Plisskën Festival is pleased to announce the full lineup for Summer Plisskën 2019 which takes place on 26 & 27 June at Technopolis, the well-known and loved cultural venue in the heart of Athens historic center.

Loyal to its tradition of showcasing a line-up celebrating a broad mix of styles and quality, with both established and up-and-coming artists, Plisskën’s lineup consists once more of a vast variety of live acts, producers and DJs. From indie and funk to electronic and synth-pop, Plisskën Festival’s 3 stages will host some of the freshest and biggest names in the music scene at the moment. Giorgio Moroder, the man, the myth, the legend disco and electronic music pioneer, Tinariwen, the masterful Tuareg musicians from the Sahara Desert, The Black Madonna, the underground star of house music, are some of this year’s headliners.

The lineup also includes the acclaimed indie Swedish band Peter Bjorn and John, the soul musical collective of Jungle and the atmospheric producer Nicola Cruz. Other Greek premiers include Donny Benet, Bombino and Giant Swan. Alongside the innovative live acts of Deena Abdelwahed, Plisskën Festival will host eclectic DJ sets by world-class electonic artists incuding Lena Willikens, Rone, Poldoore, Prison Religion and our beloved Optimo.

Aside from another hard-hitting, eclectic line-up, Plisskën also continues to push the boundaries of their environmental and social ethos. With an Environmental Policy Strategy at place since 2010, they’ve received 2 ‘Commended’ ratings for two consecutive years from the Greener Festival Awards global governing body. And The Lab, an annual free workshop organised by Plisskën, takes place in Athens prior to the festival. Through a number of theoretical and practical seminars hosted by professionals in their respective fields, The Lab participants get the chance to learn about all of the elements that comprise putting on a festival. Lets Do Summer! 2 days, 3 stages, 12 hours of music, a big Food Court with the very best of flavours, a luscious and refreshing Cocktail Bar, a Lounge to rest ones dancing feet, and numerous other activities!

“Plisskën is rammed, fizzing with energy and nobody goes home until dawn” – The Guardian
“A righteous celebration of noise” – Drowned in Sound
“Plisskën bodes a great location, an eco-friendly policy and an incredible lineup..” – Culture Collide
“Athens Awesome Plisskën Festival ” – Noisey

 

The Australian Embassy in Athens is hosting two prominent authors and researchers for a unique presentation on Greek presence in Australia over the last 200 years on 27 June.

Leonard Janiszewski & Effy Alexakis, authors of 'Greek Cafés & Milk Bars of Australia', will present a unique chronicle and photographic journey across the diversity of Australia’s Greek presence over the last 200 years, on Thursday 27 June, at 18:30, at the Australian Embassy.

The event is open to the public, however, RSVP is necessary as seating is limited. If you wish to attend, please send an email to ae.athens@dfat.gov.au with your name and phone number. We will confirm your attendance by 24 June on a 'first-come-first-served' basis!

The lecture chronicles the depth and diversity of Australia’s Greek presence over the last 200 years.

We may never know who the first Greek to set foot on Australian soil was – as in Homer’s Odyssey, memory and myth have become one. However, in the early 1800s, Antipodean shores beckoned, gently at first – tentative ripples carrying the convicted, the adventurous and those desirous of new beginnings.

By the 1850s the gentle ripples of Australia’s early Greek presence surrendered to the first real wave of Greek migration – gold swiftly sweeping away the ‘tyranny of distance’ and the uncertainty of economic opportunities upon arrival. The first collective Greek settlements arose and ‘chain migration’ stimulated. In the 1890s, formal Greek communities were established in Melbourne and Sydney. By 1939, some 15,000 people of Greek heritage resided in the country. Following World War II, a larger, rapid and fiercer human inundation occurred: mass migration.

Between 1953 and 1956, almost 30,000 Greeks arrived in Australia. ‘Bride ships’ brought over large numbers of single Greek women. Between 1947 and the early 1980s, some 250,000 Greeks arrived in Australia. More recently, since the onset of the Greek economic crisis in 2008, Australia has again become a major destination for Greek migration, particularly to Melbourne.

Australia’s contemporary Greek community, including those of Greek descent, ranges in estimates from 500,000 to 700,000. As Janiszewski’s and Alexakis’ presentation will confidently highlight, it is a community that is as diverse within itself, as the multicultural Australian society in which it exists.

