 short films, offering a comprehensive look at contemporary cinema from Spain and Latin America.

Programme Highlights

Opening Film: The festival officially opens with the highly anticipated satirical comedy Homo Sapiens? (Homo Argentum), Argentina’s biggest commercial success of 2025.

Special Tributes: A tribute to the late director Fabián Bielinsky, alongside the Diversidad section featuring queer short films in collaboration with Athens Pride.

Closing Film: The festival concludes with A Poet (Un Poeta) from Colombia, presented in the presence of lead actor Ubeimar Rios.

International Guests: Distinguished filmmakers including Helena Taberna, Asier Urbieta and Albert Pintó will attend the festival, participating in masterclasses and audience discussions.

Information & Free Events

Masterclass: Saturday 23 May at the Hellenic Open University.

Free Events: 28 May at the Hellenic American Union (docuFeCHA & cortoFeCHA) and 29 May on the rooftop of the Instituto Cervantes.

Online Screenings: Available from 29 to 31 May via www.fecha.gr

Tickets: Advance sales begin on 8 May via more.com and from 14 May at the cinema box offices.

*Due to forecast late-afternoon rainfall on Friday 22 May, Saturday 23 May and Sunday 24 May, screenings at the open-air Ellinis Cinemax (29 Kifisias Avenue) will be transferred to the indoor theatres of Aello Cinemax (140 Patission Street) on the same dates and at the same times.

All tickets already purchased online or through advance booking, as well as invitations, will remain valid for the new venue without requiring any changes.

For the more adventurous cinephiles, a covered area with a capacity of 100 people will remain available at Ellinis Cinemax, where the films will also be screened for those who choose not to attend the screenings at Aello Cinemax.

*The presentations by the Spanish directors will take place at Aello Cinemax and not at Ellinis Cinemax.

In the event of rain, screenings at the open-air Aello Cinemax will also be transferred to an indoor theatre within the same venue, at the same times.

Connect Athens: Building Bridges for the Mental Health of At-Risk Youth
2026-05-22 17:00 - 20:00 | City of Athens Cultural Centre, 50 Akadimias, Athens, 106 79, Greece
The This is Athens City Festival joins forces with IASIS (Civil Non-Profit Organisation) and the Connect Athens Youth Centre through the second edition of the Connect Athens Festival, contributing to raising awareness around the mental health of young people experiencing vulnerability and social exclusion.

Through the event “Building Bridges for the Mental Health of At-Risk Youth”, it brings to the forefront contemporary challenges such as loneliness, uncertainty, lack of purpose, and the emergence of delinquent behaviour. In the discussion panels, young people themselves join their voices with experts and institutional representatives.

The aim of the event is to transform personal experience into collective action, linking the needs of young people with concrete policies and practices at both national and European level. At a time when social cohesion is being tested, the Connect Athens Festival highlights that vulnerability is not an individual issue, but a shared challenge that calls for connection, understanding and meaningful support in order to create an inclusive future for every young person in the city.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Guided Tour at The Maria Callas Museum
2026-05-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Maria Callas Museum, Mitropoleos 44, Athens, Athens, 105 63, Greece
The Maria Callas Museum invites us on a moving tour into the world of the 20th century’s leading soprano. Through a specially designed guided experience, visitors have the unique opportunity to discover the most iconic moments of her career, while exploring the unknown, personal aspects of the journey that established her as a global opera icon.

The narrative brings her path to life beyond standard exhibition texts, illuminating her artistic legacy and complex personality directly and experientially. This is an experience tailored to its audience, offering a deep look at the woman and the artist who changed lyric theatre forever, right in the heart of the city she loved so dearly.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Biscuits at the Museum!
2026-05-22 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-23 11:30 - 12:30 | Hellenic Children’s Museum, Vas. Georgiou Β΄ 19, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
The Hellenic Children’s Museum is opening up its most delicious exhibit for a hands-on kitchen takeover. If you’re looking for a brilliant way to keep the kids entertained (and well-fed) this May, “Kitchen: Discovering the World of the Biscuit” is exactly where you need to be.

In this “Biscuits at the Museum!” workshop, our younger festival-goers get to swap the sketchbook for a rolling pin. It’s not just a baking lesson; it’s a magical journey into the world of pastry through the eyes of a museum.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Tilda Swinton: Ongoing
2026-05-22 18:00 - 23:00 | Onassis Ready, 2 Strati Tsirka, Ag. Ioannis Rentis, 182 33, Greece
Marking its fifth year with a great collaboration with Onassis Stegi, we offer an encounter with one of the season’s most keenly discussed artistic propositions. At its centre is Tilda Swinton, a figure who has long moved with deliberate, almost defiant ease between cinema, fashion, and the visual arts, each appearance less a performance than a considered cultural gesture.

