The theatre
The “Little Epidaurus of Pelion”
Identity
Once upon a time…
on a hillside of Mount Pelion, there was an abandoned threshing floor…However, its ‘utopian location and exceptional acoustics would reserve it a different kind of destiny…
After serving for over 200 years as a threshing floor, the site was abandoned till 1995 when the Greek artist and painter, Giorgos Triantafyllou, along with a group of art aficionados and dozens of volunteers, took the initiative to transform it into a proper small outdoor theatre. Originally operating as a municipal theatre, Aloni Theatre has reached the point nowadays – after 21 years of operation – of being considered a contemporary monument and recognized as the “Little Epidaurus Theatre of Pelion”.
Run by the non-profitable organization FRIENDS OF ALONI THEATRE, Aloni Theatre realizes every summer a program of theatrical and music events, of both entertaining and educational profile, that the audience can enjoy in this special threshing floor [aloni] perched on a hillside of the picturesque village of Aghios Georgios Nileias at Mount Pelion, Greece.
Thus, having hosted acclaimed artists as well thousands of spectators from Greece and abroad in its stone benches, Aloni Theatre has managed throughout its long course to expand the framework of art beyond the ordinary and make it more accessible to a wider audience. While the parameter that sets the Theatre apart is the fact that all its activities are being realized in the lush nature of Pelion, offering both artists and spectators a different experience in art.
1995
Founded
The threshing floor becomes a community theatre
2000
Municipal theatre
Run as the theatre of the Milies municipality
2012
Non-profit
“The Friends of Aloni Theatre” take over its management
2024
All of Greece, One Culture
“Io son Medea” is staged at the Osman Shah Mosque in Trikala, selected by the Ministry of Culture
2026
Chosen again
“The Lysistratas” premiere at the Ekklesiasterion of Ancient Messene, again in the Ministry of Culture programme
2026
31th Festival
Thousands of spectators from Greece and abroad
Vision
Aloni Theatre aspires to keep operating as a living cell of culture for a better world.
Mission
Aloni Theatre aims at continuously highlighting the value of art in nature, by offering high-quality cultural events of educational and recreational profile to an increasingly diverse audience.
Objectives
- Dissemination of art beyond the narrow boundaries of big cities
- Focus on the importance of nature on everyday life
- Emphasis on the history and culture of the local region
- Attraction of an audience with limited opportunities of exposure to art
- Participation of local communities in a voluntary project
- Training of students in art through a lifetime experience in nature
Highlights
Highlights
Throughout the years, Aloni Theatre has been hosting on its stage numerous events and performances which all share one common characteristic; high artistic value. To name a few:
- 1996 Concert: An evening of Renaissance and Greek phonetic music by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation choir, directed by St. Beris
- 1997 Concert: Cinema music by L. Koniordou & T. Farazis
- 1998 Theatre play: “Koinos Logos” by Elli Papadimitriou, staged by V. Theodoropoulos
- 2000 Concert: Celebrating 250 years from the death of Bach (harpsichord, flute, choir)
- 2005 Theatre play: “When Amazons Wake” by Theatre Lab Company in collaboration with the British company International Theatre Crossroads, directed by A. Revi
- 2009 Concert: EUROPAEA 6-8 “Music Full Moon” – Celebrating 200 years of Haydn/ Soloist: Ch. Kanetis, violin professor at Mozarteum University of Salzburg-Austria
- 2010 Concert: “Sounds under the Moonlight” by G. Lazaridis (piano) and Ch. Gribas (cello) performing works ofL.V. Beethoven – Alexander Glazunov – G.E.Lazaridis - S. Rachmaninoff
- 2015-2016 Seminar: Ancient Drama Seminar by Lydia Koniordou, the internationally acclaimed actress, director and professor of ancient drama, lecturing in the U.S., U.K., China Sweden etc. Attended by 30 drama students, the Seminar involved extensive research and practice in the nature of Pelion, followed by the staging of ancient drama work (preface by Walter Puchner)
- 2015-2016 Concert: “Piano at Aloni” featuring young Greek internationally awarded soloists performing works of Liszt, Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff an d others, under the guidance of A. Leimoni
- 2016 Concert: Petroloukas Chalkias – the internationally acclaimed clarinet virtuoso and improviser with a long career in Greece and the U.S., masterfully combining the folk tradition of Epirus with jazz, blues, Indian and ethnic music