Photo info: Bill Florence (Vasilios Florias) being welcomed to Australia

Melbourne, Vic., 1922

Born on the Greek island of Ithaca, Bill arrived in Melbourne in 1922 as a young teenager. He became part of the chain migration of his family to Australia – his father two brothers and sister having journeyed out earlier.

Photo courtesy S. Raftopoulos and J. Florence, from the ‘In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians’ National Project Archives, Macquarie University, Sydney

Four years after her first concert in Greece, the true rock star Beth Hart returns to Athens in June 2019 for one big blues rock concert at the Theatro Vrachon “Melina Mercouri”.

Beth Hart, the singer and composer with the raw voice, the dynamic stage presence, the sold out concerts in America, Asia, Australia and Europe, the successful albums and the collaborations with huge names of the music industry is having one of the best moments in her career so far.

In the last three years, Beth Hart has released two personal albums and one more “Black Coffee” (January 2018), with song covers, in which she sings on the side of Joe Bonamassa. She recently released, also in Greece, her new double album “Beth Hart live at The Royal Albert Hall”.

For more than two decades, Beth Hart has been driving her audience crazy. Known for her passion, she rocks the stage with her soul and never fails to amaze with her vocal abilities and her endless energy. In her longstanding career she counts numerous awards such as three Blues Music Awards (two Female Blues Artist awards and one as Instrumentalist – Vocals). She has been a Grammy nominee while guitar-legends such as Jeff Beck, Slash, Joe Bonamassa and Buddy Guy have shared the stage with her and have also collaborated in the studio.

The power-duo The Big Nose Attack will be opening Beth Hart's concert at the Vrachon Theater. Known for their distinct sound, a combination of blues and their own untamed rock elements of the '70s, counting numerous shows and having taken part in big festivals in Greece as well as abroad, The Big Nose Attack will rock the stage of the Vrachon Theater!

The explosive Beth Hart puts Greece on the map of her world tour in 2019 and sets the date for the 27^th June at the Theatro Vrachon “Melina Mercouri”! A true blues rock concert we definitely wouldn’t miss!

Athens will proudly be one of the 36 stops of Yo-Yo Ma's World Tour on the 30th of June.

Yo-Yo Ma is widely considered the greatest cellist globally and with the Bach Project he will perform 6 unaccompanied suites of Bach on cello, at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

His performance is undoubtedly one of the musical highlights of this summer since his incredible talent has led him to some amazing collaborations with famous singers, such as Carlos Santana, and his participation in well-known movie's soundtracks like ''The Mission'' and ''Memoirs of a Geisha''.

This true world-class performance presented by the Athens Festival will definitely be an unforgettable experience.

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XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor Of the Athens & Epidaurus Festival

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Stones Speak 
The works of ancient Greek philosophers are presented in three languages (Greek, English, French) in the form of theatre events held at major museums and archaeological sites in Athens!  

Hours and dates: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11:00-13:00
Where: Major museums & archaeological sites
Tickets: Free



A tribute to cello
Inspired by the internationally acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who will perform at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on June 30, Young Greek Classics will feature the work of young, already accomplished Greek cellists and other talented musicians, in what will prove to be a fascinating and high-quality program.

Dates & Hours: July 1st, 3rd, 4th at 21:00
Tickets: € 5
Where: Athens Conservatoire 



Kypseli – New Kids on the Block
Pantelis Flatsousis undertakes a unique project linked to this year’s Festival’s tribute to children. Based on narratives by children living in Kypseli, this performance will shed light on the everyday life and history of this neighborhood through the eyes of children of various ethnic 

Dates & Hours: From July 1st until July 4th at 20:30 
Where: 15th High School of Kypseli 
Tickets provided on a first-come-first-served basis.



Against Freedom
Vassilis Mavrogeorgiou, a popular actor, writer and director, chose this play for its subversive style, which at times reads as a contemporary version of the Theatre of the Absurd. Mavrogeorgiou focuses on the characters’ sense of loneliness and desolation, the sense that humanity bids farewell to the old world.

Dates & Hours: July 2nd, 3rd, 4th at 21:00 & July 5th at 18:00
Where: Peiraios 260
Tickets: From  € 5



Love Story
What kind of stories are we willing to listen to? What kind of stories move us? Why is it that viewers who will weep when watching movies will remain unmoved in the face of real-life human suffering? This seven-channel video-installation by the South African artist Candice Breitz interrogates the mechanisms of identification and empathy.

