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European Beach Volley Finals In Crete For The First Time!
“It was our pleasure and honor to host at TUI Magic Life Candia Maris, a member of the Metaxa Hospitality Group, one of the biggest beach volleyball events in the world, the CEV Beach Volley European Cup Final 2025. The hotel’s modern facilities, along with the professionalism, experience, and dedication of all our people, fully met the high demands of a top-tier sporting event. This year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Metaxa Hospitality Group, and in this important year, we are especially pleased to have strengthened the foundation for Crete to emerge as an international, high-standard sports tourism destination. We would like to express our warm thanks to the co-organizers — the Region of Crete, the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, and the Municipality of Malevizi — for their excellent collaboration and trust. The success of this institution demonstrates what we can achieve when we join forces to promote Greece as an international destination for sporting experiences.”
- Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis, Regional Governor of Crete, was honored by Mr. Andreas Metaxas, Chief Executive Officer of Metaxa Hospitality Group.
- Mr. Menelaos Bokeas, Mayor of Malevizi, was honored by Mr. Serafeim Karouzakis, General Manager of TUI Magic Life Candia Maris.
- Mr. George Gkagkalis, Head of Beach Volleyball at the European Volleyball Confederation, received an award from Ms. Maria Papadaki, Board Member of the Hellenic Volleyball Federation and member of the Beach Volley Committee.
- Mr. George Karampetsos, President of the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, was honored by Mr. Nikolaos Syrigonakis, Deputy Regional Governor of Crete in the Heraklion Regional Unit.
- Finally, Mr. Alekos Paraskevopoulos, Beach Volleyball Coordinator of the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, received an award from Ms. Faye Papaioannou, Senior Marketing & PR Manager of Metaxa Hospitality Group.
Christmas At The Acropolis Museum
This Christmas, the Acropolis Museum invites you to celebrate with imaginative children’s workshops, ancient festive traditions, guided tours through the collections, live music on the ground floor, and the striking Lamassu – a winged bull by Michael Rakowitz – in the Museum gardens. Browse unique gifts, including the 2026 lucky charm, at the Museum Shop, and enjoy seasonal dishes at the restaurant for a complete festive experience.
Children’s Program & Workshop: "Winged Mythical Creatures and the New Year’s Charm"
Young explorers are invited to join archaeologists on a magical adventure through the exhibits to discover the lucky charm of the new year. Along the way, they’ll meet winged figures – guardians, messengers, or challengers – solve riddles, and collect magical objects. The journey ends in the Educational Centre, where children can decorate their own clay charms to take home.
Dates: Saturday 27/12 & Sunday 28/12, 11:00 a.m. (ages 6–12, in Greek)
Children’s Workshop: "The Iresione and the Carols"
Children will decorate the Iresione, an olive-branch ornament, just as ancient children did, and sing traditional carols celebrating the New Year. Their creations will also adorn the Museum’s Iresione in the Kids Corner.
Dates: Monday 29/12 & Tuesday 30/12, 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. (ages 6–12, in Greek)
Music on the Museum Ground Floor
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Sunday 21 December, 12:00 p.m. – El Sistema Greece Youth Orchestra
Young musicians from 40 countries perform a repertoire blending classical works, Christmas melodies, and pieces promoting peace, under Kyriaki Kountouri. Artistic Direction: Zoe Zeniodi. -
Monday 22 December, 12:30 p.m. – Cretan “Vrakofori” Dance Ensemble
Experience traditional Cretan dances and carols under Giannis Petrakis. -
Saturday 27 December, 12:00 p.m. – Hellenic Air Force Band
Enjoy New Year melodies performed by the historic band, conducted by Flight Lieutenant Konstantinos Drakos.
Exploring the Galleries of the Acropolis Museum
Every Saturday at 10 a.m. in English and 1 p.m. in Greek, archaeologists guide visitors through the exhibitions, sharing hidden stories and insights from the Acropolis, its monuments, and the ancient world.
Gallery talk: "The Erechtheion: A journey through a remarkable monument"
On Sunday 28 December at 1 p.m., join archaeologists for an in-depth look at the Erechtheion, one of the Acropolis’s most iconic monuments, exploring its architecture, sculptural decoration, sacred traditions, and myths. Program held in Greek.
Lamassu of Nineveh – Michael Rakowitz & Ancient Cultures, Part 2
Visitors can view the Lamassu of Nineveh, a 4.3-metre winged bull with a human face, reconstructed from Iraqi date syrup cans. This striking installation dialogues with the archaeological layers beneath the Museum, the sacred Acropolis above, and the modern city surrounding it.
