Featured Performances of Athens Festival 2010

Ever since 1955, the city of Athens has been celebrating summer with the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, a celebration of music, theater, art, and dance. It has hosted the likes of Pavarotti, Maria Callas, Liza Minelli, unique performances of Greek composers like Hadjidakis and Theodorakis (composers of the film scores for Never on Sunday and Zorba the Greek, respectively) Hellen Mirren playing the wildly inappropriate stepmother, Phedre among countless gifts of opportunities to up and coming artists. The festival is a beloved event that puts culture, Greek and otherwise, on a Corinthian, acanthus leaf adorned pedestal.

This year’s lineup has some very interesting events. Imagine watching the 85th Anniversary Tribute to Mikis Theodorakis (July 8 ) on the 2000 year old seats of the Herodes Atticus.

Intentionally or unintentionally, there are several theatrical productions revolving around the myth of Prometheus. “How to Forget in 10 Steps,” a Turkish play on the tragedy of a man losing his ability to participate in society. “Prometheus Bound ,” a collaboration between three theaters in three different countries (Turkey, Germany and Greece) directed by Theodoros Terzopoulos. (July 9/10 in Elefsina) Finally “Prometheus in Athens” is a documentary, theatrical bit chasing the notion of how people relate to mythology. “Who relates to Prometheus and who to Io?” and so on. (July 15th, Odeon of Herodes Atticus)

In Dance, Pina Bausch performs “Nef’es” meaning “breath” in Turkish. Inspired by the war in Iraq, It incorporates Sufi mysticism and the frenzy of whirling Dervishes with the ancient tradition of the belly dance to illustrate the dark effects of history on richness of tradition. (13,14,15 of July in the Athens Concert Hall.)

For a full lineup, go here.
To buy tickets, go here

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