Dates & Hours: From May 30th until July 7th at 19:00
Where: Peiraios 260
Tickets: Free

The future of contemporary dance on stage: a National School of Dance and Athens & Epidaurus Festival collaboration involving internationally acclaimed Greek choreographers and young dancers, dance students and graduates of the National School of Dance (KSOT).

Dates & Hours: From July 4th until July 7th at 21:00

Where: Peiraios 260

Tickets: Free admission with tickets from the Festival main box office

Stories From A Parallel Reality
Men and women of all age groups, former drug addicts, take us along on a tour through public spaces, employing sound narratives and documents, charting and mapping out the city in their own, unique way. 

Dates & Hours: From May 3rd until July 9th at 20:00

Where: ΚΕΤΗΕA Rehabilitation Centre

Tickets: Free 

The internationally acclaimed conductor Riccardo Muti returns to Athens and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for the first time in 11 years with The Roads of Friendship. Muti, one of the greatest conductors in the world, has numerous awards to his name and conducted major orchestras, among which the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Wiener Philharmoniker, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
Sophocles’ masterpiece and arguably the ancient Greek tragedy par excellence begins with a mystery. The city of Thebes is afflicted with the plague. King Oedipus wants to know why this is the case.

In 2011, the artist Pavlos Tsakonas was inspired by Albrech Dürer’s popular 1508 pen-and-ink drawing Praying Hands (German: Betende Hände), creating artwork at Peiraios street, near Omonia Square, that was massively appealing and interacted with its surroundings thanks to its dramatic style and monumental proportions.

This summer will see the first-ever collaboration between the Athens Festival and the Museum of Greek Children’s Art, one of the very few museums of its kind in the world!

 

 

Iphigenia in Aulis by Euripides
One of Euripides’ late plays, it was written between 408 and 406 BC and presented posthumously at the Great Dionysia, where it won first prize. The tragedy focuses on the fateful decision of Agamemnon, commander of the Greek forces, to sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia.

Dates & Hours: July 19 & 20 at 21:00
Where: Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Tickets: From €5



Electra / Orestes
This performance marks the first time ever that the oldest active theatre company in the world will perform at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.

Dates & Hours: July 26 & 27 at 21:30
Where: Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Tickets: From € 10



Picasso and Antiquity. Line and Clay
In the exhibition Picasso and Antiquity. Line and Clay, rare Picasso works, depicting sea creatures, animals, human figures, mythological episodes, scenes inspired from ancient tragedies and comedies, find themselves juxtaposed with ancient artifacts, thus creating a true “Divine Dialogue.” 

Dates: From May 20th until October 20th at 10:00
Where: Museum of Cycladic Art 
Tickets: Visit cycladic.gr

Opening Hours: Monday - Wednesday - Friday - Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 20:00
Sunday: 11:00 - 17:00
Tuesday: closed

After many months of anticipation the Street Food and Tunes returns on Tuesday, July 2nd with a bar Italia party by the sea, which will mark the beginning of a great summer!

No stress, sipping a refreshing cocktail, enjoying the sea, listening to music you love... that's what summer is all about!

So on July 2nd let's imagine we're in beautiful Italy, with delicious pizzas, pasta, risotto, fresh bubbly drinks, and traditional gelato!

Street Food Menu:

Vera Pizza Napoletana
1. Margherita: tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, grated parmesan cheese and pecorino 5.90 €
2. Diavola: tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami Napoli, nduja 6,50 €
3. Carbonara (Bianca): cream, egg, ham, pancetta, grated parmesan cheese and pecorino 6.50 €

Pasta (Visitors can choose between Penne / Orecchiette / Strozzapreti)
1. Napoletana: tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, tomatoes 6.10 €
2. Pollo e Funghi: chicken, ribbed mushrooms, truffle oil, white wine, cream, onion, garlic, thyme 6,60 €

Risotto
1. Risotto ai Funghi: risotto with a variety of mushrooms, parmesan, truffle oil 6,10 €

Cocktail / Birra / Vino
1. Aperol Spritz: Aperol, Prosecco, soda 7.5 €
2. Sangria Bianca: white wine, yuzu lemon syrup, cherry plum syrup, triple sec, grapefruit juice, raspberries 6,50 €
3. Pinot Grigio, Cantine Pirovano Garganega White (glass 180ml) 4 €
4. Birra Moretti L 'Autentica (400ml) 4 €

Gelato
Ice cream  3 €

The Funky Gourmet summer Pop-Up at Costa Navarino brings a 2 Michelin Star dining experience in Messinia, Peloponnese.

