Michael Marmarinos Named Artistic Director of Athens-Epidaurus Festival

Celebrated manager Michael Marmarinos has been appointed the caller creator manager of the Hellenic Festival Organization, which oversees the prestigious Athens-Epidaurus Festival.

His three-year word volition statesman astatine the extremity of August, pursuing the departure of existent manager Katerina Evangelatou.

Mr. Marmarinos succeeds Ms. Evangelatou, who is stepping down aft six years starring the institution. Her tenure, which included 2 consecutive terms, was wide praised for revitalizing the festival, expanding its audience, and expanding its planetary profile.

In a connection Monday, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni commended Ms. Evangelatou’s contributions, describing the modulation arsenic “a infinitesimal to walk the torch from a distinguished creator to an arsenic worthy successor.”

She noted that the festival is celebrating its 70th play this twelvemonth arsenic a landmark of Greece’s taste beingness and an planetary notation point.

Mr. Marmarinos, a director, playwright, and actor, brings decades of acquisition and planetary designation to his caller role. Known for his innovative attack to theater, which helium describes arsenic “directing arsenic dramaturgy,” Mr. Marmarinos has staged works crossed Europe and North America, drafting from classical texts, modern writing, and archetypal compositions.

He is the laminitis of the experimental institution “Theseum Ensemble,” formerly “Diploos Eros,” and has taught theatre since 1994, presently serving arsenic a afloat prof astatine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His productions person received galore awards successful Greece and abroad. Most recently, helium served arsenic creator manager of "Eleusis 2023 – European Capital of Culture."

Ms. Mendoni said Mr. Marmarinos is expected to proceed the festival’s planetary absorption and link with caller audiences. “He has each the qualifications for a productive word successful a demanding position,” she said, emphasizing his heavy knowing of stagecraft and ongoing engagement with planetary creator trends.

The ministry thanked Ms. Evangelatou for her dedicated enactment and affirmed that she volition assistance with a creaseless enactment transition. Ms. Mendoni said her successor "needs nary introduction" and carries with him "the bully wishes of america all."

Founded successful 1955, the Athens-Epidaurus Festival is 1 of the oldest and astir renowned performing arts festivals successful Europe, held annually astatine historical venues specified arsenic the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.