Athens’ Hispanic Film Festival (FeCHA) at Aello
2026-05-23 20:30, 2026-05-24 20:30, 2026-05-25 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.

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, 2026-05-25 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.

Blooming Kypseli
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.

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.

Intervention at the House of Identities
2026-05-24 13:00 - 14:00 | The City of Athens Gallery, Municipal Gallery of Athens, Athens, Athens, 104 36, Greece
The This is Athens City Festival 2026 invites us to create the “House of Identities,” a small-scale structure made of construction mesh that hosts countless human figures engraved on zinc sheets. Every visitor who passes through the “house’s” small door is not merely a spectator, but a co-creator: invited to leave their personal mark, their fingerprint, and a small message on special paper suspended from the walls.

This “little house” has no roof, remaining open to space and time, while its walls are built day by day from the signatures and memories of the people who visit it.

A Remembrance Route for Τhose Who Didn’t Make It – 1940-1944
2026-05-24 17:00 - 18:30 | Third Cemetery of Athens, Thivon & Kotyoron, Athens, Athens, 184 54, Greece
This Remembrance Route is a moving tribute to the thousands of anonymous victims of the Great Famine during the Nazi Occupation of Athens, as well as those who fell before the firing squads. This walk unfolds the harrowing yet deeply human stories of our city and its people who didn’t make it through one of the dramatic chapters of our city’s history. Simultaneously, the Third Cemetery of Athens is reintroduced to the public as a vital historical landmark, a sacred space of memory for those who never lived to see our country free.

Leading this evocative journey is Zetta Antonopoulou, Historian-Archaeologist and Head of the Cultural Heritage Department of the City of Athens.

Meeting Point: Entrance of the Third Cemetery

This activity is only available in Greek.

A Walk through Rizokastro & Anafiotika
2026-05-24 17:00 - 19:00 | Acropolis Metro Station, Makrygianni 9, Athens, Athens, 117 42, Greece
Rizokastro and Anafiotika, two of the most enchanting and singular corners of Athens, become the backdrop for a journey that weaves together history, memory, and the inexhaustible charm of Plaka. Archaeologist and guide Michalis Giohalas invites us on a route that goes far beyond a typical tour; it is a quest for Athenian identity where the layers of time remain vividly visible.

Guided by surviving monuments, the ghosts of lost buildings, and the hidden details we usually overlook, this walk attempts to reconstruct a different Athens, but certainly not a lost one. Even those who believe they know Plaka inside out will have the chance to see it through a fresh lens where myth, legend, and topography collide. It is an experience that bridges academic insight with the evocative, nostalgic power of our capital’s most authentic neighbourhood.

Meeting Point: Acropolis Metro Station, Makriyianni exit.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Techno Yoga
2026-05-24 17:00 - 23:00 | Koumoundourou Square, Πλ. Κουμουνδουρου, Athens, Athens, 105 53, Greece
The creative team behind Techno Yoga Greece invites us to redefine our relationship with wellness and entertainment. Through a contemporary and dynamic approach, the event combines the power of music with the practice of yoga, creating a unique experience that connects body and mind. Featuring yoga sessions accompanied by energetic DJ sets and an immersive aesthetic, Techno Yoga Greece brings together a vibrant community seeking authentic ways of self-connection and collective experience. In a distinctive urban setting, music and movement become the vehicle for an experiential journey, proving that the modern rhythm of the city can exist in perfect harmony with inner balance and wellbeing.

ONX.Showcase.Athens.2026: Human in the Loop
2026-05-24 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.

Tilda Swinton: Ongoing
2026-05-24 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 on 18/05 at 14:00 and are made via this page.

Street Outdoors 2026
2026-05-24 19:00 - 23:00 | Eleftherias Park, Eleftherias Park, Athens, Athens, 115 21, Greece
The Street Outdoors crew, the team behind some of the most influential open-air parties of the last decade, reclaim Eleftherias Park as the ultimate meeting point for the city’s vibrant, extroverted soul. Stripping away the “closed club” mentality, the music here breathes freely under the trees, in a setting that perfectly fuses raw urban energy with wide-open spaces.

With a sound that balances the latest electronic trends with the classic spirit of a true block party, Street Outdoors crafts an experience that starts laid-back and gradually surges into a massive celebration. Dance, connection, and a shared sense of “togetherness” are at the heart of the night, an afternoon and evening that proves how naturally the city can transform through rhythm. It’s more proof that Athens beats strongest when it steps outside.

Athens Moves Us: Dance in Public Space
2026-05-24 20:00 - 21:30, 2026-05-25 20:00 - 21:30 | Megaro Arsakeiou, 42-46 Stadiou, Athens, 105 59, Greece
The Greek National School of Dance (KSOT) takes over the renovated Arsakeio Arcade, transforming one of Athens’ most iconic urban spaces into a vibrant stage for contemporary dance. Students and faculty members of the School present a series of choreographies that interact with the architecture and rhythm of the city centre, inviting audiences to experience the city through a new, movement-based perspective.

