The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) is one of the largest and newest developments that Athens has seen since it hosted the Olympic Games. It is a remarkable architectural feat pioneered by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and brought to life by the extraordinary vision of Italian architect Renzo Piano. It now houses two of Greece’s most important public institutions; the Greek National Opera and the National Library of Greece and welcomes over 6 million visitors each year.
The SNFCC offers an array of outdoor activities for the public to enjoy the vast open spaces and also run tours throughout the week (in English and in Greek) of the Stavros Niarchos Park and inside the cultural centre which architectural enthusiasts will love. The SNFCC invites visitors to embrace the festive season with a plethora of events scheduled this month.
ICE SKATING ON THE CANAL
Ice Skating at the Stavros Niarchos Center is free for the public. Photograph: Pelagia Karanikola/SNFCC
Part of the long canal of the SNFCC has been transformed into an ice-skating rink and is open to the public every day from 30 November until 2 February 2020 (weather permitting), between 10:00am and 10:00pm and is free of charge. Each ice-skating session will last 40 minutes and visitors need to register in advance.
Pre-register here for Ice Skating.
Practical Information
- maximum stay: 40 minutes.
- Pre-registration will be available every Thursday from 10.00am for the following week
- In order for your pre-registration to be valid, you must arrive at the skating rink at least 20 minutes before your booking, otherwise, your spot will be re-allocated
- Ice skates will be available for use or you can also bring your own.
- The operation of the ice rink may be suspended or modified if the weather conditions are not suitable for skating. If in doubt please call the SNFCC from 9am daily for updates on +30 216 809 1000.
DANCING FOUNTAINS & CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
The Canal at the Stavros Niarchos Center will showcase its 59 new vertical water jets and 10 swivelling fountains in a powerful light, sound, and water display in sync with your favourite Christmas tune. The show will be performed hourly.
Thousands of Christmas lights twinkle on trees along the Canal as well as lavishly decorated tall Christmas trees at the Agora as part of this year’s Christmas light installations throughout the Stavros Niarchos Center. The Christmas lights go live from 30 November through to January 2020.
PERFORMANCES AT THE GREEK NATIONAL OPERA THIS MONTH
My Fair Lady is presented this month at the Greek National Opera
My Fair Lady
On now – 31 December 2019
My Fair Lady, one of the most successful and popular musicals in the history of Broadway, is presented for the first time in Greece in its full-length music version by the Greek National Opera’s (GNO) Alternative Stage. Read more about it here.
Don Carlo by Giuseppe Verdi
8, 13, 15, 19, 21, 28 December 2019 & 2, 5 January 2020
Based on Friedrich Schiller’s play of the same title, Don Carlo, shall be presented in its Italian five-act version (Modena, 1886), directed by the great British director and former artistic director of London’s Royal National Theatre, Sir Nicholas Hytner, with sets and costumes by Bob Crowley. Read more about it here.
Swan Lake
22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31 December 2019
Swan Lake returns to the Stavros Niarchos Hall with a modern choreography from the Greek National Opera’s (GNO) artistic director, Konstantinos Rigos after 10 sold-out performances during its previous season. Read more about it here.
Max Cooper “Yearning for the Infinite’
9 December 2019
Innovative techno producer Max Cooper comes to Athens for a dazzling audiovisual show inside the opera wing of the Stavros Niarchos Center. Cooper will present his LP ‘Yearning for the Infinite’ in an audio and visual rendering to explore the notion of obsession with the unobtainable. Read more about it here.
FREE TOURS OF THE STAVROS NIARCHOS PARK
Enjoy a guided tour through the Stavros Niarchos Park. Photograph: SNFCC – Yiorgis Yerolymbos
A modern Mediterranean landscape that has been designed in accordance with the principles of sustainability. This ecosystem acknowledges its surroundings, a place that is in constant evolution. The tour involves continuous walking around the Stavros Niarchos Park and the use of stairs. Estimated walking distance is calculated at 1 km.
Tours: Thursday’s at 4:00pm in English, otherwise daily at 4:00pm in Greek.
Meeting point: Visitors Center (Evripidou & Doiranis, Kallithea)
Tour duration: 90 minutes
Number of participants per tour: 20
Pre-registration is required except for children under 8 years old – Register Online Here
*The tours at the Stavros Niarchos Park will be conducted subject to good weather conditions.
*Visitors are advised to wear walking shoes and bring with them mosquito repellent.
FREE TOURS INSIDE THE STAVROS NIARCHOS FOUNDATION CULTURAL CENTER
Take a guided tour through the SNFCC’S theatres and library. Photograph: Why Athens
Visitors are guided through the state-of-the-art building complex the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera as well as the interior and exterior public space surrounding the buildings.
Tours times: Daily at 10:00am in English & 12:00pm, 4:30pm & 6:00pm in Greek
Meeting Point: SNFCC Agora (map below)
Tour duration: 90 minutes
Pre-registration is required except for children under 8 years old – Register Here for available dates
BIKE HIRE AROUND THE SNFCC
Rent and ride bikes around the enormous park and canal. Photograph: courtesy SNFCC
Daily 9:00am – 9:00pm
Adult and children’s bikes are available for short-term hire from three stations within the SNFCC including;
- At the Visitor’s Center (where Children’s Bikes are also available)
- At the Canal (Agora)
- At the Rear Agora
Pre-registration or purchasing a bike card is required. Further info is available here.
EXHIBITIONS AT THE STAVROS NIARCHOS CENTER
YIANNIS PSYCHOPEDIS EXHIBITION
Open daily until 12 January 2020 (9:00 to 22:00)
In the 4th floor atrium of the National Library of Greece located within the Stavros Niarchos Center, a major retrospective exhibition dedicated to Yiannis Psychopedis is open to the public, featuring large works that reference and are inspired by poets and poetry.
Artistic portrait of Constantine Cavafy by Yiannis Psychopedis.
Winners Cup for the Marathon from the first modern Olympics in 1896
The first prize from 1896 Olympic Games for the marathon presented to Spyridon Louis of Greece. Photograph: Christie’s
Stop by the foyer of the SNFCC where you will find the Silver Cup that was awarded at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 to the Marathon champion of the time, the Greek runner Spyridon Louis.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre Visitor Map