The exhibition Ongoing, presented at the recently inaugurated Onassis Ready, resists the tidy framing of a retrospective. Instead, it unfolds as an active, evolving dialogue between Swinton and a close circle of collaborators. Among them Pedro Almodóvar, Luca Guadagnino, Jim Jarmusch, Joanna Hogg, Tim Walker, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Olivier Saillard, and Derek Jarman. Through short films, installations, and photographic works, the exhibition gently dismantles and reassembles the layers of her artistic identity, moving between the dreamlike and the intimately personal. The result is a multi-stranded exhibition that illuminates her rich creative journey and her profound connection to contemporary art.

20 invitations are available from the Onassis Stegi for 22, 24, 29, and 31 May – 5 invitations per day.

Bookings open one week before each event at 12:00 noon and are made via this page.

ONX.Showcase.Athens.2026: Human in the Loop
2026-05-22 18:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-23 18:00 - 23:00 | Onassis Ready, 2 Strati Tsirka, Ag. Ioannis Rentis, 182 33, Greece
Onassis Foundation presents for the first time in Athens the immersive art exhibition ONX Showcase, a celebration of creativity, technological innovation, and new forms of artistic expression. Since its founding in 2020, ONX, the global digital cultures platform of the Onassis Foundation, has supported artists experimenting at the boundaries of art, science, and emerging technologies. Centred around the thematic axis “Human in the Loop”, the exhibition reflects on what it means to remain human in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, seeking out the handmade and the analogue within a deeply technological environment.

The programme features ten works from the Onassis ONX and AiR ecosystem, six new commissions from the ONX Seeds programme, and works from the Onassis Collection by Andreas Angelidakis, Noemi Iglesias Barrios, Spyros Poros, and Theo Triantafyllidis. Alongside the exhibition, a series of talks and professional gatherings bring together artists, technologists, curators, producers, and cultural practitioners, foregrounding the emerging artistic languages shaping the future of digital culture.

With the participation of internationally acclaimed artists whose work has been presented at festivals including Sundance Film Festival, Ars Electronica, SXSW, and Venice International Film Festival, ONX.Showcase.Athens. 2026 offers a rare opportunity to experience immersive art in its most advanced and transformative form.

Participating artists include Gabriel Barcia-Colombo, Adam Cole, Marc Da Costa, Dionysios, Andrew Thomas Huang, Gregor Kuschmirz, Giannis Kranidiotis, Marion Lasserre, Zisis Bliatkas, Matthew Niederhauser, Giorgos Papafigos, Sarah Rothberg, Ali Santana, sister sylvester, Ivona Tau, Ontroerend Goed, and Playfool.

Pantheon pres. Street Party at Moxy Athens City
2026-05-22 18:00 - 23:30 | Moxy Athens City, Stadiou 65, Athens, Athens, 105 51, Greece
Pantheon takes over the heart of the city for an explosive free open-air street party set to transform central Athens. On Friday 22 May, from 18:00 to 23:30, the industrial-style arcade of Moxy Athens City in Omonia will become the ultimate urban dance destination, filling the Athenian night with house, techno and electronic sounds.
At the centre of the “new” Omonia, where urban culture meets contemporary design, Pantheon sets up its decks beneath the lights of the arcade, framed by the distinctive architecture of Moxy and the renowned hospitality of SWOT Hospitality. The soundtrack of the evening will feature electrifying DJ sets by Nick Matthew, Voices of Valley, Andianna, Panayotee and Soldo.
Alongside the music, the energy of the street comes alive through urban art performances, live painting and tattoo sessions, while refreshing signature cocktails complete the event’s vibrant atmosphere. An authentic open-air gathering dedicated to Athens’ electronic music scene, redefining the city’s nightlife exactly where its heart beats strongest.

Maria Kritikou: New Realms
2026-05-22 20:00 - 22:30 | Art Zone 42, Vasileos Konstantinou 42, Athens, 116 35, Greece
Art Zone 42 presents the new solo exhibition by Maria Kritikou New Realms, offering Athens’ art-loving public a distinctive and dynamic visual experience that redefines our relationship with both the natural and the imagined landscape.

