This is the last week of November for 2023- but before we turn the page on our calendar there are still lots of special events taking place in Athens.
The cultural scene in the capital is on fire this week and we have rounded up our favourites for you.
Half Note Jazz Nights 2023
Want to add some flare to your Athens nights? Half Note, the most iconic jazz hangout in the city, is returning for the winter season in the Mets neighbourhood. Make sure you reserve a seat and enjoy the moonshine while listening to the music of the excellent jazz performers playing throughout the night. Philipp Weiss and Stathis Anninos will present a contemporary version of Schumann’s romantic vocal music and promise to take us on an unforgettable melodic journey.
Entry: €20- €30
Date & Time: 29 November 2023, 9:30 pm
Address: Half Note Jazz Club, 17 Trivonianou, Mets
Evangelismos, the musical is a theatrical production by the National Theatre of Greece. Set against the backdrop of one of the most famous hospitals in Athens, the storyline is about time and love. Directed by Angelos Triantafillou, in collaboration with Dimitris Stavropoulos, the libretto is by Yiannis Asteris and a troupe of 21 renowned actors and singers all combine to create a surreal universe. The “residents” of a hospital, doctors, nurses, patients and attendants, sing for those who have already left, but also for those who wish to say goodbye. The play is in Greek language with English subtitles.
Entry: €10- €18
Date & Time: 30 November 2023, 8:30 pm
Address: Rex Theater, Stage “Marika Kotopouli”, Panepistimiou 38 Athens
Choreographer Spyros Kouvaras and the Greek-French contemporary dance group, Synthesis 748 Dance Co. are bringing to Athens their new project, NATURA MORTA (a dance less). Synthesis 748 presents a work about loss and “lost natures”, a choreography that functions as a reminder of time for the inescapability of human fate and the vulnerability of the material world. The performance introduces an intermediate space-time in which a dance ritual unfolds and develops as a modern doomsday and sometimes as an archaic rave, following an increasing escalation of kinetic intensity.
The Underground Youth Orchestra of Athens is one of the most important youth symphony orchestras in Greece. With the goal of offering young talented musicians the opportunity to train in orchestral art by participating in high-level concerts in Greece and abroad, the orchestra teams up with famous conductors and soloists. The founder and artistic director of the orchestra is Kostas Iliadis and this time he is collaborating with the talented and well-known maestro Sebastien Rouland, who will conduct the orchestra with a great selection of works by famous composers such as L.B. Beethoven, Sibelius, M.Ravel.
Entry: €8- €24
Date & Time: 29 November 8:30 pm
Address: Athens Music Hall – Vas. Sofias & Kokkali 1, Athens
The internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor Kostis Georgiou introduces visitors to his own “Dreamland” at Kapopoulos Fine Arts. An ode to a dreamlike place – the artist presents a series of contemporary paintings from recent years, some of which compose multifaceted creations, each part of which maintains its own autonomous entity. His paintings start from a dynamic individual expression, with colour and shapes that create major cultural and social symbolism.
Entry: Free
Date & Time: 27 November- 4 December | Monday-Wednesday-Saturday 10.30am-5.30pm | Tuesday-Thursday-Friday 10.30am-8.30pm
We are officially in the heart of autumn and the first week of November is bringing with it some exciting events taking place throughout different venues – including musical stages, galleries and theatres all across Athens- and we’ve rounded up the ones you don’t want to miss.
Modern Love Exhibition
How does flirting in the age of social media and online dating apps work? Can love blossom in the “mind” of a robot or the wreckage of a lost life? Are intimacy and tenderness measurable quantities? The exhibition of the National Museum of Contemporary Art entitled “Modern Love: The Love in the Years of Cold Intimacy” raises all these questions and more. This popular project is the result of a fruitful collaboration between 24 artists and the artistic director of the museum, Katerina Gregou.