At the Museum Restaurant with a View of the Acropolis
Every Friday and Saturday evening (except 26/12), enjoy festive dinners overlooking the illuminated Acropolis until midnight. On other days, combine your visit with coffee, dessert, and holiday musical events. Reservations: (0030) 210 9000 915
Festive Gifts at the Museum Shop
Discover beautiful decorative items and unique gifts, including the Museum’s 2026 lucky charm, inspired by the 6th-century mosaic floor patterns of Building Z. These pieces reflect the wealth, prosperity, and craftsmanship of the ancient Acropolis, making perfect festive gifts.
For more information, please visit theacropolismuseum.gr.
Christmas At Kypseli Municipal Market
This December, the Kypseli Municipal Market comes alive with festive spirit, creativity, and community. From artisan makers and local producers to live music, theater, and unique workshops, the market is the place to discover stories, tastes, and traditions that make the holidays magical.
Events
Meet the Creators
Explore the market filled with creators, producers, and small businesses, each bringing their own stories and handcrafted products. Come meet them, taste their delights, and discover what lies behind every handmade object, flavor, and idea.
📅 Thursday 11 – Sunday 14/12 | 10:00–21:00
📍 Atrium | Free Entry
Poetry Reading: “Manaviko”
Join the publishers LOGO_TYPO for the presentation of Giannis Poulos’ poetry collection “Manaviko”. His poems are small reminders of life, showing that poetry can be found everywhere.
📅 Sunday 14/12 | 11:00–13:00
📍 Megalo F | Free Entry
Christmas Blood Drive
In collaboration with Blood-e, the market hosts a festive blood donation event, spreading holiday solidarity.
📅 Monday 15/12 | 09:00–13:00
📍 Megalo F | Free Entry
KETHEA Christmas Bazaar
The KETHEA DIAVASI Family Association invites you to its Christmas bazaar. Find handmade ornaments, gifts, and treats lovingly crafted by the families of those overcoming addiction.
📅 Monday 15/12 | 13:00–21:00
📅 Tuesday 16/12 | 10:00–21:00
📍 Atrium | Free Entry
Book Presentation: “Distinction”
Discover the brilliant graphic novel by Tiphene Rivière, exploring the political, economic, and psychological dimensions of Bourdieu’s ideas, while highlighting the aesthetics and cultural mechanisms that reproduce social inequality.
📅 Tuesday 16/12 | 19:00–21:00
📍 Megalo F | Free Entry
Angelika Dusk Live
Sing along with Angelika Dusk and her five-piece band in an energetic 80s-inspired live performance full of dance, fun, and unforgettable memories.
📅 Wednesday 17/12 | 19:00
📍 Atrium | Free Entry
Christmas Solidarity Celebration
The EKAV Social Christmas Celebration returns! Enjoy festive performances by The Hive, explore the market, play ping pong, or try giant Jenga in the Atrium.
📅 Thursday 18/12 | 13:00–21:00
📍 Atrium | Free Entry
Christmas Movie Night
The Market transforms into a cinema for families, showing beloved holiday classics:
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17:30 – The Grinch (Dubbed, 86 min)
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19:30 – Home Alone (Subtitled, 102 min)
📍 Atrium | Free Entry
Xmas Creators Market by Frau.les
Discover new brands, support independent creators, and celebrate the festive season through a modern, creative lens.
📅 Saturday 20 – Tuesday 23/12 | 12:00–21:00
📍 Atrium, Megalo F, Mikro F | Free Entry
Mythical Transformations: A Christmas Adventure
A musical and interactive theatrical performance for children (ages 5–10) by Sandy Makropoulou, exploring the magic of Christmas through time.
📅 Sunday 21/12 | 12:00–13:00
📍 Permanent Historical Exhibition | €10/child
Neighborhood Christmas Market
Celebrate Christmas in the heart of Kypseli with children’s workshops, festive music, and local vendors offering last-minute gifts.
📅 Wednesday 24/12 | 10:00–18:00
📍 Atrium | Free Entry
Christmas Book Fest
A four-day festive book festival for all ages, featuring workshops, surprises, and presentations. The first day includes a live festive program by Foufouri Editions and ATHINA 9.84, with music by the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra.
📅 Saturday 27 – Tuesday 30/12 | 10:00–21:00
📍 Atrium | Free Entry
Workshops & Programs
The Heart of Theater – Adult Theater Group
Through fun and complex ensemble exercises, participants build trust, develop creativity, unleash imagination, and collaborate to create together.
