29th Kalamata International Dance Festival

Under the title (Re)Turn to the Body, the 29th Kalamata International Dance Festival will host choreographers, dancers, and teachers from 10 countries across four continents, in open spaces and cultural venues, from Friday 14 to Sunday 23 July 2023.
This year's festival aims to explore the wholeness and physicality of the body. We all inhabit our bodies, yet despite our knowledge, we still have much to discover. Our bodies are the vessels through which we experience life and all its wonders.

The program includes dance performances that blend various genres, incorporating elements of theater, live music, and digital media to tell captivating stories. The international artists participating in the festival will present their works and also teach professional workshops. They come from 10 countries, including China, Canada, France, Portugal, Belgium, Slovakia, Germany, Italy, Croatia, and Mozambique. In addition to the dance performances, the Festival will feature an impressive lighting installation called Shooting Stars, created in collaboration with the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics, as part of its regular visual arts program.

The educational program of the festival is divided into three categories: training for Kalamata's dance students, professional training, and workshops for the general public of all ages, including those with disabilities. The workshops for the public cover a range of topics, including workshops for children and adolescents, parents and children, individuals over 50 years old, and a movement workshop specifically designed for disabled individuals.

The artistic program of the Festival will take place from July 14 to 23 and will feature performances on the Central Stage and the Black Box of the Kalamata Dance Hall, as well as performances in the Central Square of Kalamata and three cities in the Peloponnese region: Sparta, Tripoli, and Nafplio.

On July 21, the highly anticipated Art within One will return, culminating in a vibrant dance battle with one-minute performances in the Central Square of Kalamata. This year, there are two exciting additions to the festival: Danceathon, a contemporary dance marathon, and the visual lighting installation Shooting Stars by Antonello Ghezzi.

Some of the performances that stand out: