One of Greece’s most significant contemporary dance events returns this July in the capital of Messinia in the Peloponnese.
Now in its 30th year, the Kalamata Dance Festival dedicates its anniversary edition to ‘the Artists of Movement’, “who choose the challenging path of the art of dance, serving one of the oldest forms of expression in the face of time and decay.”
The program was created with this in mind, organisers say, and brought to fruition through the collaboration of its artistic director Linda Kapetanea, the mayor of Kalamata and Greece’s culture ministry.
Taking place from 12 to 21 July, the festival’s main artistic program features a total of 19 productions, of which 10 are from Greece.
International artists hosted this year, come from the UK, Germany, France, Serbia, Spain, Italy, Slovakia, and Mozambique.
Aside from the Main Stage performances, events will be held at the Kalamata Dance Megaron, in public spaces in Kalamata and other cities of the Peloponnese region such as Tripoli, Pylos and Nafplio, as well as activities in collaboration with other institutions and workshops for dance students, professionals and the general public.
The festival will conclude as it does every year with the ‘Art Within One’ event, a dance battle of one-minute improvisations at the Kalamata Main Square.
Watch the festival trailer here