The event highlights the diversity of contemporary Greek creation, filling the Arsakeio Arcade with energy and poetic expression, while demonstrating how dance can reshape our experience of public space.

Status Quo — Choreography: Nadia Kontou, Lenia Vavylousaki
Wanderers — Choreography: Nikos Kalogerakis
The Fragile Whole — Choreography: Iris-Theodora Dagdeleni
Indifferent Bond of Love with a Hysterical Man (A.D.A.M.E.Y.A.) — Choreography: Despoina Myritzi, Paris Tsafaras
No Man’s Land — Choreography: Plotinos Iliadis
Drifted Like Warriors — Choreography: Athanasia Kanellopoulou
00:13 — Choreography: Paris Tsafaras
System Error — Choreography: Rania Fovou

Athens’ Hispanic Film Festival (FeCHA) at Ellinis Europa Cinemas
2026-05-24 20:30, 2026-05-25 20:30 | Open Air Cinema “Ellinis”, Leof. Kifissias 29, Athens, Athens, 115 23, Greece

Athens: Urban Frictions
2026-05-25 10:00 - 18:00 | Macart’s Cultural Space, Lenorman 244, Athens, Athens, 104 43, Greece
The Macart Cultural Space, in collaboration with iFocus Gallery, presents “Athens: Urban Frictions”, a collective photographic exploration of the Greek capital. Thirty contemporary Greek and international photographers attempt to capture the city’s identity through diverse and often conflicting lenses, highlighting its inherent contradictions, tensions, and ongoing transformations.

In this exhibition, Athens is not approached as a singular, static image, but as a field of constant negotiation between memory, lived experience, and change. Black-and-white and colour works, analogue shots, and contemporary digital perspectives weave a narrative where the act of wandering becomes a way of “reading” the city. The show explores Athens in the space between noise and silence, the visible and the suggestive, and the weight of history versus a constantly shifting present. It is an invitation to view the capital not as a mere backdrop, but as a living, complex entity.

Exhibition duration: 6 May – 6 June

Opening: 6 May at 19:00.

Opening hours: Monday–Friday: 10:00–18:00; Saturday: 10:00–14:00. Closed on Sunday.

Guided Tour of the National Theatre: Ziller Building
2026-05-25 11:30 - 13:30 | National Theatre of Greece, 22-24 Agiou Konstantinou, Athens, 104 37, Greece
The National Theatre takes part in this year’s This is Athens City Festival, opening the doors of the iconic Ziller Building on Agiou Konstantinou Street for a unique guided tour. Athenians and visitors alike are invited to explore the impressive architectural features that shape the identity of this listed gem. From its origins as the Royal Theatre to its present-day role as the country’s leading theatrical institution, this visit offers a rare opportunity to discover the rich history and hidden sides of one of Athens’ most important landmark buildings.

Photos: Thomas Gerasopoulos

This activity is only available in Greek.

Constantine Xenakis – Dimitris Chiotopoulos: Writing and Trace Two Journeys into the Labyrinth
2026-05-25 11:30 - 20:30 | Gallery Ersi, Kleomenous 4, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
Ersi Gallery hosts a deep and unexpectedly poetic dialogue between two masters of the symbolic: Constantine Xenakis and Dimitris Chiotopoulos.

Writing and Trace explores the moment when a mark, a symbol, or a simple gesture transcends its everyday use to become a language of its own. Dense with meaning and open to endless interpretation. The internationally acclaimed Xenakis employs codes, hieroglyphs, and signals from modern communication to offer a sharp commentary on how meaning is constructed in our digital age. In contrast, Chiotopoulos brings a more interior, tactile search to the gallery, weaving in archetypal shapes and calligraphy elements.

Together, they transform the “Labyrinth” into a space of discovery. This isn’t just an exhibition; it’s an invitation to stroll through a maze of signs and silences, losing yourself in the traces of culture only to find your own way back.

Exhibition duration: 5 May – 6 June

Opening hours: Monday–Friday: 11:30–14:30 & 17:30–20:30; Saturday: 11:30–15:00. Closed on Sunday.

Guided Tour at the City of Athens Museum
2026-05-25 12:00 - 13:00 | The City of Athens Museum, 5-7 loannou Paparrigopoulou, Athens, 105 61, Greece
The City of Athens Museum (Vouros-Eutaxias Foundation) will welcome us for a rather special look at the capital’s modern history. The tour spans two iconic buildings that tell the story of a city finding its feet.
We start at the legendary “Old Palace”, the first residence of King Otto and Queen Amalia. It’s a space deeply intertwined with the very first steps Athens took as a modern European capital. Here, you’ll see the city through the objects and grand rooms that helped define its new, royal identity.

