AEF2026: Stavros Xarchakos: In the Present

This June marks a poignant milestone in Athenian venue history. Before the legendary Odeon of Herodes Atticus falls silent for a multi-year restoration, the Athens Epidaurus Festival presents the 'Farewell Festivities'. It is the last chance to catch a performance under the stars before the "ancient shell" is tucked away for its essential makeover.
The legacy of the two Romans, Emperor Hadrian and Herodes Atticus, redefined the architectural and cultural landscape of Athens. Upon ascending the throne in 117 AD, Hadrian became a visionary patron who inspired the young Herodes Atticus to dedicate his immense wealth to the city's public works. Together, they gifted Athens monumental landmarks that remain iconic today: Herodes oversaw the complete reconstruction of the Panathenaic Stadium in marble by 143 AD and later, in 161 AD, gifted the city this magnificent, then cedar-roofed Odeon on the southern slope of the Acropolis.  Their shared vision continues to pulse through the capital’s modern identity. These historic sites remain some of the most breathtaking places we still gather under the Athenian sky.

At 87, Stavros Xarchakos remains a towering figure of Greek music, and this two-night residency is a masterclass in continuity. Titled Sto Paron (In the Present), the evening unfolds like a play in three acts. It begins as an intimate conversation between Xarchakos and lyricist Lina Nikolakopoulou, accompanied only by a piano and string quartet, before expanding into grand orchestral sweeps.

The emotional peak of the night features the children of Syros’ En Chordais kai Organois school. Their involvement stems from a viral 2022 moment when the maestro spontaneously conducted them in a local taverna; this is the full-circle encore the city has been waiting for. For Xarchakos, the presence of these young musicians, now grown, symbolises a present that is also the future. It’s a rhythmic journey that proves great music doesn't age; it simply deepens.