📅 Every Monday until June 2026 | 19:00–21:30
📍 Adult Theater Group | Tickets at the Market’s box office
Info: 21 0440 0545 | hello@dak.com.gr
Woodworking Workshop
Learn the basics of woodworking and immediately put skills into practice. By the end, each participant takes home a handmade stool.
📅 Every Wednesday until 17/12 | 18:00–20:00
📍 HOKOCRAFTS | Limited spots. Info & tickets: hokocrafts.com/workshop
Our Inner Canvas
A series of experiential workshops exploring home, safety, and personal space through art.
📅 Every Wednesday until 17/12 | 18:30–20:30
📍 Creative Lab | €15/session. Reserve via @clayground
Polymer Clay Date – Christmas Edition
A festive, creative session making charms, ornaments, and small jewelry with color, sparkle, and fun.
📅 Saturday 13/12 | 12:00–14:30
📍 Creative Lab | €25 (Reserve via pinkforest.gr/workshops )
Vlavi Book Club
A space to explore and discuss influential essays and literary works. Participants must read the recommended books.
📅 Saturday 13/12 | 18:00–21:00
📍 Permanent Historical Exhibition | Free Entry
Christmas Wreath Workshop
Create a traditional festive wreath in a warm, cheerful environment with all materials provided. No experience needed.
📅 Sunday 14/12 | 12:30–14:30
📍 Creative Lab | €45 (Tickets: monstera.athens@gmail.com / Instagram )
Elves in Action – Theater Workshop for Ages 3–5
A playful Christmas adventure where little elves help Santa prepare gifts and decorate the sleigh, including a mini baking workshop.
📅 Saturday 20/12 | 11:00–12:00
📍 Creative Lab | €10/child + accompanying adult
Analog Collage Workshop
Create unique handmade compositions using old images, exploring personal stories and emotions through visual art.
📅 Saturday 20/12 | 13:00–16:00
📍 Creative Lab | €25
Christmas Mystery at Kypseli Market
A festive scavenger hunt where children and adults solve puzzles and face mischievous elves that have turned the exhibition upside down.
📅 Sunday 21/12 | 16:30–18:00
📍 Exhibition | €22/child + accompanying adult
Last but not least, at the Kypseli Municipal Market, visitors can explore a vibrant mix of pop-ups and shops offering unique gifts, handmade creations, and sustainable products. From eco-conscious brands like That Gorilla Brand and natural cosmetics from Solarz and Elichrysos, to handmade jewelry, playful fashion pieces, and festive decorations, there’s something for everyone. Discover cultural and artisanal treasures at Finikalala, support social initiatives at Anthizo and Modistra Hopemade, or find books, games, and knowledge-packed items at Skrip and POLY KOOL Bookstore. Seasonal pop-ups like Christmas Friends Market and the magical Village of Three Elves make holiday shopping joyful, while creative workshops, home décor, and woodworking collectives like Hokocrafts invite hands-on experiences. Every visit promises surprises, festive spirit, and a chance to support local creators and meaningful initiatives.
Christmas At The Maria Callas Museum
Friday, December 19 | “The Nutcracker’s Dream” at the “Agia Sofia” Children’s Hospital by the Maria Callas Museum
Learn more here.
Sunday, December 21 | Listening Club: Songs for Winter / Christmas in Athens
After the warm reception of last year’s Christmas Listening Club, radio producer of ERT’s Third Programme and Kosmos 93.6, Giorgos Florakis, returns to the Maria Callas Museum for a second year. This time, he invites us on a winter musical journey titled “Songs for Winter.”
Free admission with complimentary entry ticket – Learn more here.
December 28–30, 2025 & January 2, 2026 | Stencil Art in the City: Create the Most Inspired Christmas Postcards! / Christmas in Athens
The Maria Callas Museum and the Industrial Gas Museum invite children and adults to a unique creative experience at Kotzia Square during the Christmas season! The two museums join forces to offer the most festive artistic event filled with color, light, and imagination. Children aged 3+ and adults will use stencil techniques to create their own Christmas postcards, inspired by the brilliance of Maria Callas and the magic of industrial architecture.
Free participation – Learn more here.
Tuesday, December 30 | Children’s Performance: Zacharias the Wolf’s Christmas / Christmas in Athens
The Maria Callas Museum hosts the children’s theatre performance “Zacharias the Wolf’s Christmas” for ages 4–8 by the theatre group “Anemomyloi.”