This summer, Funky Gourmet will operate in the stunning location of the brand new, earth-sheltered clubhouse at the Navarino Bay resort area in Costa Navarino, for 6 weeks only, from July 8th to August 17th.

Overlooking the historic bay with the spectacular sunset vistas, our multi-awarded Chefs Georgianna Hiliadaki and Nikos Roussos will showcase a 2-hour gastronomic journey, offering a degustation menu of Avant Garde Messinian–Greek cuisine.

The Chefs saw this partnership with Costa Navarino as an opportunity to study the Messinian food culture. Local ingredients and traditions will be brought to life, combining the high-quality raw materials of the region with avant-garde cooking techniques and a unique presentation, transforming the guests’ dinner into an unconventional culinary experience.

The wine list will be a tribute to Greek wines, while an exclusive wine pairing will be also available for the wine lovers.

This unique experience will come alive with colors, aromas and flavors, composing a delicious canvas that will appeal to all senses and elevate the Messinian gastronomy to new sensory heights!

The internationally acclaimed conductor Riccardo Muti returns to Athens and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for the first time in 11 years with The Roads of Friendship. This annual musical pilgrimage, curated by Ravenna Festival since 1997, has taken Muti and an ensemble of Italian musicians to historic cities of the past and the present, where they have performed together with local musicians. On each occasion they have also performed in Ravenna, thus strengthening the bond of friendship through the universal language of music. After concerts in cities as diverse as Sarajevo, Beirut, Jerusalem, Cairo and Tehran, the project has chosen Greece, the cradle of Western culture, as its next destination Athens is connected to Ravenna by the Mediterranean Sea, a body of water whose vocation is to unite rather than to separate, and by the common Byzantine ties.

Muti, one of the greatest conductors in the world, has numerous awards to his name and conducted major orchestras, among which the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Wiener Philharmoniker, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also enjoys a long and close collaboration with the Salzburg Festival.

Under Muti’s baton, Italian and Greek musicians and choristers will collectively present Beethoven’s ever-popular Symphony No. 9, appealing to the sentiment of brotherhood that is the hallmark of Ode to Joy. 

For more events of the Athens & Epidaurus Festival click HERE! 

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XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor Of the Athens & Epidaurus Festival

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Line up:
20:00 | Matina Sous Peau Dj set
21:15 | Minor Project
22:30 | Katerine Duska

A few months after her participation in the Eurovision song contest, Katerine Duska, who drew all eyes to her and won the hearts of us all, will appear on stage for the first time at this big summer festival, for a long-awaited live performance! The full moon sky and the girl with the “One in a million”voice, the ultimate soulful timbre, and the radio hit “Better Love” are expected to cause nothing less than a stir at Technopolis on the night of July 17. Set to take us on an ethereal musical journey to remember, the Greek-Canadian singer and songwriter, who has some enviable collaborations with internationally acclaimed artists under her belt, including LP, Tom Baxter, Yasmine Hamdan, Oddisee, and Kadebostany, will perform her own songs as well as popular and favourite cover versions. Technopolis’ illuminated chimneys and the perfectly round moon seem to be –and most definitely will be– the perfect setting!

Earlier the same night, the band Minor Project with its indie-oriented crossover repertoire consisting of songs with both English and Greek lyrics will add to the amazing musical combo of the Full Moon Fiesta. Minor Project’s songs give off a nostalgic cinematic vibe that brings summer images and carefree days to mind. All of us got the tune of the dreamy “In Colors” stuck in our heads at some point, thus explaining why it remained in the top 3 on the Shazam and itunesGR charts for so long! The band has teamed up with many distinguished artists and takes us on a trip out on the sea with songs such as “Ekdromi”, the result of a special collaboration with Dimitra Galani, and “From Folegandros to Kos”. Minor Project have become a firm favourite with radio listeners and audiences who have seen them perform live and they will be joining us this summer night at Technopolis to talk to us about our very favourite colors and unexpected journeys.

The fiesta will open with a super groovy dj set by Matina Sous Peau who returns to Technopolis after the unforgettable Let’s be late! dance event that took place in March at the Industrial Gas Museum. She promises once again to get us singing and moving along her creative mashups and our beloved dance hits. The DJ/music producer, who has managed to win over the Greek audience at jam-packed parties taking place across Athens, could not be absent from the ultimate summer event! Sweet summer vibes, full moon, music, your friends, and... a super festive mood are waiting for you at the Full Moon Fiesta! Unless you are already on an island, you can’t miss it!

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