Greece stages historic performances in Ancient Messene and Thessaloniki

The ancient theater of Messene hosted the premiere of the play Lysistrates on 30‑31 July 2026, a production directed by Tzína Thliverí as part of the Ministry of Culture’s “All Greece a Culture 2026” program. The performance reinterpreted Aristophanes’ comedy with original music by Giorgos Triantafyllou, live percussion by Stávos Tsoumanís and choreography by Eiríni Alexíou, emphasizing themes of peaceful female resistance.

In Thessaloniki, the municipality organized a free concert titled “Festival of Democracy” on 24 July 2026 at the City Hall to mark the 52nd anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece. Veteran singer Maria Farantouri headlined the event, accompanied by a folk orchestra and a photographic exhibition from the Vasilis Bozíki archive. The concert honored the role of culture in the anti‑dictatorship struggle and highlighted the ongoing commitment to democratic values.