LIFE & CULTURE

XpatAthens
2nd Hellenic International Jazz Festival 2025
Jazzèt Festival 2025 Program
SUNDAY 20/07/25
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21:00 BAG OF NAILS (GREECE)
Panos Katsikogiannis (vocals, guitar) // Thanos Zacheilas (keyboards, vocals) // Ilias Katis (drums, percussion) -
22:00 ESPEN BERG TRIO (NORWAY)
Espen Berg (piano & composition) // Bárður Reinert Poulsen (double bass) // Simon Albertsen (drums)
MONDAY 21/07/25
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20:30 NORTH SIDE TRIO – NEW JAZZ ARTISTS (GREECE)
Tommy Lynch (saxophone) // Alexandros Tziovas (double bass) // Dimitris Kondos (drums) -
21:00 ENOSIS QUARTET (SWEDEN, FINLAND, GREECE)
Orfeas Wardig Tsoukalas (saxophone) // Thodoris Kotsifas (guitar) // Oli Rantala (double bass) // Johan Birgenius (drums) -
22:00 HUMAN TOUCH (GREECE)
David Lynch (tenor & soprano sax, vocals, flute, piccolo, recorder, cajon) // Giotis Kiourtsoglou (fretless & fretted electric bass) // Stavros Lantsias (piano, keys, drums, percussion)
TUESDAY 22/07/25
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21:00 LEFTERIS CHRISTOFIS TRIO (GREECE)
Lefteris Christofis (electric, acoustic, synthesizer guitars) // Lakis Tzimkas (electric bass) // Kostas Anastasiadis (drums) -
22:00 DWIKI DHARMAWAN’S ATHENIAN ENSEMBLE (INDONESIA, UK, GREECE)
Dwiki Dharmawan (piano) // Gilad Atzmon (saxophones, clarinet) // Ita Purnamasari (vocals) // Dede Yanto (multi-ethnic instruments) // Vyron Dolas (electric guitar) // Kimon Karoutzos (double bass) // Nikos Sidirokastritis (drums)
Athens Open Air Film Festival 2025
Celebrating 15 Years of Cinema Under the Stars
Upcoming Screenings – July & August
Saturday, July 12 | Plato’s Academy Park, Monastiriou 137, Akadimia Platonos
🎞 80s Horror Marathon
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21:45 – The Fog (1980, 89’) – Dir. John Carpenter
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23:30 – A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984, 91’) – Dir. Wes Craven
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01:15 – Sleepaway Camp (1983, 88’) – Dir. Robert Hiltzik
All digitally restored prints
Monday, July 14 | Kotzia Square (Athinas Street entrance)
🎞 The Hairdresser’s Husband (1990, 82’)
21:30 | Dir. Patrice Leconte
In celebration of France’s National Day – in collaboration with the French Institute of Greece.
Thursday, July 17 | Anesis Open-Air Cinema, Kifisias Ave. 14
🎞 Any Number Can Win (1963, 118’)
21:00 | Dir. Henri Verneuil
With Jean Gabin & Alain Delon – digitally restored version.
In collaboration with the French Institute of Greece.
Tuesday, July 23 | Drakopoulou Park, Athens
🎞 A World of Gods and Monsters: Two James Whale Classics
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21:30 – Bride of Frankenstein (1935, 75’)
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22:45 – The Invisible Man (1933, 71’)
Friday, July 25 | Technopolis City of Athens, Pireos 100
🎞 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, 119’)
21:30 | Dir. Ang Lee
Stunning martial arts epic in a digital restored version.
Tuesday, July 29 | Eleftherias Park, Vasilissis Sofias Ave.
🎞 Mamma Roma (1962, 106’)
21:30 | Dir. Pier Paolo Pasolini
Special screening curated by artist Marlene Dumas in collaboration with the Museum of Cycladic Art.
Thursday, August 21 | Anesis Open-Air Cinema, Kifisias Ave. 14
🎞 India Song (1975, 120’)
21:00 | Dir. Marguerite Duras
A haunting French classic – 50th anniversary screening with the French Institute of Greece.
Wednesday, August 27 | "El Paso" Stadium, Kallithea
🎞 For a Few Dollars More (1965, 132’)
21:30 | Dir. Sergio Leone
Spaghetti Western masterpiece starring Clint Eastwood – digitally restored for its 60th anniversary.
In collaboration with Athens Kallithea FC.
Tip: Arrive early to grab a good spot and enjoy the pre-screening atmosphere. All screenings start promptly and are subject to weather conditions. Bring your own blanket, snacks, and cinema-loving friends!
Full program and details: Athens Open Air Film Festival Official Website
Summer At The Maria Callas Museum
Every Sunday in July, Mitropoleos Square transforms into an open-air art corner with La Mia Maria: Create your own carte postale!, a colourful drop-in activity for all ages. On the night of the July full moon, the museum stays open late for Under the Moonlight—a special evening experience featuring reduced admission, music from a live DJ set, and breathtaking views of the Acropolis. Throughout July and August, visitors of all ages can also join interactive guided tours offered in Greek and English, and discover the life and legacy of Maria Callas in new and inspiring ways.

