KIDFAbout us

The Kalamata International Dance Festival constitutes the leading activity of the Kalamata International Dance Centre, which was founded in the spring of 1995 as part of an inspired initiative by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture aimed at developing regional cultural policy.
Today, the Festival is funded by the Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Kalamata, and the Region of Peloponnese, and is organised by the FARIS Public Benefit Enterprise of the Municipality of Kalamata.

Since its inception, the Festival has been closely linked to the flourishing of contemporary dance in Greece, with a mission to promote the art of dance through research, education, artistic practice, and production. It was quickly established as one of the most significant contemporary dance events both nationally and internationally, placing Kalamata firmly on the global map of the contemporary arts scene.

Over its 31 years of continuous presence, the Kalamata International Dance Festival has presented more than 330 performances by international companies—most of them making their first appearance in Greece—as well as 146 performances by Greek companies. It has offered audiences access to important and pioneering works, hosting creators who have played a defining role in shaping the history of contemporary dance.

The Festival’s principal objectives are to highlight the diverse artistic trends of contemporary international creation, to foster dialogue between dance and other art forms and scientific fields, and to provide meaningful support to the Greek dance scene, strengthening its development and international outreach. At the same time, it incorporates educational activities—dance seminars and workshops—that offer creative enrichment to professionals in the field, while also encouraging participation and active engagement with dance among various social groups within the city and the wider region.

An integral part of the Festival is its parallel programme, featuring a rich array of performances in public spaces, film screenings, visual art exhibitions, music evenings, open discussions, and lectures. These activities attract thousands of participants and continuously broaden its audience base.

In 2025, the Festival inaugurated a new series of commissions and artist residencies that actively engage the community and enter into a creative dialogue with the city’s urban and natural landscape. A central objective of this initiative is the year-round activation of the Kalamata International Dance Centre through activities that transform the Dance Megaron—unique in Greece—into a vibrant and active hub of artistic research, creation, and presentation. Within this framework, the Festival integrates artistic practices that cultivate bridges between modern creation and the local community, shaping an open and inclusive cultural field.

At the core of the Festival’s artistic direction lies an exploration of the human condition within contemporary socio-political realities, an emphasis on the collective dimension inherent in the art of dance, and a deep conviction that dance constitutes an ancient and vital means of expression for all: it connects people, fosters dialogue, and embodies experience.

As living organisations, the Kalamata International Dance Centre and the Kalamata International Dance Festival continue to evolve through collaborations with cultural bodies, institutions, and foundations in Greece and abroad, grounded in their belief in the power and new possibilities generated through collective action and the practice of cooperation.