Whether you’re a fan of performing arts, cinema, art exhibitions or festivals, step away from your screens and gear up for this month’s biggest events! September is bursting with new exhibitions to discover and irresistible cultural events.

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We’ve put September’s top arts & culture events under the spotlight to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

‘Eins Zwei Drei’ by Martin Zimmermann at Pireos 260

A hilarious spectacle mirroring the complexity and violence of contemporary relationships and power struggles unfolds when three clowns show up and turn everything upside down. The roles are interpreted by three virtuoso performers, Tarek Halaby, Dimitri Jourde and Romeau Runa, to the sounds of pianist Collin Vallon. At Pireos 260, September 9-10.

Tickets: €5-€35

Dates: 9-10/09

Time: 21:00

Address: 260 Pireos, Tavros

Tel: +30 2103272000

Aristophanes’ ‘The Knights’, directed by Konstantinos Rigos

This summer, “The Knights”, one of Aristophanes’ most explicitly political comedies, was presented with great success at provincial theatres around the country in a production directed by Konstantinos Rigos. It is now being presented at Athenian theatres from September 1 to 22 (Petras Theatre; School of Athens – Irene Pappas; Vrahon Theatre “Melina Mercouri”; and the Katrakeio Theatre of Nikaia).

Tickets: €14-18

Dates: 1-22/09

Time: 21:00

Addresses: Petras Theatre, 25th Martiou Ave & Souliou, Petroupoli, 132 31, +302105012402

School of Athens – Irene Pappas, 52 Athinon Pireos, Piraeus, 185 47, +30 2104833647

Vrahon Theatre “Melina Mercouri”, Vyronas, 162 32, +30 210 7626438/738

Katrakeio Theatre of Nikaia, Akropoleos & Nestoros (Ag. Philipou Park). Nikaia, 184 51, +302104927467

Website: n.t.gr

49th Zappeion Book Festival

The 49th Zappeion Book Festival, being staged at its customary open-air location outside Zappeion Hall from September 3 to 19, honours the timeless value of books and sheds light on the cultural side of Athens. For this year’s edition, the book festival is paying tribute to the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.

Free admission

Dates: 3-19/09

Time: Mon-Thu: 18:00-22:30, Fri & Sat: 18:00-23:00, Sun: 10:30-15:00 & 18:00-22:30

Address: Zappeion, Amalias Ave

Tel: +30 2103303942, +30 2103302523

Website: sekb.gr

SNFCC: Open-air cinema in September

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center’s Park Your Cinema open-air film screenings will continue into September. All films will be screened at the Panoramic Steps, starting at 20:30. Admission is free but online pre-registration is required. From September 3.

Tickets: Free admission, online pre-registration needed

Dates: 3-13/09

Time: 20:30

Address: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, 364 Syggrou Ave, 176 74, Kallithea

Tel: +30 216 8091000

Website: snfcc.org

iLLustradays 2021: First illustration festival in Greece

A celebration filled with colour and art from all over the world, creative workshops and new ideas awaits the public at the Melina Cultural Centre from September 3 to 12. Emerging talent, illustrators based in Greece, guests from abroad, and illustration aficionados will all gather for this event.

Tickets: Free admission

Dates: 3-12/09

Time: 11:00-20:00

Address: Melina Cultural Centre, 66 Irakleidon, Athens

Tel: +30 21 0345 2150

Website: illustradays.gr

Aristophanes’ ‘The Frogs’ at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Director Argyro Hioti made her Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus debut this summer with Aristophanes’ “The Frogs” in a new modern Greek translation by poet Nikos Panagiotopoulos. Aristophanes’ protagonist heads to the underworld in search of a poet who can save the city. The production will be performed in Athens at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on September 7.

Tickets: VIP – €35; Zone A – €35; Zone B – €25; Zone C – €25; Zone D – €17; Zone E – €12; Zone F – €10

Date: 7/09

Time: 21:00

Address: Dionysiou Areopagitou, Acropolis, 117 42

Tel: +30 2103241807

The Space Cadet at the National Observatory of Athens: Dance journey into space

The dance production “The Space Cadet”, presented by the Third Planet group and choreographer Chloe Aligianni, bridges space science with lighting design, sound art, visual arts, modern dance and hip-hop culture. September 7-8 at the National Observatory of Athens.

