The Epidaurus Festival 2021 does not have its program with the Artistic Director, Katerina Evagelatos presenting its design, in the second year that it operates under special conditions and as she states: “Within us, joy fights with the concern for the constant upheavals brought by pandemic in the work and lives of all of us. It is the second year that we have created multiple plans to spread our events.”

Despite the difficult conditions, the Festival, “the summer home of thousands of artists and technical performers from the free Theater, Dance, Visual Arts and Music”, as stated by the artistic director, this year emphasizes Greek creation. At the same time, about a thousand more artists and other contributors from leading European and American institutions have been invited to the Athens and Epidaurus Festival and are working on new creations and co-productions, as long as the conditions allow them to be presented live.

The Athens and Epidaurus Festival 2021 in numbers: it will present over 80 productions, giving priority to Greek creators. In particular, the Greek productions exceed 50, while the productions from abroad are around 30. In addition, the Festival expands its international co-productions in the field of performing arts, presenting this year 10 new works in collaboration with leading cultural organizations from Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, USA and Canada. Some of these works are by Greek creators which, after their premiere in Athens, will be hosted as co-productions on stages abroad, thus strengthening the dialogue between Greek and foreign artists.

As for the summer of 2020, all the productions that were cancelled last year have been moved to this year, while with a new corporate identity the Festival “opens sails for new journeys”, drawing inspiration from its long history but also building a modern artistic identity.