The art historian Evangelia Kairaki notes, Maria Kritikou’s painting is driven by an intensely interactive and energetic relationship with the canvas, recalling the philosophy of Action Painting. The artist moves freely within an undefined and expansive space, where organic forms, aquatic worlds and dreamlike environments undergo radical transformation. Rather than pursuing a faithful representation of nature, Kritikou embraces a Taoist, almost mystical interpretation of the visible world, bringing the environment into dialogue with the inner, spiritual dimensions of human experience.

A compelling visual journey that invites visitors to discover evocative new horizons in the heart of Athens.

Opening: Friday 22 May, 20:00–22:30

Exhibition Duration: 22–30 May

Opening Hours: Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 15:00–21:00, Wednesday & Saturday: 12:00–16:00, Monday & Sunday: Closed

Athens’ Hispanic Film Festival (FeCHA) at Ellinis Europa Cinemas
2026-05-22 20:30, 2026-05-23 20:30 | Open Air Cinema “Ellinis”, Leof. Kifissias 29, Athens, Athens, 115 23, Greece

Studying the Human Figure with Jeff Koons – ‘Shells and Shine: A Contemporary Venus!’
2026-05-23 11:00 - 13:00 | Museum of Cycladic Art, Neofytou Douka 4, Athens, Athens, 106 74, Greece
Young creators (aged 7–11) embark on an exciting journey through time, starting from the timeless figure of Venus. From the Paleolithic Venus of Lespugue to Jeff Koons’ dazzling contemporary reinterpretation, children discover how art transforms across the centuries. Guided by visual artist Vivian Emmanouilidou and educator Magda Athanasiou, participants experiment with volume and texture, creating three-dimensional compositions made of shells that are transformed into radiant, contemporary sculptures. This hands-on experience connects prehistoric expression with pop aesthetics, encouraging imagination and free artistic creation through play. The workshop is only available in Greek.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Blooming Kypseli
2026-05-23 11:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-24 11:00 - 22:00 | Kypseli Municipal Market, Kypseli Municipal Market, Athens, Athens, 113 61, Greece
Kypseli Municipal Market puts on its festive spring colours and invites the public to Blooming Kypseli, a two-day celebration dedicated to the world of flowers and plants. For an entire weekend, the historic Market is transformed into a blooming hub of creativity, where designers and emerging Greek brands present plants, botanical products, natural cosmetics, as well as handmade jewellery and clothing inspired by nature. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take part in original workshops celebrating the joy of making and creativity, while music selections, food and refreshing drinks complete the experience, turning Kypseli into the ultimate spring destination in the city.

Guided Tour at the National Historical Museum
2026-05-23 12:00 - 13:00 | National Historical Museum, Stadiou 13, Athens, Athens, 105 61, Greece
Step inside the grand, stately building with the bronze statue of Kolokotronis on horseback out front. It’s nothing less than the Old Parliament House, the very heart of Greece’s early political acts, and it is throwing open its doors for the This is Athens City Festival.

This isn’t just a wander through a dusty museum; it’s a guided journey through the National Historical Museum. You’ll be stepping into the original debating chamber where the big decisions that shaped modern Greece were hammered out. It’s an atmospheric spot that keeps history grounded in the centre of the city. Our guide will lead you through a stunning collection that charts the Greek story from the fall of Constantinople through to the 20th century. You’ll see personal heirlooms and everyday objects from the Greek Revolution, intricate traditional costumes that are basically 19th-century high fashion, historic weaponry, and archival treasures that tell the story of a nation finding its feet.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Pictures of an Exhibition
2026-05-23 12:00 - 13:30 | The City of Athens Gallery, Municipal Gallery of Athens, Athens, Athens, 104 36, Greece
Music and painting meet in a unique collaboration titled “Pictures of an Exhibition.” Composer and pianist Christos Papageorgiou, inspired by the work of Nikolas Klironomos, creates and performs a series of compositions that “translate” the visual arts into sound.

For 70 minutes, the audience is immersed in an atmospheric experience where each musical phrase acts as a commentary on the artist’s visual world. With an international career and profound musical education, Papageorgiou establishes a living dialogue between the arts, where different artistic languages unite into a single, multisensory experience.

Reservations open one week before the event at 12:00.