Brain-Health & Yoga Retreat on Mount Olympus
This unique retreat combines cutting-edge, evidence-based brain-health practices with the timeless wisdom of yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness.
Perfect for anyone seeking a holistic reset, whether you're navigating stress, seeking inspiration, or simply craving a deeply revitalizing experience rooted in nature and neuroscience.
When: September 15-21, 2025
Where: Mount Olympus
Email: brainhealthandyoga@gmail.com
Organizer's Retreat Page: Brainhealth & Yoga Retreat

Europa's Pledge – Wajdi Mouawad & Juliette Binoche At Epidaurus
The Athens Epidaurus Festival presents the world premiere of The Oath of Europe, a deeply evocative new play by internationally acclaimed playwright and director Wajdi Mouawad, starring the legendary Juliette Binoche. This unique production brings together a multicultural cast of six actors from different continents in a polyphonic performance that navigates themes of inherited trauma, war, silence, and identity.
Inspired by ancient mythology and rooted in the aesthetics of Greek tragedy, The Oath of Europe unfolds as a fragmented memory — a mosaic of voices, testimonies, and ghosts from the past. It tells the story of a woman forced to confront a buried childhood memory of atrocity, in a work that resonates with today’s fractured world.
Staged for the first time at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, this international co-production with Théâtre National de la Colline (Paris) is part of the Festival’s Contemporary Ancients cycle and is supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. A bold and lyrical exploration of myth and modern history — and one of the summer’s most anticipated theatrical events.
Mahler Chamber Orchestra & Yuja Wang – Live at the Herodion


Beyond the Beach: 6 Unexpected Summer Activities In Greece You’ll Never Forget

@eirini__30
2. Chase Waterfalls in Northern Evia or Pelion
@analytis.mp3
Greece is more than islands; it’s full of lush gorges and waterfalls. Cool off in natural rock pools shaded by plane trees, just a few hours from Athens.
Try: The waterfalls of Drymonas in Evia or Tsagarada’s Fakistra Waterfall in Pelion. Ideal for a day trip with a picnic.
3. Watch a Film Under the Stars at a Greek Open-Air Cinema

@yuksel_pecenek
It’s not just a movie; it’s a ritual. With a breeze in your hair, jasmine scent in the air, and a cold drink in hand, Greece’s θερινά σινεμά (summer cinemas) are pure nostalgia.
Where to go: Cine Thisio in Athens, with the Acropolis glowing behind the screen, or Cine Kalisperitis in Kimolos.
4. Learn Pottery in Sifnos, the Island of Clay

@mrchrissharples
Sifnos is a hub of ceramic art. Sign up for a pottery workshop with a local artist, and get your hands into the same clay that’s been shaped for centuries.
🏺 Best studios: Atsonios or Peristeriona in Kamares.
5. Spend the Night in a Treehouse in Evritania

