In June 2022, Thessaloniki hosted the leading Ukrainian classical music festival Odessa Classics – one of the most important festivals in the field of classical music with a European orientation and global scope – on the initiative of the Minister of Culture Mrs Lina Mendoni and organized by the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki (KOTH), as the Russian invasion of Ukraine made it impossible to be realized in its homeland.

A year and a half later, and while the war in Ukraine is still raging, Odessa Classics returns to Thessaloniki with five concerts and the participation of great international artists. Three of the concerts will be realized in a co-production of the State Conservatory with the Thessaloniki Concert Hall - in fact, one in a co-production with the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra as well - while two of the Festival's concerts will be hosted by the Ceremony Hall of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The artistic director of the Festival is the internationally acclaimed Ukrainian pianist Alexey Botvinov, while the general supervisor of the events is the Director of the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki, Georgios-Ioulios Papadopoulos.

Alexey Botvinov

All proceeds from the concerts will go to support those affected by the war in Ukraine.