Festival "From Olympus to the Wave" / Bloody Hawk, 12th Monkey, Chara / Old Tobacco Factory of Elassona

This event marks the first substantial utilization of the Velesniko Tobacco Factory as a vibrant cultural venue. The old facilities, originally intended to operate as a tobacco factory and warehouses, are being transformed into an industrial setting for youth-driven cultural events, sending a strong message about new uses and development prospects.

The Municipality of Elassona, making use of the relevant concession granted by the Ministry of Rural Development since 2014, is carrying out the first organized intervention to highlight the site. For the first time this year, the Velesniko Tobacco Factory has been connected to water and electricity, while a large, secure parking area with 500 spaces is being developed to accommodate visitors.

The utilization of the Tobacco Factory as a cultural venue is just one of the planned uses. The Municipality of Elassona has already prepared a study for converting part of the facilities into an innovation hub, giving the area new vitality and offering new development opportunities.

The Region of Thessaly and the Municipality of Elassona invite all young people and music lovers to support this new initiative and experience an unforgettable evening, while enjoying the unique atmosphere of a historic industrial space that is gaining new life and a new role in the cultural identity of the region.

The Artists

Three of the most influential and popular artists in the rap scene are coming to the festival: Bloody Hawk, 12ος Πίθηκος (12th Monkey), and Chará.

 Bloody Hawk was born in Xanthi and began his career in 2012 at the age of 16. He is one of those rare artists who mature over time, thrive, grow in popularity and artistic impact, yet never lose touch with the raw essence that shaped their early steps.

A fan of old-school rap, with a fresh air in every musical attempt, always innovative and hardworking like few others, despite all he has achieved in recent years, he remains the "boy next door" loved by longtime fans. Lyricism, realism, passion, and empowerment are some of the core elements that define his songs and his identity—qualities that make him extremely popular among younger generations as well.

With five full-length albums—each better than the last—sold-out shows in stadiums and theaters across Greece and Cyprus, numerous awards, a wide range of social responsibility initiatives, and his recent appearance in cinemas through the hit biographical documentary *“WE: A Film About Bloody Hawk”*, the rapper from Xanthi has established himself as one of the top representatives of his genre and one of the most popular and widely accepted Greek artists, regardless of scene or musical style, all despite his young age.

12^th Monkey is one of the most important figures in the Greek hip-hop scene. After 20 years of a successful career, he continues to innovate and impress with explosive live performances and high-quality releases that keep him at the top of the domestic rap game.

At the height of his artistic evolution, in 2024, he participated in *Red Bull Symphonic*, a groundbreaking collaboration where rap met symphonic music. In a concert held at the Athens Concert Hall, 12ος Πίθηκος, together with the ERT Contemporary Music Orchestra under the direction of Giorgos Aravidis, delivered a unique musical experience that left a lasting mark on the rap scene.

Today, he is in the best phase of his career, celebrating two decades of musical creativity and contribution to the Greek music scene.

Chará, with a striking stage presence and straightforward social lyrics that resonate, has been on a steady rise in the rap game for about four years—despite writing her first rap at the age of just 14. She has just released her debut full-length album, titled *“Sin City”*, which she is currently presenting live on stages across Greece with great success.

TOBACCO FACTORY, ELASSONA
FREE ENTRY