Post-summer blues? We hear you. But don’t despair—Athens’ September calendar is bursting with concerts, exhibitions, and festivals that kick off the season with energy and color. Among the highlights is the second edition of Queer Con, a vibrant three-day festival (September 12–14) hosted at the Hellenic American Union.

For one weekend, the Union’s downtown building is handed over to grassroots organizations and artists, creating a platform for queer art, aesthetics, pop culture, and visibility. And the best part? Admission is free.

Running for the second year, Queer Con offers something for everyone: photography exhibitions, an Artists Alley with illustrators and creators, film screenings (documentary, fiction, and animation), workshops, presentations, book stalls, stand-up comedy, and—back by popular demand—drag cabaret and shows.

The festival is organized by Comicdom Press (the team behind the international Comicdom CON Athens) in collaboration with the Hellenic American Union.

Exhibitions

Main Exhibition: Synopsis by George Striftaris

This year’s honored artist is George Striftaris, an acclaimed photographer, actor, and casting director, whose imagery also graces the festival’s official poster. Known for his work in influential queer magazines like Fagazine and Screw—the first of their kind to feature original photo shoots—Striftaris has also published the photo book Phosphorus and the fanzine Plastic, pioneering works in Greece that boldly foreground the male nude.

At Queer Con 2, his solo exhibition Synopsis takes center stage, presenting photography and video art that is sensual, erotic, candid, and political—works that are both timeless and deeply resonant.

Group Show: Queer X

Curated by journalist and festival artistic advisor Theodoros Antonopoulos, Queer X brings together photographers and visual artists across genders and sexualities, each presenting their own lens on queer life. Participating artists include Maria Katsikadakou (Cyber), Giorgos Kylpasis, Helias Doulis, Alex Zaf, Spyros Rennt, Konstantinos Kotorenis, Mary Sakellariou, and Tzoanna Valeri.

Artists Alley
Explore the work of 32 artists spanning comics, illustration, and visual arts—an opportunity to meet creators, discover new voices, and revisit beloved works.

Live Events

The two smash-hit, sold-out events from last year return:

Stand-Up Comedy

Hosted by Snap – Athens Queer Comedy Club, Athens’ first and only queer comedy stage, this year’s lineup includes Katerina Vrana, Tasos Antoniou, Dimitra Thoma, Lucumaki, and Dr. Bourboul, with Christina Voulgari as MC.

Drag Cabaret: “Γλύκανε Μωρή Λίγο!”
A riotous tribute to cult villains from Greek and global pop culture. Expect sass, satire, and spectacular performances by Andromeda Balls, Atossa, Bloody Mwrý, Cyka de la Blyat, Epitaphio, and Jerry Pouxerei, hosted by the unforgettable Lala Kolopi.

Both events are free, but seats are limited—be sure to reserve online. And don’t forget to tip your performers—contribution boxes will be available to support the artists.

Other highlights include performances by the Rainbow Dancers, a Shibari art demonstration by Athens Shibari, readings of lesbian poetry, talks on non-binary and trans histories, book presentations, and a two-hour drag workshop with Lala Kolopi and Sozie for those curious to take their first steps into drag.

Still frame from Alkis Papastathopoulos’s “Honeymoon” (winner of Best LGBTQ+ Short at Palm Springs).

Screenings

Opening Night – Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures

The festival kicks off on Friday, September 12 at 19:15 with a screening of the acclaimed HBO documentary about Robert Mapplethorpe—the controversial photographer whose provocative images changed modern photography forever. Screened in collaboration with MoovieReel.

The Great Freedom (Große Freiheit)

Sebastian Meise’s award-winning film traces the criminalization of homosexuality in postwar Germany across three decades, told through the lives of imprisoned men. Presented with support from the Goethe Institute and MoovieReel.

©freibeuterfilm_rohfilm_7

Queer Animation Shorts

In collaboration with the Thessaloniki Animation Festival (TAF), this program brings together queer-themed animations from around the world—proof of the boundless creativity of LGBTQIA filmmakers.

Greek Short Films

Highlights include Alkis Papastathopoulos’s Honeymoon (winner of Best LGBTQ+ Short at Palm Springs) and Panos Boras’s Miss Dress, a moving work about resilience, identity, and the healing power of performance.

Still frame from Panos Boras’s Miss Dress.

A Special Release: Queer Arts Gr

Last year’s central exhibition tracing the history of queer artistic expression in Greece is now available in print. The publication Queer Arts Gr, curated by Theodoros Antonopoulos, gathers milestones in poetry, literature, theater, dance, cinema, music, television, drag, and comics that shaped the country’s queer cultural history. Its official launch will take place at this year’s festival.

Info

 Friday, September 12 – Sunday, September 14, 2025
Hellenic American Union, 22 Massalias St., Athens
Admission Free