Wolf Zacharias does not like Christmas at all! He wanders around grumpy, looking for someone to play snowball with. But everyone is busy with holiday preparations—decorating trees, cooking festive treats, writing letters to Santa… Luckily, his friends help him get into the holiday spirit. And, of course, a wonderful surprise awaits him in the end!
Free admission with complimentary entry ticket – Learn more here.
GUIDED TOURS
Saturday, December 20, 12:00 & 13:30 | Adult & Family Tours
FAMILY PROGRAMS
Sunday, December 14 | MCM KIDS | Opera Becomes Play
A hands-on music-education journey into the magical world of opera and sound awaits children and their caregivers at the Maria Callas Museum, accompanied by a piano! Inspired by the voice and personality of the great diva, children will explore set-like rooms from three iconic operas—Norma, Tosca, La Traviata—play with rhythm, move with imagination, and finally discover Orff instruments and create their own group composition with piano accompaniment.
Opera becomes play—and play becomes expression, collaboration, and creativity!
11:30–12:30
Ages: 5–10
Learn more here.
Sunday, December 14 | MCM BABIES | Museum Goblins, Garlands, and Music
Can goblins really enter a museum? And if they do, do they bring only mischief—or also music? In this festive program, babies and their caregivers meet tiny creatures with pointy hats and playful moods that tangle melodies and twist garlands. Will we manage to untangle them? And if so, which music will guide us? Babies and caregivers will experience the magic of music and Christmas through the goblins’ cheeky antics.
We will sing, explore materials, move, and listen to sounds and melodies that warm the heart.
9:30–10:15
Ages: 8 months – 2.5 years
Learn more here.
Sunday, December 28 | MCM KIDS | Avanti Maestro! Christmas Edition / Christmas in Athens
What could a paintbrush, a piano, and a few Christmas smudges be doing inside a museum? Children and their caregivers will discover the answer through a magical festive music-art game! Guided by the melodies of a live piano and accompanied by brushes and colors, we will explore rhythm and create the most wonderful “musical smudges.” Through these playful creations, festive stories full of shapes and colors will unfold, taking us to bright, imaginary worlds where music becomes painting and the art of opera meets the magic of Christmas.
12:30–13:30
Ages: 3–5
Free participation with complimentary entry ticket
Learn more here.
Celebrating The Longest Night Of The Year In Athens
On Saturday, December 20, neighborhoods across the capital, from Monastiraki and Victoria Square to Pangrati, Lambrini, Ermou, and Omonia, will come alive with ten different events unfolding simultaneously. From live bands and DJ-led street parties to jazz, classical music, dance happenings, and even wellness activities, the city encourages everyone to wander, celebrate, and rediscover Athens through sound and rhythm.
Dancing To Global Beats
Latin Christmas Party – Kerameikos (2:30 p.m.)
Salaminos Street transforms into a lively Latin-inspired celebration, complete with vibrant vinyl sets, street food aromas, and rhythms that evoke Rio, Havana, and beyond. A festive escape with a summery twist right in the heart of Athens.
Protogenous Street Festival (5 p.m.)
Protogenous Street becomes a creative hub filled with music, open shops, and a buzzing crowd. DJs kick off the festivities on December 20, while up-and-coming alternative bands take the stage the following evening, creating a two-night celebration of sound and local culture.
Lambrini Street Party (7 p.m.)
Electronic music takes over Lambrini as ENDEKA Athens hosts a high-energy event featuring some of the city’s most exciting DJs and producers. Lights, beats, and a lively crowd turn the northern neighborhood into a festive hotspot.
Calm & Wellness
Night Yoga – Rizari Park (7 p.m.)
For those seeking a slower pace, an evening yoga session beneath the trees of Rizari Park offers a peaceful pause from the holiday buzz. Open to all levels, this guided practice blends relaxation with the magic of a winter night outdoors.
Balkan Brass & Timeless Jazz
Agia Fanfara Parade (7:30 p.m.)
A 25-member ensemble of brass, woodwinds, and percussion fills the streets with Balkan-inspired rhythms, moving through Monastiraki and Avyssinia Square and inviting passersby to dance along.
A Christmas Piano Tale – Victoria Square (7:30 p.m.)
Solo pianist Melachrinos Velenzas demonstrates the storytelling power of the piano, weaving festive melodies into an intimate musical experience that captures the essence of the season.
Sinatra Reimagined – Pangrati (8 p.m.)
