The Athens Epidaurus Festival, within the context of the 16th International Exhibition Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space (PQ) set to take place from 8 to 17 June 2027, launches an open call for submissions of full proposals for the design and implementation of the Greek Entry at the national professional entity of the Exhibition of Countries and Regions – ECR).

The open call takes place in cooperation with the curatorial team of the Greek entry of PQ2023 and new curators and collaborators.

Prague Quadrennial (PQ) was funded in 1967 and in 2027 celebrates 60 years of continuous presence as one of the most important international institutions for performative arts, scenography — in its various forms — and the performative space. Its 16th edition has gathered, for the first time, over a hundred participations of countries and regions, confirming its constantly expansive international dynamic presence.

Up until now, Greece has been represented at the PQ seven times (1991, 1995, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023) from important artists, getting distinctions.

PQ 2027 Theme

PQ proposes the following central theme for its 2027 edition:

‘Absences and Silences: as spaces of potential for new scenographic futures’

attempting to highlight what remains invisible, far from the stage and dominant narratives.

The 2027 edition focuses on practices utilizing absence and silence as tools of rhythm, space, and meaning, opening prospects for new scenographic methodologies and imaginary futures.

As the official 2027 artistic approach mentions: ‘we understand scenography in an expanded sense, as an artistic discipline and collaborative practice that creates performative environments and atmospheres both on and off stage. This encompasses a range of interrelated practices, including costume, lighting, projection, sound, object, and spatial design, all of which contribute to how performance is experienced. Scenography is an indispensable part of performance: it is deployed in time, space, and in regard to the audience’s presence.’

More on PQ’s artistic approach here: https://pq.cz/pq2027/artistic-concept/

More on PQ’s history here:

Greek Team PQ 2027

The Greek Team is expected to present an interpretative and critical approach to PQ 2027’s theme, that can function as an open space of detecting ‘earthquake epicentres’.

An epicentre can be any centre capable of producing ‘earthquake activity’, a village, a small town, a port, a capital (rarely). The pursuit is the detection of epicentres where no one expects it.

The Greek Team looks for a proposal exploring:

  • form in space, through material or non-material elements, three-dimensional constructions, performances and/or experiences activating spatially and chorically the space itself
  • collectivity/community as a context/condition of production (beyond individual practices or specific works)
  • the notion of epicentre through conditions of constant moving, presence — which can be declared/uttered (also) through absence or silence
  • transgenerationality as transmission of experience, knowledge, and shape
  • social and ecological artistic concerns
  • the periphery, a chorus that doesn’t look at the centre-point but is itself a space of production of forms, rhythms, and knowledge that often escape dominant visibility
  • interaction and/or participation as a fundamental element of activation of the exhibition stand
  • the performative aspect in general in the practice of exhibition design

The above are to be seen as starting points and not as limitations. Well-structured proposals that deviate creatively are welcome.

We look for a proposal which will transform the aformentioned challenges into an inclusive, collective spatial experience within a strong Greek entry.

The open call is about the selection of a full proposal for the design and implementation of the Greek Entry at the national professional entity of the Exhibition of Countries and Regions – ECR), including original or already applied ideas, original or materialised works (scenographic, visual, performative etc.). We encourage those interested to create hybrid forms of presence, which will take into consideration the general look of the booth given to the Greek team in PQ’s exhibition park (Industrial Palace, Výstaviště, Prague) for ten days.

Who it concerns

The open call is addressed to scenographers, costume designers, but also to artists, visual artists and creators, curators, architects, and designers that have an expanded scenographic approach, encouraging groups or collectives, and, in general, interdisciplinary, inter-scientific practices taking place in Greece or abroad.

Proposal submission

  • Those interested can submit their proposal through the official form of expression of interest, which must include:
    • The proposal’s basic elements
    • A concept of the work and its relation to the theme (up to 1000 words)
    • A proposal of live performances, participation, and audience experience (up to 200 words)
    • A visual documentation and other material (up to 10 pages)
    • Brief bios of the contributors (up to 150 words each)
    • The proposal’s basic technical requirements

    The proposals need to take the following into consideration:

    • the space given by PQ is 5x5x5m (special requirements of certification can be issued for works taller than 3m)
    • the technical specifications, as explained in the Organizational Manual https://files.eventival.com/201/documents/2936.pdf
    • transportation and stay in Prague
    • possible re-exhibition of the work in Greece and abroad
    • sustainability issues (material, reuse, the proposal’s footprint)

Timeline

  • Submissions open: Monday 27 April 2026
  • Deadline of submissions: 21 May 2026, 18:00
  • Notification of acceptance: 8 June 2026
  • Deadline of submission of the final proposal with technical designs: 5 September 2026

For questions or inquiries regarding the open call, please contact: pq2027@aefestival.gr

A Q&A of frequent questions will be uploaded on the Athens Epidaurus Festival website.

Curatorial team

Adonis Volanakis, Assi Dimitrolopoulou, Konstandinos Zamanis, Isavella Dimitra Karouti, Maria Konomi, Eva Nathena, Sofia Pantouvaki, Yorgos Sapountzis, Andreas Skourtis

Additional information