Entry: €8
Date & Time: 1-5 November, Tuesday-Sunday 11 am-7 pm
Address: Kallirois Ave. & Amvr. Frantzi Street, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens
T: +30 211 101 9000
“Witches of Salem”
Arthur Miller’s fascinating theatrical allegory will be broadcast at Athens Concert Hall, straight from the Olivier Stage of London’s National Theater. Lindsey Turner directs the new, contemporary production of the great American author’s masterpiece, with Erin Doherty and Brendan Cowell in the leading roles. Miller’s play “The Salem Witches” is based on true events that occurred in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, which resulted in the hanging of twenty innocent people.
Entry: Ticket prices: €8 – €15
Date & Time: 2 November, 8 pm
Address: The Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), 115 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens,
Νo need to head to the far East to discover the next generation of Hong Kong artistic talents, as the Phoenix Athens Gallery is presenting them in its latest exhibition, right in the heart of Athens. “Some Shreds: Happening at the Edge” is a cool group exhibition showcasing artworks of several artistic media including visual art, video installations, choreography, and live music performances.
Entry: Free
Date & Time: 1-3 November, Monday-Friday 7-11 pm, weekends by appointment
Sotiropoulos Art Gallery opens the autumn artistic season with the group exhibition of paintings entitled “Morfes” (forms). Curated by Fotis Sotiropoulos (gallery manager), it’s part of the gallery’s new initiative “NEW EYES | Contemporary, young creators”, which aims to promote a range of new artists. The focus of this exhibition is the human form through the conversation of five contemporary visual artists. Realism, expressionist writing and the abstract mood coexist fruitfully in this project, allowing the audience to appreciate the varied approaches each artist has taken to representing the human form.
The Athens English Comedy Club is back and better than ever! Founded in 2019, this club is the only place in Athens where performances are all in English. Whether you’re a seasoned comedian or just looking for a good laugh, you can join if you are looking for a night of live comedy- just make sure to bring your best punch line!
Entry: €10- €17
Date & Time: 1-5 November, 8:40 pm
Address: Eliart Theater, 127 Konstantinopoleos, Gazi
Samara Joy’s career took off when she won the Sarah Vaughn International Jazz Singing Competition in 2019. Since then, the international press has idolized the American diva for her rich voice and velvet vocal timbre. Being named a worthy successor to Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, Samara was also awarded two Grammys in 2023, in the categories of Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album. This is a concert you don’t want to miss if you love jazz music!
Entry: €14- €35
Date & Time: 5 November, 8:30 pm
Address: The Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), 115 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens,
ARTHENS is Athens’ only luxury art tour and art consulting company, which immerses its guests in the cultural life of the Greek capital.
Hosted by Theodora Koumoundourou, an experienced contemporary art professional who has a special connection with the city (having been born and raised there) these unique and tailored experiences allow visitors to explore the best modern art shows and studios the city has to offer.
Art consultant Theodora Koumoundourou
Art consultant and founder of ARTHENS, Theodora loves sharing her “insider’s” knowledge with her small tour groups as she takes her clients behind the scenes of Athens’ vibrant modern art community, introducing them directly to young up-and-coming, as well as established artists.
Having worked for various art galleries, art consultancies and museums through the years, including Edel Assanti and Ione & Mann in London, CAN Christina Androulidaki Gallery, Dio Horia Art Platform and The Benaki Museum in Athens, Theodora graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London with an MA (Hons) in Contemporary Art Theory and has acquired diplomas from Sotheby’s in Art Law and Buying and Selling in Auctions.
We recently had a chat with Theodora about her luxury bespoke art tour company that is slowly expanding and will soon include tours that go beyond Athens!
When did your passion for art begin?
I guess my passion for art began while travelling with my family. We always travelled abroad every summer and it was a tradition to visit as many museums or exhibitions as possible at the places we visited. Also, the fact that we had a lot of artists and creatives in our inner family circle helped too.
Tell us more about your work and studies.