Guided tour of the War Museum for Kids
2026-05-23 12:30 - 13:30 | War Museum, Rizari 2-4, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
As part of the This is Athens City Festival, the War Museum opens its collections and invites us on a journey through Greece’s military history and cultural heritage. Through specially designed thematic tours, visitors will have the opportunity to discover iconic exhibits and lesser-known narratives that shed light on the Greek past.

The activity is intended for children aged 8 and above, accompanied by one adult.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Guided Tour: Dimitra Siaterli’s "Cohesive Networks"
2026-05-23 13:00 - 14:00 | The City of Athens Gallery, Municipal Gallery of Athens, Athens, Athens, 104 36, Greece
We invite you to a special guided tour of Dimitra Siaterli’s solo exhibition, a journey that peels back the deeper layers of a visual world spanning four decades. As we move among intricate meshes, perforated sculptures, and engravings, a whole “labyrinth” of tiny human figures is gradually revealed.

This is a universe that speaks to our fundamental need to connect, to belong, and to communicate. It is a profound, experiential tour that brings the audience closer to the artist’s work, illuminating the importance of the “cohesive networks” that unite us in a shared present.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Guided Tours of the Cavafy Archive
2026-05-23 13:30 - 17:30 | Cavafy Archive, 16B Frynichou, Plaka, 105 58, Greece
This year, the This is Athens City Festival marks its fifth anniversary with a truly special collaboration. We’ve teamed up with the Onassis Foundation to invite you on a deeply personal journey through the life of one of the world’s most influential poets. For the first time as part of the festival, we’re stepping inside a stunning 1910 listed building on Phrynichou Street. Since late 2023, this spot in the heart of Plaka has become the new home of the Cavafy Archive, and now, its doors are opening for a series of exclusive guided tours.

It’s a rare chance to get up close and personal with the world of C.P. Cavafy by wandering through five specially curated rooms that recreate the atmosphere of his legendary home in Alexandria. Among the treasures, you will find personal relics such as original furniture, mementos, and even the poet’s death mask, alongside a remarkable collection of 966 surviving volumes in the library. The experience also showcases inspired art, with works ranging from Theodore Ralli and Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika to contemporary artists moved by his poetry. Perhaps most poignantly, the tour reveals the universe of Cavafy’s Athens through personal diaries and glowing letters from literary greats like Angelos Sikelianos, revealing the poet’s deep, timeless connection to this city.

To celebrate this new partnership, the Onassis Foundation is offering 20 free guided tours throughout the month for festival-goers. It’s a wonderful opportunity to dive deep into history, memory, and world-class art.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Connect Athens: All Day Street Festival
2026-05-23 16:00 - 21:00 | Fokionos Negri Pedestrian Street, 48-58 Fokionos Negri, Athens, 113 61, Greece
The This is Athens City Festival in collaboration with IASIS (Civil Non-Profit Organisation) and the Connect Athens Youth Centre, through the second edition of the Connect Athens Festival, is organising a full-day celebration on the pedestrian street of Fokionos Negri.

Following our “Building Bridges for the Mental Health of At-Risk Youth” event on 22 May, Connect Athens is bringing the conversation from the panels straight to the heart of the city. Under the motto #bringyourgrandma, we’re putting theory into practice, turning “”connection”” into a shared experience for every generation.

Dive into empathy-building activities and original AI workshops inspired by the memories of our elders. Catch street theatre, global dance performances, and an open forum featuring influencers and public figures sharing the stories that unite us. We’re wrapping things up with a massive music-and-dance party featuring multicultural bands and DJs.

It’s all about proving that mental well-being and acceptance are built within the community. When generations meet, we create a safe, bright space for everyone.

Guided tour of the War Museum for Adults
2026-05-23 20:00 - 21:00 | War Museum, Rizari 2-4, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
As part of the This is Athens City Festival, the War Museum opens its collections and invites us on a journey through Greece’s military history and cultural heritage. Through specially designed thematic tours, visitors will have the opportunity to discover iconic exhibits and lesser-known narratives that shed light on the Greek past.

The activity is intended for adults and for families with children aged 12 and above.

This activity is only available in Greek.

En Lefko Spring Party
2026-05-23 22:00 | Athens Conservatoire, Vas. Georgiou Β΄ 17-19, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
Spring in Athens has been synonymous with one name for years: the En Lefko Spring Party. For the third consecutive year, the team from En Lefko 87.7 is leaving the studio behind and heading to the heart of the city, this time taking over the iconic Ω2 venue at the Athens Conservatoire.

