41st Horto Festival – Pelion

From July 3 to July 10, a theatre seminar titled Genetic Memory will take place under the guidance of director, choreographer, and actress Sanja Krsmanovic Tasic. The outcome of the seminar (or the resulting work) will be presented at the Open-Air Theatre on July 9 through the performance Whispers of an Unspoken Past.

On July 12, at the Open-Air Theatre, three choirs and one orchestra will come together for a tribute to composer Nikos Kypourgos. With the composer himself in attendance, the audience will have the opportunity to rediscover The Secrets of the Garden, Lilipoupoli, as well as his music for cinema and theatre. Participating are the Choir and Orchestra of the Music School of Volos, the Mixed Choir of Agria, and the Chortodia.

The July educational program concludes with the workshop Flute, Bassoon and Piano Time, taking place from July 16 to July 27. Focused on the exchange of ideas and the personal development of young musicians, distinguished professors offer a rich program that includes seminars, lectures, individual and group lessons—shaping a vibrant and creative daily experience.

On July 19, the workshop’s instructors will present the Faculty Recital, while the participants will take the stage for the Participants’ Concert, showcasing the work they developed during the workshop.

Throughout the seminar, lectures and spontaneous, daily concerts will take place.

From July 25 to July 27, at the Open-Air Theatre, the children’s workshop titled Playful Whims will take place. For three days, educators Elissavet Petousi and Matina Sgourou will guide our young friends through creative workshops and group games inspired by theatre, music, and the history of the Festival. The workshop offers a joyful and inclusive environment where children explore art through play, expression, and collaboration.

On July 27, Dimitris Baslam will take us on an adventure with the most unconventional robber, narrating the story of “Gargalistis” accompanied by guitar. A little earlier, in the same venue, a wooden spinning top crafting workshop will be held, specially designed for young explorers who love creativity and play.

On July 28, the Labyrinth Choir, conducted by Anita Kupriss from the United States, presents a special musical program as part of its tour in Greece. The repertoire includes works by 20^th and 21^st-century composers, covering a broad spectrum from secular and popular music to sacred choral music, offering the audience a rich and multidimensional musical experience.

On August 2, we welcome the NBQ Jazz Quartet. The quartet of Norbert Bouche will bring the vibrancy of Gypsy Swing to summer Horto. In an energetic evening, the Norbert Bouche Quartet takes us through the musical legacy of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, channeling their explosive and sparkling energy on stage.

From August 3 to August 16, the garden of the Open-Air Theatre transforms for the second consecutive year into a summer cinema, hosting the program Cinema in the Garden in collaboration with Cinobo. During the program, selected films will be screened, creating a unique open-air viewing experience under the stars. The opening, on August 3, will feature a silent film screening (“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”) accompanied live by pianist and jazz improviser Stathis Anninos. This year’s Cinema in the Garden concludes on August 16 with the screening of the documentary Shell by Zetti Fitsiou, with the creators in attendance.

On August 6, at the Giorgos Chatzinikos Hall, a chamber music concert for voice, cello, and piano will take place, featuring works by Beethoven, Shostakovich, Bellini, and Verdi. Performing are soprano Eurydice Novak, cellist Alexandros Kasartzis, and pianist Giorgos Galiatsos.

On August 9, the French theatre company Compagnie TANT PIS POUR LA GLYCIN presents a contemporary rendition of The Birds by Aristophanes, directed by Charron François, with Greek and English surtitles.

On August 13, Teti Kasioni (vocals), Giorgos Athanasiou (guitar), Stavros Parginos (cello), and Dimos Vougioukas (accordion), present MediTera, a musical tribute to the sounds of the Mediterranean.

On August 17, marking the 100th anniversary of Manos Hadjidakis’ birth, the evening features a presentation of the research of author and journalist Giorgos Allamanis, along with a screening of the documentary Idol in the Mirror by Dimitris Vernikos. The event starts at 20:00.

On August 23, soprano Franziska Niewind and pianist Panos Galanopoulos return to Giorgos Chatzinikos Hall with a recital for voice and piano centered on love and nature through classical music and opera.

On August 24, Katerina Theodorou and Achilleas Toloudis tell bilingual fairytales and play music in the performance Fairytales… drops of wisdom, suitable for both adults and children.

On August 30, acclaimed singer Vasilis Agrokostas, together with composer and arranger Zafeiris Koukouselis and their artistic team, present the concert titled Wanderings on the Paths of Greek Music.

On August 31, under the direction of University of Tübingen maestro Philipp Amelung, the choral workshop Hortus Canticus takes place for the fourth consecutive year. Choir members from Greece and abroad join their voices to perform important works from the choral repertoire. The final concert, featuring works by Bach, Schütz, Brahms, Tippett, Stanford, Isaak, and Tallis, will be held on September 6.

On September 21, the festival welcomes piano soloist Apostolos Palios for a midday recital with works from the Classical and Romantic periods.

The 41^st Horto Festival concludes with the Early Music Workshop, taking place from September 25 to September 28, under the guidance of Nikos Panagiotidis and Jörg Meder, culminating in a final midday concert.

All events are held at the Foundation’s Open-Air Theatre and begin at 21:00 unless stated otherwise. Advance ticket sales for events requiring a ticket begin 10 days prior via more.com and one hour before the event at the entrance. For more information and regular updates, visit horto.net.

The 41^st Horto Festival is co-organized with the Municipality of South Pelion, supported by the Ministry of Culture, while the Cinema in the Garden initiative is co-organized with the Region of Thessaly.