Japan Week

With its meticulous and delicate artistry, traditional Japanese dancing poses an intriguing counterfoil to the more unbridled Greek style. It’s also lots of fun to watch. Fans of Japan can get a free fix of classic Japanese culture, in all its snappable pageantry, when Athens celebrates Japan Week with a colourful line-up of music, dance, theatre, martial arts and tea ceremonies. The spectacle marks 120 years of diplomatic links between Greece and Japan and is co-organized by the City of Athens, the Embassy of Japan in Athens, the Greek Japanese Friendship Association and the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies (HATTA). Japan Week kicks off with performances in Syntagma Square on Saturday, 23 November, before migrating to the Athens Concert Hall for a five day feast of Japanese sights and sounds (the programme is only available in Greek but there are performances going on all day in various spaces, so if you pop by, you’re bound to catch something good). Participation is free but do reserve your slot for the daily Tea Ceremony and Martial Art Performances by phone on +30 210 728 2333 or through the Athens Concert Hall website.