A special performance by renowned Greek choreographer Dimitris Papaioannou will, according to media reports, conclude this year’s events at the iconic Herodes Atticus Odeon, which will then remain closed three years for maintenance and restoration works.

Reports have Papaioannou, the artistic director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, showcasing his life’s works, in cooperation with the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation.

Dimitris Papaioannou

The stepped-up maintenance and restoration of the Herodes Atticus, the Roman-era stone amphitheater at the southwest foot of the Acropolis in central Athens, have been deemed as necessary, given that several crucial spaces at the open-air theater have sustained damage from the wear-and-tear of tens of thousands of spectators attending performances every season, as well as weather-related fatigue.

The maintenance and restoration works will begin in October, although studies, many funded by the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), have been ongoing for several years and are the basis for the three-year project.

File photo: Zubin Mehta – Pinchas Zukerman – Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino – Megaron Gala, Monday, June 14, 2021. (EUROKINISI / Giannis Panagopoulos)