Set against the striking architecture of the Despotopoulos building, the night immediately exudes a contemporary, elegant, and unapologetically dance-driven energy. En Lefko’s beloved radio producers bring their most subversive tracks, signature picks, and the creative flair that has made the station a byword for a certain Athenian je ne sais quoi. For a few hours, the Conservatoire becomes a living, breathing cell of celebration, a space devoted to the city’s sound and our collective urge to dance into spring.

Wellness Festival - In your Greenery, I am Reborn
2026-05-24 09:00 - 20:00 | National Garden, Vas. Amalias 1, Athens, Athens, 105 57, Greece
This activity is only available in Greek.

“GREEN ATHENS | National Garden – Metropolitan Green,” in collaboration with the This is Athens City Festival, invites you for the 2nd consecutive year to a unique wellness escape in the capital’s most enchanting ecosystem. Under the guidance of Nicki Petroulaki and a team of acclaimed professionals, the National Garden transforms for two days into an open temple of self-improvement, offering a rare opportunity to renew body and mind beneath the shade of its historic trees.

A holistic journey that combines movement with inner peace: from dynamic Yoga and Pilates classes to deep meditation and talks on self-awareness and personal growth. The experience is completed with soul-stirring musical journeys, creating an atmosphere of true connection with ourselves and nature.

We await you to share the joy of community, free breathing, and well-being, in a comprehensive program open to all, without restrictions and free of charge. Give yourself the pause you need and experience Athens… in its greenest and brightest version!

Programme

Sunday

09:00: Panos Pantios / Assisted Stretch – Core & Mobility Exercises

Imagine being able to move freely, without pain or stiffness holding you back. This is the beauty of personalized assisted stretching. Unlike traditional techniques, assisted stretching involves guidance through a series of stretches tailored to your body’s specific needs and limitations.

Panos Pantios

An expert in athletic performance and rehabilitation with studies in Sports Medicine in Germany and a background as a professional ice hockey player. He designs strategic programs combining strength with a healthy lifestyle.

10:00: Panos Kontis / Handstand Fundamentals – Building a Proper Handstand

A class for all those who love the challenge of being upside down or would like to start. We will explain the basic guide points for finding balance on our hands and focus on strengthening the specific muscle groups necessary for progress. The class concludes with partner exercises toward the handstand.

Panos Kontis

With over ten years in therapy and kinetic evolution, Panos started with Thai massage and Osteopathy. Fascinated by Yoga, he teaches it as therapeutic exercise to help people better perceive their body’s capabilities.

11:00: Adriani Strigou / Total Body Balance – Integrated Program of Strength, Posture, and Flexibility

An integrated program focusing on functional strengthening and restoring correct posture. Combining postural exercises and targeted stretching, the practice aims to restore physical balance and relieve daily tension.

Adriani Strigou

A graduate of TEFAA Athens and a former champion swimmer. Since 2000, she has been active in the fitness industry and owns “Feel Better Kifisia,” focusing on a lifestyle that combines physical well-being with daily vitality.

12:00: Eleftheria Georgiou / Let’s Get Physical Pilates – Dynamic Pilates with an Uplifting Beat

A dynamic version of Pilates combining strength with continuous flow and rhythm. Accompanied by upbeat music, the body works through controlled yet intense exercises designed to challenge endurance and stabilize the core.

Eleftheria Georgiou

A Physical Education Professor specializing in therapeutic swimming. She is the head of training for future Pilates teachers at Base Training, focusing on functional strengthening and improving quality of life through conscious movement.

13:00: Maria Papadopoulou & Evangelos Aik / Yin Within & Bhakti Sounds – Peace, Sound, Heart, Song, Union

A practice dedicated to relief and rest, representing the gentlest form of Yoga. The experience concludes with “song from the heart.” Accompanied by live musical instruments by Evangelos Apostolopoulos, movement gives way to sound, creating an atmosphere of collective connection and inner peace.

Maria Papadopoulou

With 25 years of experience in yoga and meditation, Maria specializes in holistic well-being support. She is the creator of OLON Holistic Studio and a podcaster, providing practical tools for stress management and mindfulness.

14:00 – 15:00 Break

15:00: Katerina Karageorgiou & Stamatia Andrikou / Body and Face Yoga – Releasing Tension from Upper Body and Face!

An integrated practice aiming for the total release of tension. By combining targeted exercises and breathing, we restore inner balance and tone the muscles of the face and body.