The journey then moves into the second building of the complex, the former home of the Dekozis-Vouros family. This is where things get personal. It offers a much more intimate glimpse into Athenian “high society” life, revealing the aesthetics, the daily habits, and domestic charm of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Through these collections and the stunning architecture itself, you’ll witness the trajectory of a city that was rapidly expanding and shaping its modern self. It’s a tour that beautifully bridges the gap between Athens’ grand political history and its private, everyday heart.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Inna Orlik: The Permanent Collection
2026-05-25 12:00 - 18:00 | Orlik Gallery, 3 Palaiologou Benizelou, Athens, 105 56, Greece
Orlik Gallery invites the This is Athens City Festival audience to a distinctive encounter with the visual universe of Inna Orlik. This exhibition brings to the fore a world where contemporary painting enters into a dialogue with mythology, nature, and the human experience, creating an environment rich in symbolism and layers of interpretation.

Defined by bold colours, complex textures, and a singular painterly language, Orlik’s works move between the visible and the suggestive, the personal and the collective. The artist transforms the canvas into a space for narrative and exploration, inviting the viewer to discover forms, symbols, and underlying connections. It is an exhibition tailored for those seeking not only aesthetic intensity in contemporary art but also a substantial, resonant depth.

Exhibition duration: 1–31 May

Opening hours: Daily: 12:00–18:00.

Discovering Athens Through Water
2026-05-25 16:00 - 17:30 | Metaxourgio Square, Metaxourgio Square, Athens, 104 36, Greece
Cooling Havens, an innovative European project of the City of Athens, invites you to an immersive walk through Metaxourgio Square, in one of Athens’ most vibrant neighbourhoods. Newly created cooling points serve as the starting point for rediscovering our relationship with water, public space, and the urban environment.
Exploring traces of the city’s past, contemporary infrastructure and everyday urban life, the walk highlights the role of water in shaping Athens while opening up a conversation about climate resilience and the city’s future. Blending history, environmental awareness, and urban experience, the route offers a fresh perspective on the Athenian landscape.
Cooling Havens (G.A. EUI02-098) is a European project exploring the role of water in contemporary urban design, highlighting solutions that strengthen cities’ resilience in the face of the climate crisis. Co-funded by the European Union, the project is delivered by a consortium led by the City of Athens, in collaboration with ten implementation partners and three European transfer cities.
Meeting point: Metaxourgio Square

This activity is only available in Greek.

Dimitris Papadimitriou at the Roman Agora
2026-05-25 20:00 - 21:30 | Roman Agora of Athens, Polygnotou 3, Athens, Athens, 105 55, Greece
The iconic archaeological site of the Roman Agora of Athens opens its gates to welcome acclaimed composer Dimitris Papadimitriou.

In one of his rare appearances in Greece, the composer himself conducts an eleven-member orchestra, presenting timeless works that have earned the love and admiration of audiences over the years. The programme includes beloved songs from the albums Songs for the Months and Beyond the Soul, as well as melodies from successful television series such as Anastasia and The Witches of Smyrna. Excerpts from major works including The Great Heretic and Songs of Attidon Street will also be performed. The evening’s performances will be interpreted by Veronica Davaki, Giorgos Florakis and Panos Papaioannou, alongside special guest friends, in a concert seeking the pure truth of artistic creation beneath the Athenian sky.

“The most beautiful thing is that which must be sought,” as Gaius Petronius once said—a phrase that continues to inspire Dimitris Papadimitriou.

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

Greek Cinema Nights 2026
2026-05-25 20:00 - 23:00 | Eleftherias Park, Eleftherias Park, Athens, Athens, 115 21, Greece
The magic of the big screen comes to the lawns of Eleftherias Park, celebrating some of the finest moments of Greek cinema. For four consecutive nights, the park transforms into a refreshing open-air screening venue, inviting audiences to surrender to the charm of the seventh art.

Beneath the Athenian sky, with screenings beginning daily at 21:00, viewers will have the chance to enjoy stories that reflect both our present and our past through a selection of beloved films. Take your place on the grass and prepare for a unique cinematic journey that reminds us why summer in Athens is inseparably connected with watching a great film under the stars.

Programme:

Monday 25/05: Our Wildest Days, Vasilis Kekatos, 2025
A coming-of-age road movie for an entire generation, following people searching for freedom, connection and a sense of belonging. Through the wandering of a group of friends in contemporary society, themes of poverty, emotional growth and the quiet revolution born through solidarity unfold.

Tuesday 26/05; Isovites, Theodoros Maragos, 2008
A subversive political comedy that satirises the social dysfunctions of Greece. Through Maragos’ distinctive humour, the film follows its characters as they attempt to break free from their own “life sentences,” delivering both laughter and thought-provoking commentary.

Wednesday 27/05: Jack of All Trades, Master of None (Polytechnitis Kai Erimospitis), Alekos Sakellarios, 1963
A classic masterpiece from the golden age of Greek cinema. Thanasis Veggos delivers a legendary performance as a man struggling to survive by constantly changing professions, offering unforgettable moments of pure comedy that remain timeless to this day.

Thursday 28/05: Afterlov, Stergios Paschos, 2016
A post-romantic settling of accounts. A separated couple locks themselves inside a luxurious villa in order to resolve their differences. A fresh, funny and bittersweet story about what happens when love ends but the need for communication remains.

*All films are screened with English subtitles.