Classic Frank Sinatra songs receive a fresh jazz interpretation in Mesolongiou Square, with Dutch vocalist Alexandros Affolter joined by drummer Serafim Bello for a warm and soulful holiday performance.
Music, Dance, & Classical Flair
Omonia Dance Takeover (8 p.m.)
The arcade of the Moxy Athens City Hotel turns into a vibrant dance floor, with well-known DJs and radio producers energising the city center through beats and movement.
The Storyville Ragtimers – Voukourestiou Street (9 p.m.)
Swing back in time to 1920s New Orleans as this ensemble revives early jazz traditions. Vintage sounds, lively rhythms, and nostalgic flair fill the pedestrian street with festive charm.
De Profundis Ensemble – Ermou Street (9 p.m.)
Classical music meets urban energy as De Profundis performs along Ermou, proving that timeless compositions can resonate just as powerfully in the open air as they do in concert halls.
These events form part of the initiative “Actions to Promote Tourism in the Municipality of Athens”, under the Attica 2021–2027 Programme, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, reinforcing Athens’ position as a vibrant holiday destination.
Weddings In Greece 2015
The history, weather, and picturesque landscapes of Greece and its islands make it a hugely attractive destination for couples looking to add a little extra magic to their special day, making it one of the most popular countries in Europe for overseas weddings in recent years.
Perhaps one of the greatest virtues of Greece as a wedding destination is that its variety of landscapes permits the couple to really be in control of the aesthetics and tone of their wedding.
With that in mind, we’ve put together some of the most popular Greek wedding destinations and themes to inspire you.
Destinations
Santorini
Santorini is one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean and is justifiably one of the most popular wedding destinations in Greece. The island features the famous blue and white villas and churches, excellent beaches, and fantastic views stretching out over the blue water. The laid back and clean aesthetic of the island lends itself to small and personal weddings, though that’s not to say there isn’t plenty of scope to invite hundreds of your friends and turn it into a big wedding – there is. Whichever one you decide on, it’s hard to go wrong in an area as beautiful as this.
Kefalonia
The island of Kefalonia may only be 50km long and 25km wide, but it manages to pack a lot of romantic views into its small space. With beautiful beaches, stunning water, and an untouched atmosphere that is seldom replicated elsewhere, the island is the ideal place for a small beach ceremony with an intimate audience of family and friends.
Themes
Cruise Weddings
A great way to have a Greek wedding and begin your honeymoon is by taking a cruise wedding, in which you get to share the build-up to the ceremony, the ceremony, and week-long after party with your friends and family. A cruise wedding isn’t a Vegas wedding, however – you’ll still enjoy as much control over the day as you would if it were taking place on land. With so many beautiful Greek islands worth visiting, a cruise wedding is a great way to see them all and make your wedding especially unforgettable – it is also convenient for those couples who can’t decide which picturesque landscape they want in the background of their wedding photos.
Greek Group Weddings
With overseas weddings growing in popularity each year, couples are thinking of ever more creative ways to keep the costs down and turn their dream wedding into a reality. One of the most fun ways to do this is to double, triple, or even quadruple or more up with other engaged couples and have a group wedding, thus slashing costs. Sixteen couples recently wed in one massive ceremony on the island of Crete, taking the idea of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” to a whole new level! While it’s unlikely to save you big money on flights or accommodation, you can save on rentals, food packages, and just about everything else connected to a wedding (though feel free to splurge on your own dress!).
Greek Style
Most people who get married in Greece do so because of the beauty of the landscape, but those who delve a little deeper will find that adding a healthy dose of Greek culture to the ceremony adds plenty of potential to make it unique, stylish, and memorable. The beauty of this approach is that it is so simple – just think about Greek culture while planning! This means adding plenty of fish and local fruit in your meals, serving Greek olives, and making sure all the wine comes from within the country. You can even find plenty of wedding dresses inspired by Ancient Greece and include local music, dances, and customs into your ceremony and after party. If you really want to be Greek, follow the age-old custom and turn your wedding into a three day celebration – it’ll be worth it!
Final Advice
The hospitality and beauty of Greece makes it an unforgettable wedding location. And the beauty of a Greek wedding is that there are no rules to follow – you can have an intimate or extravagant ceremony, choose a romantic island or the bustling city of Athens; the choice is yours. Whichever you decide, take the time to really think about what your perfect wedding would look like – because in Greece, it’s probably achievable.
