Under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), the City of Athens, the Embassy of India in Athens, and the International Dance Council (CID)
12th “Bollywood & Multicultural Dance Festival”
Athens, 25 – 28 June 2026
Athens Danced to the Rhythm of the World
The 12th Bollywood & Multicultural Dance Festival Concludes with Outstanding Success
The 12th Bollywood & Multicultural Dance Festival concluded with outstanding success, bringing together more than 300 artists from 21 countries before a full-house audience, in the presence of Ambassadors, diplomatic representatives and distinguished officials, once again confirming its status as one of Greece’s leading international cultural events.
For two unforgettable evenings, Athens celebrated cultural diversity through Bollywood, classical and contemporary Indian dance, Bhangra, Garba, Tribal Fusion, Oriental dance, Tanoura, Flamenco, Qawwali and authentic Greek traditional dance, demonstrating the power of the performing arts to unite people across cultures.
A special honour for this year’s Festival was the presence of H.E. Mr. Shri Ravi Shankar, Ambassador of India to Greece, H.E. Mr. Laudemar Gonçalves de Aguiar Neto, Ambassador of Brazil, Mrs. Marianna Mehesi–Gal, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Hungary, and Mr. Wojciech Ponikiewski, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Poland, as well as representatives of the Embassy of the Philippines: Mr. Christopher Castillo, Vice Consul, and Ms. Fe Dumaguit-Molina, Cultural Officer. The Festival was also honoured by the presence of Dr. Alkis Raftis, President of the International Dance Council (CID c/o UNESCO), the Cultural Attachés of the Embassies of Portugal and Georgia, and Mr. Georgios Olympios, Knight of the Vatican, whose presence further underscored the Festival’s international prestige and its important role as a bridge of culture, cooperation and friendship among nations.
International dance companies and acclaimed guest artists from Europe, Asia, America and the Middle East shared the stage with outstanding Greek performers, including the 1st Bollywood Dance Academy Greece, Oriental Expression, and the Ancient Ellis Cultural Association, creating an inspiring celebration of artistic excellence and cultural exchange.
The Festival was prolonged by distinguished journalist Nikolas Vafeiadis, while its artistic direction and organisation were led by Anna Dimitratou and Sumon Rudra, with the valuable contribution of Alexandra Vafiadou and Dr. Dimitrios Vasileiadis, President of the Hellenic-Indian Society of Culture & Development.
The organisers extend their sincere gratitude to all artists, volunteers, collaborators, Sponsors, Media Sponsors, Supporters, the organisations that placed the Festival under their Auspices, and especially the Embassy of India in Greece for its longstanding support.
“When Dance Becomes the Language of Peace, People Come Closer.”
MEDIA SPONSORS
