SNF Nostos 2026 is an open-to-all event, marking 30 years of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s (SNF) philanthropic activity. It will take place from June 21 to 28 at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), with parallel events hosted at the SNF’s three new hospitals currently under construction in Komotini, Thessaloniki and Sparta.
In collaboration with long-standing partners, including the nonprofit journalism organization iMEdD (incubator for Media Education and Development) and the SNF Nostos Youth Advisory Committee — a global group of young people — SNF Nostos 2026 is designed “with people at its center”. The programme features discussions, performances, art, music and a wide range of activities exploring different aspects of the human experience.
Focusing on Dialogue
The discussions at SNF Nostos 2026 are as wide-ranging as the Foundation’s philanthropic work, which spans arts and culture, education, health and sports, and social welfare.
The SNF Nostos Conference will take place from June 22 to 26. During the first four days, representatives of organizations supported by SNF will take the stage, following an open call that generated over 250 proposals. With more than 200 participants (to date) and over 130 hours of programming, these sessions will explore timely issues across four thematic pillars:
- House of Arts & Culture
- House of Civics & Education
- House of Health & Sports
- House of the Future
The discussions culminate on Friday, June 26, with SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos hosting, moderating and participating in conversations throughout the day.
A diverse group of leading figures from across disciplines will share their ideas and work, including (in alphabetical order): Emmy Award winner Noopur Agarwal, physicist Asimina Arvanitaki, NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIT AI lab director Rodney Brooks, actor Michael Chiklis, comedian John Cleese, actor Willem Dafoe, Pulitzer Center President Lisa Gibbs, bestselling author Karen Hao, human rights advocate Radwa Hosny, world-class pole vaulter Emmanouil “Manolo” Karalis, chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov, composer Giorgos Koumendakis, anti-trafficking activist Sunitha Krishnan, historian Mark Mazower, K-pop artist Eric Nam, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Nisha Pahuja, actress Maisie Richardson-Sellers, AI scientist Francesca Rossi, former U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes, writer Ersi Sotiropoulos, HRH Princess Ghida Talal of Jordan, civic tech activist Rose Njeri Tunguru, writer and actress Nia Vardalos, comedian Katerina Vrana, and many more.
The day will also feature an intergenerational “fishbowl” discussion titled Does ethics still matter for the modern individual?, part of the SNF Dialogues series, in collaboration with the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University. The discussion will be introduced by Anna-Kynthia Bousdoukou, Co-founder and Managing Director of iMEdD and Executive Director of SNF Dialogues.
Focusing on Music
This year, SNF Nostos once again joins forces with Release Athens to bring major international acts to Greece.
On Sunday, June 21, David Byrne will take the stage at the Great Lawn (Xefoto) at the SNFCC, with opening acts making their debut in Greece: synth-pop band Nation of Language and art-punk group Deadletter.
On Monday, June 22, Jean-Michel Jarre will present a spectacular audiovisual performance at the same venue, accompanied by French pop artist Sébastien Tellier.
On Thursday, June 25, Gorillaz — the groundbreaking project by Damon Albarn — will perform for the first time in Greece at Plateia Nerou, alongside legendary Flaming Lips and Jehnny Beth (former frontwoman of Savages).*
More music: On Friday, June 26, audiences are invited to take part in a participatory singing experience with Choir! Choir! Choir! and Good Job Nicky.
On Saturday, June 27, The Blessed Madonna, a leading figure of the underground house scene, will headline the SNF Nostos 2026 Up Late Party, joined by techno-funk innovators Octave One.
Focusing on Performances, Exhibitions and Experiences
SNF Nostos 2026 is not just an event — it is an experience. Visitors can explore a wide range of activities, including:
- Mapping SNF’s journey: an interactive experience featuring 5,700+ grants
- Yannis’ Café: a space for digital detox
- Intercultural music performance by El Sistema Greece
- Jazz, neuroscience and society: a discussion-performance on music as a shared human experience
- An Enemy of the People by Theater of War Productions
- SNF x POLY KOOL Geography Quiz – Special Edition
- The Trials of Atlas: an interactive performance
- Objects from the Future: Ethical Echoes in Medicine, an exhibition by ETH Zurich
- Signal, Interference, an outdoor exhibition by ARTWORKS
Performances by the Greek National Opera:
- A Streetcar Named Desire
- Future Cargo
- So Many Times, So Close
- ITHACA – A Long Journey Home, inspired by Cavafy’s Ithaca, by the inclusive theatre group THIASOS of the THIRD
Focusing on Sports
Physical and mental wellbeing are integral to SNF Nostos — not only in theory but also in practice.
- SNF Nostos Run, in collaboration with “Regeneration & Progress” (registrations are now open)
- Friendly football matches as part of the SNF Nostos Cup, inspired by the World Cup (more information coming soon)
More information at snfnostos.org and snf.org.