Katerina Karageorgiou

A graduate of TEFAA Thessaloniki, she specialized through YogaWorks and founded Sama Yoga in Samos, focusing on creative communication and holistic empowerment.

Stamatia Andrikou

An internationally certified Face Yoga Instructor, her approach combines aesthetic acupuncture with Sculptural Face Lifting for natural rejuvenation and glow.

16:00: Loukia Papa / The Art of Manifestation – Embodying Our Higher Version

A transcendental experience calling us to move beyond linear logic. Through quantum visualization, we explore the possibility of breaking free from limiting beliefs and architects of our reality.

Loukia Papa

Loukia specializes in connecting neuroscience with quantum change practices, guiding individuals toward self-actualization and inner freedom.

17:00: Patty Petropoulou / #ShallWeDance? – 5Rhythms Movement Meditation

A free-movement practice focusing on reconnecting with the body and releasing it from the flow of thoughts. “Meditation in motion” becomes the vehicle for calm and mental clarity. No dance experience is required.

Patty Petropoulou

The only certified 5Rhythms® teacher in Greece (trained in the USA), she has served the practice since 2011, teaching across Europe and connecting conscious movement with personal and professional leadership.

18:00: Stavros Bamakos / Full-Body Circuit – Bodyweight Training

A high-intensity program focusing on holistic training using exclusively body weight. A structured circuit aimed at improving functional strength, endurance, and overall fitness.

Stavros Bamakos

A graduate of TEFAA Athens and owner of Blackbox Training Room. He has served as a Strength & Conditioning Coach for A1 female basketball, focusing on maximizing athletic performance.

19:00: Niki Petroulaki / Heart & Lyra Flow – Union of Heart & Cretan Lyra – Tradition and Core

A unique movement experience uniting the body with the heart and the circle of life. We breathe and move together, creating a living space of connection and collective energy. The experience culminates with a music collaboration: the primal sound of the Cretan Lyra meets the flow of exercise.

Niki Petroulaki

With over 25 years of experience, Niki is a physical education professor dedicated to holistic wellness. Founder of “Power House Project” and “Wellness Rituals,” she organizes high-level retreats and events, combining exercise with personal transformation.

