Greek Travelling Theatre brings Athens to Sharjah at SIBF 2025

November 08, 2025 / 6:04 PM

Sharjah 24: For a moment, the bustling halls of the Sharjah Expo Centre – venue of the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) – felt like the steps of the Parthenon or a moonlit square in Athens, where song, poetry, and passion intertwine.

A cultural performance blending music, poetry, and theatre

The Greek Travelling Theatre Troupe, performing as part of Greece’s Guest of Honour programme at the 12-day event, brought Hellenic culture to life with a performance combining melody, verse, and theatre.

Acclaimed artists lead the performance

Led by musician and composer Nikolaos Platanos and soprano Kiliaki Vlachogianni, the duo performed Greek songs inspired by modern poetry. Platanos played an accordion, complementing Vlachogianni’s soaring vocals, creating a sound both timeless and immediate.

A first international performance and memorable moments

“This is our first performance abroad together,” said Vlachogianni. The act was further highlighted when Greece’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Iasonas (Jason) Fotilas, joined to sing the classic Ta Paidia tou Peiraia (The Children of Piraeus), creating an unforgettable moment.

Part of SIBF 2025’s cultural agenda

The performance is one of several cultural shows featured at this year’s SIBF, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) until November 16 under the theme “Between You and a Book.”