By Jemma Bond
Photo: iefimerida.gr
Athens Isn’t Pretty, But It's Exciting: Discover The City's Cultural Rebirth
Those mismatched columns, so pragmatically reused, offer an object lesson about the problems and promise of Athens today. Six years of economic crisis, and several decades of thoughtless urban development, have focused many minds here on the task of building a better future from the usable past.
Apart from its classical monuments, Athens is not a picture-postcard capital. It is gritty, restless and spontaneous, as you can see from rampant graffiti that sometimes blows up into epic street art.
But the city seems to be rebounding from the depths of the crisis, which many say were touched three years ago. More and more Athenians are involved in a kind of civic infill activity, reimagining the town, improvising social services and engaging in what Greek photographer Eirini Vourloumis calls “a forced renegotiation of Greek identity.”
Athens is still living the hangover from the boom years of the 1960s, when Athenians were proud of the city they thought they were creating, but also strangely oblivious to the consequences of that process. Unco-ordinated development, fuelled by aid from the U.S. government, erased much of the city’s neoclassical heritage, and damaged the city’s ecology and infrastructure.
Now, ambitious plans are afoot to remodel the downtown in more sustainable ways, and to add cultural capital to civic life. Innovative restorations, led by artists and arts organizations, are reclaiming rundown industrial districts. There is a feeling here that creativity is the last and best resource when other resources fail.
Nikos Vatopoulos, cultural editor of the Athens daily paper Kathimerini, says that Greece “has entered its Weimar period” – a reference both to its political fragility and its creative dynamism.
Rethink Athens, a project led by the Onassis Foundation, will insert a “green spine” between two central plazas, starting later this year. The six lanes of Panepistimiou Street will be pedestrianized and planted with 800 trees, to become a grand promenade – with bike lanes and a tram line – between the neoclassical environs of Syntagma Square and the slowly reviving area around Omonia Square. Near the centre of that promenade, the Greek National Theatre is completely restoring the Rex Theatre, an art-deco building designed in 1935 that will become a three-stage theatre hub. Dozens of empty buildings along Panepistimiou will reawaken as cultural spaces through a citywide project called theatre of 1,000 rooms.
The Greek National Opera, which has expanded all over town with unstaged “suitcase operas” and pop-up performances, will have a new theatre as of next year, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s new complex in the city’s southwest. The National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST) has already taken up quarters in part of a restored brewery building originally designed by Takis Zenetos, a leading Greek proponent of modern architecture’s International Style.
By: Robert Everett-Green
Crisis? What Crisis? Say Tourists Flocking To Greece
Rhodes To Host Tripadvisors Destination Academy Europe
The Odyssey Meets Greece
Here is what the Project Manager, Matilda von Weissenberg, had to say:
It is time for this project to reach its last tour. It is time to set sails and reach the final destination: Greece, the home of Odysseus himself, the origin of so many myths and legends, philosophers and artists.
When we planned the Meeting the Odyssey project in 2012, we decided that the last tour would happen in Greece as a tribute to all culture, arts, civilization and heritage that we can thank Greece for. Another reason was to show solidarity with the in times of economical crisis. We wanted to go against the trend of blaming the south for the crisis. We wanted to do something that would unite Europeans instead of dividing us. Meeting the Odyssey was our answer to those first signs of EU’s internal crisis that were discernible already back in 2012 – with a ship filled with theatre we wanted to enhance intercultural dialogue and overcome prejudices.
We have sailed many seas and performed in many ports since those planning days. Almost 19000 people have seen the performances in 25 places all over Europe. Meeting the Odyssey started its journey 2014 in St.Petersburg in the middle of very difficult relations because of the Crimean crisis. After a rainy and cold tour on the Baltic Sea, the project reached Central European places like Prague, Opole and Berlin. In 2015 the tour went around Italy, France and Malta, stopping also at Lampedusa, the island where so many migrants have landed after a dangerous trip from the African continent. All along, this project has been somehow present in the places of concern in Europe. The same pattern continues as we reach the final tour in Greece.
The European spectrum has changed during these years. We started out focusing on the collaboration and dialogue within Europe. We end up confronting us with a situation far more complex, where all of Europe is trying to deal with the arrival of thousands of people from outside Europe, people who represent different cultures, religions and languages. How can Meeting the Odyssey face these challenges? How can we, as artists, contribute to a better understanding between cultures and traditions? Can we do anything at all?
We think we can. We have a beautiful sailing ship called Hoppet to take us around in the Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean Seas and we have over 50 artists from all over Europe ready to perform fantastic theatre productions as well as Instant performances and workshops. Here we come Greece!
For more information, please visit: Meeting The Odyssey