Tickets: €10

Dates: 7-8/09

Time: 21:00

Address: National Observatory of Athens, Nymphs Hill, 118 10, Thissio

Tel: +30 2103490000

Website: noa.gr

Takis – Cosmos in Motion: 46 iconic sculptures by internationally acclaimed artist Takis at the SNFCC

The exhibition “Takis – Cosmos in Motion”, made possible by a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), presents 46 definitive sculptures by prominent visual artist Takis (Panayiotis Vassilakis, 1925-2019) at the public spaces of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). Until November 7.

Tickets: Free admission

Address: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, 364 Syggrou Ave, Kallithea, 176 74

Tel: +30 216 809 1000

Website: snfcc.org

‘Dress Like a Greek’ Benaki Museum exhibition at Athens International Airport

The exhibition “Dress Like a Greek”, prepared to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution in 1821, was launched in July and will run until the end of the year. Images in the form of banners, displayed along the routes covered by incoming passengers at Athens International Airport, depict official Greek costumes introduced by Greece’s first royal couple, King Otto and Queen Amalia.

Dates: Until December 31, 2021

Address: Athens International Airport

Tel. +30 2103530000

Website: aia.gr

Led Zeppelin Symphonic at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Following a sold-out performance at the London Palladium as part of a world tour, the Led Zeppelin Symphonic is presented in Athens at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on September 10 and 11, both shows beginning at 9pm. The touring Led Zeppelin Symphonic, comprising a rock band and astonishing singers from London’s West End, joined by the Athens Philharmonia Pop Orchestra, will perform legendary rock band Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits.

Tickets: €32-€94

Dates: 10-11/09

Time: 21:00

Address: Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athens, 105 55

Tel: +30 2103241807

Jonas Kaufmann at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Highly acclaimed German tenor Jonas Kaufmann will perform one show, on September 13 at 21:00, at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a unique recital with the Orchestra of the Greek National Opera, conducted by Jochen Rieder. Kaufmann will perform arias by Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, Georges Bizet, Pietro Mascagni, Jules Massenet and Umberto Giordano.

Tickets: €40, €60, €80, €90, €120, €200

Date: 13/09

Time: 21:00

Address: Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athens, 105 55

Tel: +30 2103241807

‘Ichneutae’ by Sophocles at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Sophocles’ satyr play “Ichneutae”, directed by Michail Marmarinos, is presented September 16 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

Tickets: VIP – €35; Zone A – €35; Zone B – €25; Zone C – €25; Zone D – €17; Zone E – €12; Zone F – €10; Zone G – €10. Online: Ticketservices.gr

Date: 16/09

Address: Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athens, 105 55

Tel: +30 2103241807

‘Odyssey: A Story for Hollywood’ at Pireos 260

Polish director Krzysztof Warlikowski, inspired by Homer’s epic The Odyssey and two works by Hanna Krall, presents a woman’s Odyssey during World War II. In his “Odyssey: A Story for Hollywood”, a modern-day Penelope risks her life to ensure her husband’s return home. The story is tailor-made for a Hollywood movie, as suggested by its title. September 17-19. With Greek and English surtitles.

Tickets: Tickets: VIP – €40; Zone A – €30; Students/Artist union card holders – €24; Zone B – €20, Students/ Artist union card holders – €16; Disabled persons/unemployed/art school students – €5.

Dates: 17-19/09

Time: 20:00

Address: 260 Pireos (entrance from Pireos St only)

Tel: +30 210 9282900

Bellucci as Callas at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Monica Belluccci will be at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on September 21, 22 and 23 for the play “Maria Callas: Letters & Memories”, inspired by the late diva’s letters, memoirs, photographs and other memorabilia. The performance is directed by Tow Volf. Belluccci will be musically accompanied by the Camerata – Friends of Music Orchestra, conducted by prominent Greek maestro Giorgos Petrou.

