Epidaurus

Ancient sites, from the Epidaurus Theatre to the legendary Mycenae citadel, uncovering Greece’s rich history and myths

Pantelis Flatsousis and his team present a unique performance at the Little Theater of Ancient Epidaurus. Based on Aeschylus' classic play "Seven Against Thebes," this production explores the theme of war and its devastating consequences.

Commemorating the centenary of Maria Callas' birth, in conjunction with Frank Castorf's production, the Epidaurus (aefestival.gr) exhibition hall is set to reopen after a 22-year hiatus, thanks to the support of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports.

The iconoclastic Berlin-based pianist, composer and producer Nils Frahm will be performing at the Herod Atticus Theater as part of the Athens-Epidaurus Festival. Known for his captivating concerts, Frahm is renowned for his unconventionally compelling piano playing that has won him fans all over the world. Tickets are available on the Athens-Epidaurus Festival website, aefestival.gr.

British-Irish folk rock band the Waterboys are coming back to Greece this summer for another electrifying show. The Big Music outfit formed in 1983 and known for hits including "The Whole of the Moon" will be performing at the Herod Atticus Theater as part of the Athens-Epidaurus Festival. Tickets can be purchased on the Athens-Epidaurus Festival site, aefestival.gr.

A pioneer with a six-decade career marked by major milestones like founding the Velvet Underground and discovering the likes of the Stooges, Iggy Pop and Patti Smith, Welsh musician, composer and producer John Cale is performing at the Herod Atticus Theater as part of the Athens & Epidaurus Festival (aefestival.gr).

A cynic would say that it's just another of the many online arguments that kick off every so often: The logos of Levi's, McDonalds, Apple, Marlboro and other American corporate giants that make up part of the set in the Greek National Opera's production of "Madama Butterfly" which is currently on at the Herod Atticus Theater have sparked outrage on social media.

The music from "Madame Butterfly" and other major operas is known to Greek audiences largely through the recorded performances of Maria Callas, the U.S.-born Greek artist who died in 1977 and is still revered here.

The Athens-Epidaurus Festival (aefestival.gr) is inaugurating its program at the cool Pireos 260 venue with a feast of shows for the week starting on June 7. On Stage D, avant-garde Russian theater and film director Kirill Serebrennikov is making his Greek debut with a performance expressing his opposition to Moscow and its invasion of Ukraine.

A team of 48 scientists from seven universities and research institutions have begun identifying and recording the many different species of plants and animals that have taken refuge in archaeological sites such as Delos (photo), the Ancient Agora in Athens, Epidaurus and Acrocorinth. Thanks to their special protection conditions, the ruins provide shelter to a multitude of life forms.