Georgia Benioudaki

Georgia Benioudaki, an Early Childhood Education student in Athens, has been involved in music since the age of six. The guitar, the Cretan lyre, singing, and traditional Cretan dances define her creative identity.
Monday
10:00 – Andreas Polydoros – Wake Up Yoga | Yoga for All
Wake Up Yoga is a gentle yet energising class designed to help the body and mind awaken naturally. Through breathing exercises, soft stretches and flowing movement, the practice activates the body’s energy, improves circulation and creates a sense of clarity and wellbeing for the rest of the day. Suitable for all levels, including beginners.
Andreas Polydoros
Andreas Polydoros discovered yoga through his travels and personal search for experiences around the world — a practice that gradually became a defining part of his life. Over the years, he devoted himself fully to its study and practice, and today he is a certified Yoga Alliance teacher (500 Hours YTT) through the House of Yoga under Savvas Giantsis.
11:00 – Stamatia Andrikou – Face Yoga | Natural Face Lift
Instructor Stamatia Andrikou leads a rejuvenating Face Yoga session, guiding participants into the world of natural anti-ageing and holistic facial care. Through specialised exercises and massage techniques, the class activates facial muscles, stimulates circulation and releases everyday tension. Stamatia creates a calming atmosphere of wellbeing and relaxation, helping participants discover the secrets to brighter, firmer and naturally refreshed skin.
12:00 – Eva Tripolitsioti – Energy Yoga
This variation of Yoga focuses on Energy Yoga, a practice combining gentle movement, conscious breathing and a dynamic flow that fills both body and mind with renewed energy. Through this sequence of exercises, participants are encouraged to release stress, awaken the body and reconnect with their inner balance, beginning the day with vitality and mental clarity.
Eva Tripolitsioti
Eva Tripolitsioti is a certified Yoga teacher specialising in Hatha and Vinyasa Flow, trained in India and at YogaWorks, where she also served as an assistant trainer. Teaching since 2005, she specialises in programmes for children, pregnant women and special population groups. From 2014 to 2022, she founded and directed the Anahata Shuddhi studio, while also collaborating with Holmes Place. Today, she organises holistic wellness retreats and workshops, while also working as an executive for a German health and nutrition company.
13:00 – Tania Saiti – Yin & Yoga Nidra
Tania Saiti invites participants to experience a deeply therapeutic Yin & Yoga Nidra session — a practice of complete relaxation and inner restoration. The class begins with Yin Yoga, using soft, passive postures held for extended periods in order to stretch the deeper connective tissues and release accumulated physical tension. The experience concludes with Yoga Nidra, often referred to as “psychic sleep”, a guided meditative state that fully calms the nervous system and revitalises the mind. It is an ideal refuge for releasing stress and restoring harmony between body and spirit.
Tania Saiti
With a focus on the healing power of stillness, Saiti leads Yoga and Yoga Nidra practices that offer refuge from the intensity of daily life. Through her teaching, she cultivates deep relaxation and inner connection, creating a safe space for awareness and balance. Her aim is to restore harmony and encourage energetic wellbeing in every participant.
14:00–15:00 – Break
15:00 – Sofi Paschali – E-motion | Feel the Beat, Feel Your Emotions
Sofi Paschali invites participants to experience E-motion / Feel the Beat, Feel Your Emotions, a revitalising session that connects movement with the inner emotional world. Through rhythm and flow, the class encourages the release of emotions and the harmonisation of body and spirit, inviting participants to listen to their inner pulse and transform energy into expression. It is an invitation to feel the power of rhythm and surrender to a journey of self-awareness and wellbeing, where emotion becomes movement and movement becomes healing.
Sofi Paschali
One of Greece’s most recognised and experienced Yoga and Pilates instructors, Paschali has maintained a long-standing presence in the fields of fitness and wellness. With studies in physical education and a specialisation in alternative exercise methods, she has dedicated her career to promoting a holistic lifestyle that combines physical empowerment with mental balance.
16:00 – Marietta Filippa – Pilates Body & Mind Flow | Pilates with Flow
A Pilates programme suitable for all levels, combining movement, breath and flow to strengthen the body and promote overall wellbeing. Through core, balance, flexibility and posture-focused exercises, participants improve their physical condition, mobility and connection with their bodies. Rooted in the philosophy of mindful movement, the class offers a holistic exercise experience that encourages everyday wellbeing, body awareness and relaxation.
Marietta Filippa
Marietta Filippa is an experienced and certified instructor dedicated to wellness and holistic movement practices. With a deep passion for Yoga and therapeutic techniques, she guides participants with care and mindfulness, focusing on the connection between body, breath and spirit. Through her classes, she creates a safe and supportive environment where participants can release daily tension, reconnect with themselves and rediscover their inner balance, calmness and natural vitality.
17:00 – Christina Pikoula – MindGamesStop sabotaging yourself and make your mindset your greatest ally.
How many times have you felt that, despite wanting to move forward, something inside keeps holding you back? In this interactive session, participants will explore how thoughts influence decisions and outcomes, identify patterns of self-sabotage and learn how to transform them into personal strength. Through simple exercises and practical “mind games”, the session empowers participants to turn their mindset into a powerful ally for everyday life and personal growth.
Christina Pikoula
Christina Pikoula supports people in overcoming internal obstacles and unlocking their full potential. As the voice behind the Win Win Podcast, and through her talks and sessions, she inspires audiences to take action, push beyond their limits and consciously create the life they envision.
18:00 – Niki Petroulaki – Balance | Finding Balance Through Movement and Flow
Renowned instructor Niki Petroulaki leads Balance, a dynamic session centred on discovering harmony through movement and flow. Through a carefully designed sequence of fluid transitions and postures, this practice both challenges and strengthens the body, while cultivating concentration and inner stability. It is an opportunity to synchronise breath with movement, release stress and reconnect with your centre, leaving the session with a deep sense of harmony, strength and mental clarity.
Niki Petroulaki
With more than 25 years of experience, Petroulaki is a physical education teacher dedicated to holistic wellbeing and physical empowerment. She is the founder of the Power House Project, a pioneering Yoga, Pilates and Functional Fitness studio operating as a community of experiential learning, as well as Wellness Rituals, a platform organising high-level wellness retreats and events in Greece and abroad. Through her ongoing training in global wellness practices, she creates integrated experiences combining exercise, meditation and personal transformation.
19:00 – Thundering Cymbals – Sound Bath Experience
The Sound Bath Experience is a ritual-like journey beyond the boundaries of traditional music — a unique alchemy of sound that resonates directly with the soul. Through the healing vibrations of instruments such as crystal singing bowls and gongs, participants are immersed in a “bath” of pure frequencies designed to calm the nervous system, slow brainwave activity and release emotional blockages.
This deeply meditative and restorative experience offers an ideal refuge for complete physical relaxation, mental clarity and reconnection with inner harmony.
Energy Healings

Within the framework of the festival, you will have the opportunity to experience firsthand energy practices that support relaxation, recovery, and the overall balance of the body.