Tickets: Tickets: VIP 1 – €120; VIP 2 – €100; Zone A – €90; Zone B – €70; Zone C – €60; Zone D – €45; Zone E – €30; restricted view seats €10 Online: Ticketservices.gr

Dates: 21-23/09

Time: 21:00

Address: Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athens, 105 55

Tel: +30 2103241807

‘The Seven Deaths of Maria Callas’ by Marina Abramovic

The Greek National Opera presents an operatic project about Maria Callas by the priestess of performance art Marina Abramovic at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center’s Stavros Niarchos Hall on September 24, 25, 26, 28 and 29. This project is a co-production of Greek National Opera, the Bavarian State Opera, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Opera national de Paris and the Teatro di San Carlo of Naples.

Tickets: €20, €35, €40, €55, €65, €70, €100, students & children €12, restricted view seats €10 Online: Ticketservices.gr

Dates: 24-26/09, 28-29/09

Time: 19.30 (Sunday 18:30)

Address: Stavros Niarchos Hall, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, 364 Syggrou Ave, Kallithea, 176 74

Tel: +30 2107234567

Website: nationalopera.gr

Tiger Lillies at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Unconventional British group Tiger Lillies returns to Athens for an intriguing show entitled “The Crack of Doom and other quarantine tales” at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on September 29. The Grammy-nominated act will premiere its new album “Greek Songs” along with material recorded during lockdown and selections from a 30-year career.

Tickets: Upper Zones: €25, €30, €35, €40; Lower Zones: €50, €60, €70, €80; Disabled persons €25. On sale at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus box office Mon-Sun, 10:00-14:00 and on the day of the performance, subject to availability, 18:00-21:00. Online: greekfestival.gr, tameia@greekfestival.gr

Date: 29/09

Time: 20:00

Address: Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athens, 105 55

Tel: +30 2103241807

‘Kallos: The Ultimate Beauty’ exhibition at the Museum of Cycladic Art

The Museum of Cycladic Art presents a significant and extensive archaeological exhibition titled “Kallos: The Ultimate Beauty”, curated by the museum’s director Professor Nicholas Chr. Stampolidis, and archaeologist Dr. Ioannis Fappas, Curator of Antiquities, from September 29 to January 16, 2022. The exhibition will include 300 artefacts from museums and collections in Greece, Italy and the Vatican.

Dates: 29/09-16/01

Time: Mon-Wed-Fri-Sat: 10:00-17:00; Thu 10:00-20:00; Sun: 11:00-17:00. Closed on Tuesdays

Address: 4 Neofytou Douka, 106 74, Athens

Tel: +30 210 7228321-3

Website: : www.cycladic.gr

Sting at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Music icon Sting returns to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for two exciting evenings on September 30 and October 1. The long-serving performer will be joined by his son Joe Sumner as well as an electric rock band line-up comprising Dominic Miller (guitar), Josh Freese (drums), Rufus Miller (guitar), Kevon Webster (keyboards), Shane Sager (harmonica) and two vocalists, Melissa Musique and Gene Noble.

Tickets: VIP – €275; Zone A – €159.50; Zone B – €118.80; Zone C – €96.80; Zone D – €79.20; Zone E – €74.80; Zone F – €57.20; Disabled persons: €44. Advance tickets: www.highpriority.gr www.ticketmaster.gr, Public stores retail chain

Dates: 30/09, 1/10

Time: 19:30

Address: Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athens, 105 55

Tel: +30 2103241807

‘Figures of ’21’ at the Benaki Museum’s Pireos St branch

An exhibition by Jannis Psychopedis entitled “Figures of ‘21” includes paintings, engravings and drawings, all recent work created by the artist during the lockdown period. It was inspired by thoughts and contemplation in connection with the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution in 1821. The exhibition will run until the end of October.

Tickets: €6, €3 at the museum or online through tickets.benaki.org

Dates: 17/07-31/10

Address: 138 Pireos, Athens, 118 54

Tel: +30 210 3453111

Website: benaki.org