With the spirit of tradition and culture intense, the Municipality of Megalopolis prepares the 14th revival of the ancient sport and culture races in Lycaio, entitled “Lycaia 2025”. This year’s event is scheduled to take place from July 21st to 27th and is one of the most important cultural institutions in the area, combining sports, theater, music, and history in a rich event program.
The program begins with the play “Medea” on July 21, a choice that focuses on classical Greek works and their timelessness. The following are two separate musical nights on July 23 and 24, with the band “Conshenus” giving the second night. On July 26, the celebration culminates in a concert of the band “Lyravlos”, offering a rich cultural experience to visitors and locals. At the same time, there will be an honorary event for archaeologists Mary Vogiatzis and David Gillman Romano, recognizing their contribution to the emergence of the archaeological treasures of Megalopolis.
The tradition of the Lycaean struggles is lost in the depths of antiquity, and according to Pausanias, the feast was established by the mythical King of Arcadia, Lycaon, son of Pelasgos. Pindar mentions Lycaia as the second most important celebration of the Greeks, after Eleusinia, and as the oldest of the Panathenaic. The Games combined religious customs, such as a sacrifice on the altar of Lycaios Zeus, with sports activities on the Hippodrome and the ancient Lycaeus Mountains – Monuments of great historical value today in the Municipality of Megalopolis.
The modern revival of the games began in 1973 and takes place every four years. This year’s 14th event lasts seven days and includes not only sports events but also a multitude of cultural activities, seeking to promote and protect local culture.
The aim of the Municipality of Megalopolis is to promote the cultural goods of the region, to develop cultural tourism, and to strengthen the local community through quality events that link the past with the present. The Lycaia 2025 Festival is a celebration that revives an important page of Greek history, offering participants a unique experience of sport and culture in a space full of memories and values.