My bachelor’s degree was in Fashion and Marketing but from the beginning, I realised that it was not exactly my calling. I was torn between studying art history or fashion, so following art was a natural progression. During my fashion degree, I started some short courses in art at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, where I studied Art Law and Buying and Selling in Auction. That was a good foundation and when I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, I decided to get some experience in art before jumping into a master’s degree. That’s when I moved back to Athens and started an internship at Benaki Museum and at CAN Christina Androulidaki Gallery. Later on, I applied to Goldsmiths University and I was accepted to study for their MA in Art Theory degree. During my Master’s degree, I was working at Edel Assanti Gallery and Ione & Mann art advisory.
When did you launch ARTHENS and how did the idea come about?
After receiving my Master’s at Goldsmiths, I decided to return to Athens. I was interested in art advising and working with young artists, but I hadn’t yet identified what would be my next step. During my first summer back in Greece, I had a few friends from London visiting and naturally I arranged cultural activities for our group. I did my research on the exhibitions based on their interests and I scheduled visits to some artist studios, as I have a lot of friends who are artists. This was during the time that a lot of young creatives who had left Greece either to study or find a better job abroad relocated to Athens, so the city was buzzing and there was great creative energy.
That’s when I realised there wasn’t a company in Athens that provided people with an interest in art with high-quality bespoke art tours; not only to deliver a satisfactory result to the client but also because there are so many different artists and shows to choose from.
I created ARTHENS for collectors and art lovers, so they can discover modern art in Athens; to meet with local artists in their studios, and if interested to also buy art while visiting the city. A sort of souvenir if you wish from their travels.
Furthermore, the art consulting side of ARTHENS is a way to support the local art scene. While introducing our galleries and artists to people from abroad, it’s also a great promotion for our cultural tourism.
How would you describe Athens’ current art scene?
I believe that since 2017-2018 the art scene of Athens has been growing and transforming. When the “wave” of Greek creatives left for abroad and returned back to Greece, they brought with them their experiences and knowledge, so the art scene was instantly “updated and refreshed”. Six years later and this creative notion hasn’t stopped, as I see a lot of foreign creatives moving to Athens constantly and organising their own projects. Athens is a city that’s very inviting to foreigners and it is very easy to meet people here and interact. The artist-run spaces, the independent art projects and exhibitions paired with top-notch exhibitions of renowned artists in big museums and galleries are an alluring “stage” for people.
Tell us more about your art tours and bespoke itineraries.
We provide three types of art tour services: The Contemporary Art tour, the Collector’s tour and the Corporate Art tour & Events.
The Collector’s tour is a bespoke art tour service for individuals who have already started their collecting journey and would like to explore the Greek art market. In case of art purchases, ARTHENS provides them with art advising and handling services such as arranging the documentation, insurance and shipping for them.
The Corporate Art tour is basically an art tour service for bigger groups that want to visit Athens and explore its cultural scene. With this service, we create itineraries based on what the group wishes to visit regarding art and we plan their entire schedule around that- from the hotel that they will stay at, to transportation and the restaurants that they will dine in.
How many galleries would you visit during a tour?
A typical tour includes three gallery visits and one artist studio visit. Our tours are bespoke, so the clients can let us know how they would like the itinerary to be shaped. They can request to go to one gallery and one museum as they may have limited time; maybe visit only an artist’s studio, or we can arrange gallery visits in the evenings during their art openings. Whatever our clients want, we can provide them. However, I always encourage clients to visit artists’ studios. It is so special to meet artists in person- in their private creative space and to interact with them.
Who are your tours designed for?
The tours are designed for people who are interested in art or in collecting and would like to explore Athens’ creative art scene in depth.
My associates and I are always up to date with all the exhibitions and new studios across the city. We try to include “fresh” activities and locations. It’s important for us to offer something refined and to build an exclusive experience for our clients. People and places that can’t be found with a “Google search”.
Are there any additional services you provide for clients?