@dimvsd
Karpenisi in summer, transforms into a green paradise, filled with rivers, forests, and cool mountain air. One of the most magical ways to experience it? Sleeping in a treehouse nestled among fir trees.
Surrounded by nature, you can swing in a hammock, wake up to birdsong, and fall asleep under the stars. It’s the kind of stay that makes you feel like a kid again, whether you're with family, your partner, or on a solo recharge.
6. Spend the Night in a Monastery on a Remote Island

@jcamatsos
If you're craving silence, introspection, or just a break from modern chaos, spend a night (or two) in a working Greek monastery. Many are open to respectful visitors in the summer months, offering basic lodging, shared meals, and early-morning liturgies.
It’s not about religion but about stillness, starlit courtyards, stone cells cooled by mountain air, and waking to the sound of chanting echoing through the hills.
The Best Greek Island Villages We Can’t Get Enough Of
Chora – Amorgos

@annakarin6.0
Mystical and minimal, Chora of Amorgos is a Cycladic masterpiece. Tucked inland and surrounded by windmills and rugged peaks, it feels like a walk back in time. Quiet streets, hidden tavernas, and a strong local character give it depth and allure.
Why it stands out: It's untouched, has zero glitz, and is full of hidden Byzantine chapels, stone archways, and incredible authenticity.
Olympos – Karpathos

@diokaminaris
This village on the island of Karpathos is unlike anywhere else in Greece. Perched high on the mountains, Olympos feels like an open-air folklore museum, where women still wear traditional dress and the dialect is ancient.
This is where time stands still, and every stone street seems carved from history and myth. Remote, wild, and soul-stirring.
Chora - Astypalaia

This butterfly-shaped island belongs to the Dodecanese, but its Chora is pure Cycladic fairytale: white houses cascading below a Venetian castle, blue domes popping out above rooftops, and windmills watching over the main square.
Top vibe: Romantic, peaceful, and unbelievably photogenic. The view of the Kastro (castle) at night is hauntingly beautiful.
Ano Syros – Syros

@i.tsimi
While Ermoupoli is the grand neoclassical capital of the Cyclades, Ano Syros is its medieval crown. Winding uphill streets lead you past Catholic monasteries, domed churches, and arched doorways.
Bonus points: It's the birthplace of Markos Vamvakaris, father of rebetiko music, and the view over Ermoupoli’s harbor is dreamy.
Chora - Serifos
@elena_dim_
Built amphitheatrically up a rocky hill, Chora of Serifos offers dramatic views and classic island architecture. It’s quiet, rugged, and ideal for slow travelers. Once you hike up through its wind-swept alleys, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most panoramic sunset views in the Aegean.
Vibe: A little wild, a little romantic, and totally unforgettable.
Apeiranthos – Naxos
@kidsareatrip
While Naxos’ main Chora is also stunning, Apeiranthos is a marble village that feels like a Cycladic secret. Tower houses, Venetian architecture, and artisan shops nestled in stone-paved alleys offer a refreshing alternative to the classic white-and-blue palette.
Pro tip: Stay for lunch in one of the traditional kafeneia, it’s like eating inside a time capsule.
Chora – Kythira

@Teog79
Technically closer to the Peloponnese than the Aegean, Kythira’s Chora blends Ionian elegance with Cycladic charm. Topped by a Venetian castle, it overlooks the sea and the island’s wild cliffs, dotted with Byzantine chapels and hidden coves.
Best for: Romantics, road-trippers, and fans of moody beauty.
Hiking & Yoga Retreat in Crete
Retreat Info
When: November 2-8, 2025
Where: Crete
Price: 2,950€
Email: steph@nefelinine.com
Contact Number: 697 4184 632
Organizer: Nefeli Nine
Organizer's Website: https://www.nefelinine.com/crete-retreat
Hiking & Yoga Escape In Pelion
September 7-13 - Leave behind the noise and pace of city life and embark on a truly memorable escape in the breathtaking Pelion region of Greece.
Retreat Info
When: September 7-13, 2025
Where: Pelion
Price: From 2,550€
Email: steph@nefelinine.com
Organizer: Nefeli Nine