Inauguration of international dance festival outside Athens historic stadium

Record ID: 2340775

  • Title: Inauguration of international dance festival outside Athens historic stadium
  • Date: 14th February 2026
  • Summary: DUBAI, UAE (FEBRUARY 10, 2026) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPECTATOR, JAQUELIANE FANUCCI, SAYING: “You know this isn't something you get to see in your everyday life. The skills, everything. This is one of those opportunities where this is the only time you get to see the competence, the skill needed. It's so exciting to actually get to see up close. So it's like you s
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: ATHENS DANCE FESTIVAL GREECE OLYMPIC PANATHENAIC STADIUM
  • Location: ATHENS, GREECE
  • City: ATHENS, GREECE
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe
  • Reuters ID: LVA005548114022026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Dancers from Greece, Cyprus and several other countries gathered on Friday night (February 13) outside the Athens’ Panathenaic Stadium for the 30th Xenios Zeus Dance Festival, a three-day celebration of traditional and contemporary dance that organisers say aims to promote cultural exchange and tourism.
    The event, founded in 2012, features performances spanning Greek folk traditions, Cypriot dances and international choreographies, alongside music and theatrical elements.
    Dozens of performers danced outside the stadium, known in Greek as "Kallimarmaro", moving in synchronised formations, while the Olympic rings provided a symbolic backdrop.
    The Panathenaic Stadium, originally built in the 4th century BC and reconstructed in marble in the 19th century, hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and remains one of Athens’ most iconic landmarks.
    Organisers said the choice of venue underscores the festival’s theme of “Xenios Zeus” - the ancient Greek concept of hospitality - bringing together artists from different countries in a setting closely associated with international unity through sport and culture.
    “A festival that promotes love, respect, dance, ethics, dignity and most of all human contact”, said the organiser, Dimitris Petropoulos.
    (Production: Stamos Prousalis, Stelios Misinas, Iro Pappa)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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