We always inform and advise our clients on where to eat, where to dance, or where to have a beautiful walk in the city. For larger groups, we are able to provide help with restaurant choices, bookings, hotels and transportation.
How far in advance should people get in contact with you?
Ideally, people who are interested in our tours need to contact us a week in advance, in order for us to have time to analyse their interests and find the proper exhibitions and experiences.
Finally, are you also able to organise art tours in other parts of Greece?
Yes, starting this summer we will be providing art day trips to Hydra for people interested in exploring the island’s vibrant art scene. Some activities include a visit to DESTE Slaughterhouse, where every summer Mr Dakis Joannou and his team create exhibitions by prominent and established artists such as Kara Walker, Kiki Smith, Urs Fischer and others, as well as visits to artist studios around the island.
Hydra was a famous destination during the 50s for artists, directors and poets to retreat and create on the island, such as Marc Chagall, Henry Miller, Leonard Cohen, and Le Corbusier- just to name a few. This has rendered Hydra a centre of artistic creation and many have chosen this island for their summer retreat. I believe that it would be an amazing experience for visitors from abroad to be able to experience a different side of the island during their visit.
Furthermore, as of late, we have started organising art trips abroad. This summer we will be able to provide organised art trips to the Venice Biennale. This will be a three-day tour for people who want to get away on the weekend. Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming art trip!
Art lovers in Athens are invited to view hundreds of paintings, sculptures, ceramics and photography with two amazing evenings of art walks through the city- as the Athens Gallery Walk gives visitors the chance to explore a variety of Athenian galleries that feature a wide range of Greek and international art.
Exhibiting a number of art mediums, styles, and local artists, as well as artists from around the world; the 36 Athenian art galleries participating in this year’s event will be open to the public until 8 pm tonight, Thursday, May 12, and tomorrow Friday, May 13; giving visitors the chance to check out their new exhibitions and to meet many of the artists who will be there for an open dialogue.
Gallery SkoufaRebecca Camhi Gallery
The Gallery Walk has been organised by the Athens Culture Net of the Municipality of Athens in collaboration with the Panhellenic Association of Art Galleries (PSAT) and Art Athina, and is part of This is Athens City Festival, which is taking place throughout the entire month of May.
The event is free to the public and aims to promote the cultural potential of Athens and highlight the artistic creation that has contributed decisively in recent years to the evolution of the capital into a centre and modern culture.
Athens’ Culture, Sports, and Youth Organization (OPANDA) will also participate, with exhibitions at five public buildings: the city’s Municipality Gallery, the Municipality Arts Center, the ‘Melina’ Cultural Center, and the foyer of the Olympia Theater.
Zoumboulakis GalleryEleni Koroneou Gallery
Date: 12-13 May 2022
Admission: Free entry
The following galleries are participating in the Gallery Walk:
1. A.antonopoulou.art – Aristofanous 20
2. Agathi Kartalos Art Gallery – Mithimnis 12 & Eptanisou
Having first opened its doors in 1895, the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus immediately became a jewel in Athens, as well as a cultural landmark of the city – offering inspiration and creation for the Greek theatre and music scene.
Considered a theatre of rich history and beauty, it is housed in a grand neoclassical building designed by architect Ioannis Lazarimos, who through his work on this project was able to highlight some of the finest examples of 19th Century Greek architecture.
Outside the theatre
The style of the building is described as “classicist”, and is highly influenced by German architect Ernst Moritz Theodore Ziller, who designed hundreds of buildings in Athens and was the most famous architect in Greece at the end of the 19th Century.
The façade of the theatre features four Corinthian columns and a condiment; inside, the stage is considered one of the last surviving monuments of the Baroque era in Europe. It consists of a proscenium and a space for the orchestra, and the auditorium features 1300 seats with stalls, boxes, and balconies that are arranged over four levels.
The main room was lit by an enormous chandelier, which can still be seen today. There were also spacious dressing rooms and a luxurious sitting lounge for the actors, while the two-level foyer also hosted balls and exhibitions by renowned Greek artists.
