At the National Gallery in Athens, in front of many journalists from major newspapers, channels and news websites, the program of the 32nd Kalamata International Dance Festival was presented yesterday by artistic director Jenny Argyriou, flanked by the mayor of Kalamata Thanasis Vassilopoulos, the regional governor Dimitris Ptochos and the president of “Faris”, Sotiris Kritsotakis. It will run from July 17-24.

The Festival opens with the famous French choreographer  Yoann  Bourgeois  with  He  Who  Falls  , while the main protagonists are  Marlene  Monteiro  Freitas ,  one of the boldest voices in contemporary dance in an explosive solo ,  the magician and visual artist  Kalle  Nio with choreographer Fernando  Melo ,  Jefta  van Dinther  with a work inspired by the language of the deaf, and the rising French choreographer  Le ï la Ka,  who has choreographed Beyoncé and the César Awards Ceremony, among others .

The Festival closes this year with the  Greek National Opera Ballet  presenting the new work by George Koumendakis “ So Many Times So Close” ,  four chamber music works based on four poems by Constantine P. Cavafy, which are set to music in the idiom of amane and performed live, choreographed by  Patricia Apergi, Elias Hatzigeorgiou  and  Eva Georgitsopoulou.

The 12 international artists hosted at the Festival this year – 5 of whom are coming to Greece for the first time – come from Finland, Brazil, France, Germany, Sweden, Cape Verde-Portugal, Slovenia, the Netherlands-Venezuela and Spain, while great emphasis is placed this year on Greek creators, also hosting 12 choreographers.

It’s also worth noting that the archeological site of Ancient Messene will be used as a venue for the first time as part of the section “ Dancing with the Community”.

We’ll publish details of the programme nearer the time.