Pranic Healing

Try a complimentary Pranic Healing session with certified therapists. A non-invasive technique that helps reduce muscle tension, stiffness, and strain, while enhancing recovery and focus. A freer body. Clearer movement. Better recovery.

Orgon PEMF Alignment

A modern approach that combines Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) with energy balancing. It supports:
• reduction of inflammation
• tissue repair and regeneration
• deep relaxation
• enhancement of overall vitality

It activates the body’s natural ability to recharge and find its balance.

Live the Experience

Discover how simple techniques can make an immediate difference in your body and your energy.

Try it at the Festival.

Interactive Experiences at the Museum of Philhellenism
2026-05-24 10:00 - 17:30 | Philhellenism Museum, 12 Zisimopoulou, Athens, 115 24, Greece
The Museum of Philhellenism, a unique landmark of its kind worldwide, opens its doors to the audience of the This is Athens City Festival for two special Sundays with free admission. Visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the history of the philhellenic movement through a comprehensive experience that combines cinema with a classic guided tour.
The programme includes:

Screening: “PHILHELLENES” (30’):A journey through the philhellenic movement, from its origins in the Renaissance to the liberation of Greece (in Greek with English subtitles).
Guided tour of the Permanent Collection:A tour across the Museum’s four floors, featuring more than 450 artefacts. Among the exhibits, visitors will admire rare personal belongings of Lord Byron, paintings and sculptures, intricate philhellenic clocks and porcelains, as well as period weaponry and historical documents that narrate the remarkable contribution of the Philhellenes to the rebirth of Greece.

Duration: 90 minutes

10:00–11:30
12:00–13:30
14:00–15:30
16:00–17:30

Free admission with advance booking required. Limited availability. To register, please send your full name, affiliation, mobile contact number, and email to info@phmus.org.
This activity is only available in Greek.

From Claude Monet to Vincent van Gogh: A Journey Among Irises
2026-05-24 10:30 - 12:00 | Museum of Greek Children’s Art, Kdrou 9, Athens, Athens, 105 58, Greece
The Museum of Greek Children’s Art is throwing open its doors as part of the Τhis is Athens City Festival 2026, inviting children aged 6 to 12 to dive into the vibrant worlds of two legendary masters. Using the iconic “Irises” of Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet as their creative spark, young participants will experiment with light, texture, and a kaleidoscope of materials to compose their own unique masterpieces.

In this forward-thinking workshop, art transforms into an immersive game. It’s all about boosting imagination and handing the keys of global art history to our younger residents in the most playful way possible.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Canvas Bag Meets Vintage Flair
2026-05-24 11:30 - 13:00 | National Historical Museum, Stadiou 13, Athens, Athens, 105 61, Greece
How were traditional costumes made, and what secrets are hidden within their vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and fine details?

The National Historical Museum invites the younger friends of the This is Athens City Festival 2026 to an interactive session that brings folk tradition to life creatively and delightfully. The journey begins with a guided exploration of the Museum’s Folk Collection, where children will get up close to the richness of Greek attire, discovering the materials, techniques, and sheer craftsmanship that went into every handmade piece. But the experience doesn’t end with looking. Transitioning from observation to creation, and under the expert guidance of the museum curators, children will try their hand at the traditional block printing technique to decorate their very own canvas tote bag. By the end of the session, folk art is no longer just a museum exhibit, but their personal masterpiece to carry home. This is a brilliant opportunity for children to connect history with imagination and discover the past through their own hands.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Butterfly Words
2026-05-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Elytis’ House – Museum, Polygnotou 7, Athens, Athens, 105 55, Greece
Our young friends aged 6 to 12 are invited on a magical journey into the world of Greek Nobel Laureate Odysseas Elytis through the educational programme “Butterfly Words”. As part of the This is Athens City Festival 2026, children will have the chance to get to know the work of one of the most significant poets in a fun and creative way, using his very own words as building blocks.

Symbols, images, and concepts from his earliest poems are transformed into an original linguistic game. Participants will deconstruct famous verses and experiment with their own original creations, letting their imagination “fly” free.

This activity is only available in Greek.
