The 60th Dimitria Festival kicked off with a bang with a huge celebration throughout the center of Thessaloniki!

In collaboration with parallaxi and the project “Thessaloniki Otherwise,” the city’s historic markets were transformed on Saturday, September 27, into a large stage to host musicians, dancers, singers, acrobats in a moving performance at six historic locations—the city’s old markets, which in previous decades were bustling with trade and teeming with life!

A wonderful celebration to which everyone was invited to experience a little of what the 60th Dimitria Festival brings to the city throughout October!!!

11:30 a.m. Agia Sofia Metro Station
The Paranaue percussion band and the Dancaue dancers who accompanied them led the audience from Agia Sofia, Tsimiski, and Aristotelous streets in a musical parade in front of open and closed shops to the Kapani Market.

11:30 a.m. Elisia
The musicians of Kroustofono started from Elysium, crossed P. Mela, played in Agia Sofia Square, and arrived at Kapani via Ermou. Volunteers from Dimitria distributed informational material to the public.

12:00 p.m. Kapani
The musical parades ended at the entrance to the Kapani market with a musical gathering of the two orchestras.
At the entrance to the market, on Aristotelous Street, an aerial acrobatic performance was staged by Olga Deliaki’s acrobatic team. This was followed by a narration in the small square of the Market by tour guide Christina Mavini, who recounted the history of the Kapani, Vlali, and Modiano markets. A short string concert was given by the KOTH with musicians Dima Goudimov and Evangelia Hatzipetrou. The departure was from the site of Lambrakis’ assassination, where attendees listened to the relevant narrative and were guided through the now deserted markets of Saul Modiano and Karaso and their history. At the same time, Motiliani’s rolls were illustrated with murals created by well-known street artists from the city, who changed the appearance of the abandoned area. Street Artist Giannis Bouzoukis.

12:30 p.m. V. Heraklion
In the car-free section of North Heraklion between Venizelos and Ionos Dragoumis, choreographer Tatiana Papadopoulou and the dancers of the North presented a performance inspired by the history and present day of the market area. This was followed by a guided tour of the history of the area, the Stoa Saoul and Agios Minas. In the courtyard of the church of Agios Minas, a classical music ensemble accompanied by a klavino performed a concert inspired by the history of the site. under the direction of Stavros Giannoulis. The musicians were Ourania Antonopoulou (soprano), Stavros Giannoulis (tenor), Dimokritos Tsantalis (tenor), and Valeria Charitidou (piano).

13:00 Malakopi Arcade
The Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra welcomed the audience to Fragomachala with music at the Valoritou fountains. A contemporary dance group performed at the entrance to the listed building. Dancers: Athina Tsapoura, Dimitra Foukala, Melina Tsaousidou. In the arcade opposite (1 Ermou Street), there was a short jazz concert by Achilleas Mesaikos and Sotiris Moudouris. Guided tour of Fragomachala and the Malakopi arcade.

13:40 Bezesteni
At the rear of Bezesteni, a dance performance began, organized by the municipality’s Dance School and directed by Polly Voikou. A narration of the history of the area and the remarkable buildings of interwar Thessaloniki that have been preserved, as well as the Bezesteni market. Inside Bezesteni, tenors from the State Conservatory welcomed the audience on the balconies of the city’s last indoor market. The finale was a party with DJ Jiles on the decks!