Dora Stratou Theater
Greece travel information, Greece directory

Dora Stratou Theater in Athens

Dora Stratou Greek folk dances theatre

In the idyllic surroundings of Philopappou Hill, opposite the Acropolis, in the Dora Stratou theatre, every night regional cultures come to life. 75 dancers, singers and folk musicians reenact folk songs, musical instruments and dances in authentic local costumes, offering a wonderful spectacle and illustrating the continuity of ancient traditions.

Dora Stratou Biography

Dora Stratou was born in 1903 in Athens. She grew up in the upper class urban environment of Athens at the beginning of the century. She went to Palace balls, studied foreign languages and singing, and befriended the offsprings of powerful families.

Her piano teacher was Dimitri Mitropoulos, later famous conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. She followed theatrical performances and concerts, a passion she maintained throughout her life.


Dora StratouDora Stratou, at the age of 50, created her own group performing Greek folk dances. The first costumes were made by painter Yannis Tsarouhis, who also painted embroidery designs on them by hand. She toured villages to collect dances, songs, costumes, and folk jewelry, thus amassing the biggest collection in Greece. She selected the best dancers and instrumentalists to staff the ensemble. They gave successful performances in 21 countries.


She authored three books “A Tradition, an Adventure”, “Greek Dances, a Living Link to the Antiquity”, and “Traditional Greek Dances”. She issued one of the largest series of folk music in the world: 50 records. In 1983 she retired due to ill health. She passed away in January 1988.

orthodox church in Santorini

This page about Dora Stratou Theatre in Athens is copyright of Hosting and SEO by