Over the years, a range of prominent Greek directors and actors have performed on this stage and it’s considered one of the best theatres in the country. Hosting both theatrical and musical performances, events and exhibitions has played a major role in the city’s cultural scene.
One of Greece’s most beautiful theatres
Since it first opened, regular maintenance work was done to keep it fresh and inviting, and in 2008, a complete restoration began. In 2013, the stunning building re-opened its doors to the public and curtains were raised once again.
Today, the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus is an imposing neoclassical monument with an exceptional stage, fully operational, with a unique flair. Its extraordinary architecture design still shines through and is worth viewing close up when you are visiting the area, and if you happen to be able to catch a show here, you will undoubtedly be impressed.
An exquisite exhibition exploring the concept of beauty through 300 antiquities that have been gathered from museums and collections in Greece and abroad, is currently taking place at the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens.
On display are three hundred emblematic antiquities from fifty-two museums, collections, and Ephorates of Antiquities throughout Greece, as well as from Italy, and the Vatican. The majority are appearing for the first time outside of the museums of their provenance.
The exhibition named “Kallos. The Ultimate Beauty” was created by Professor Nikolaos Chr. Stampolidis, Director of the Acropolis Museum, former Director of the Museum of Cycladic Art, and Dr. Ioannis D. Fappas, Curator of Antiquities at the museum. With selected exhibits dating mainly from the seventh to the first century BC (from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period) they are complemented by a handful of works of Roman times.
“The ancient Greek word Kallos means ‘beauty’ and is associated with both females and males. We wanted to complete the concept of beauty by also including elements from the philosophical beliefs of the ancient Greeks, elements of virtue, such as wisdom, heroism, self-denial, noble rivalry, and kindness. The Ancient Greeks believed that all these virtues were an integral part of beauty,” announced Sandra Marinopoulou, President & CEO of the Museum of Cycladic Art.
Visitors are able to see statues, vases, sherds (broken ceramics), mirrors, jewellery, perfume vases, accessories of the toilette and beautification (cosmetic unguents, pigments, and so on), objects of clay, stone metal, and terracottas of various periods, mainly Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic figurines, tools for styling the hair, such as iron scissors, little combs, and so on.
The exhibition also hosts a number of antiquities from Magna Graecia, enabling the visitor to understand the phenomenon of the dispersion of the notion of Kallos also to the Greek colonies in the West; with artifacts from the Vatican Museum, the Archaeological Museums of Florence, Naples, Rome, Bologna, Venice, Syracuse, Catania and the National Archaeological Park of Ostia.
A: Neophytou Douka 4, Athens
Dates: Until the 16th of January, 2022
Opening hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm Thursday, Friday: 10 am to 8 pm Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm Tuesday: Closed
Greece’s largest annual international visual art event Art Athina returns both digitally and in-person this year.
Showcasing a curated selection of local and international galleries from Europe, America, and the Oceania region, this edition will be presented at the landmark King George Hotel at Syntagma Square.
Under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the event will take place through the digital platform Art Athina Virtual 2021 and with the exhibition Art Athina Pop Up.
It will be held digitally from November 1 to November 30 and can be visited in person on the ground floor of the King George Hotel in Syntagma Square on November 12-21.
More than 45 galleries from Greece and abroad will participate in the event. The program of this year’s Art Athina includes speeches in the foyer of the Pallas Theater, videos, and performances that will have as a starting point the renewed website of the event and sometimes the streets of the city.
The Panhellenic Association of Art Galleries and the team of Art Athina with artistic director Stamatia Dimitrakopoulou are responsible for the event.
Launched in 1993 by the Hellenic Art Galleries Association, Art-Athina has been promoting Greek contemporary art creation and has been established as a great meeting point for artists from the Greek and the wider international community. It is now the biggest annual international visual art event in Greece.
