OPEN CALL
7th Contemporary Dance Festival
“Compartments Dance Project”
Railway Carriage Theater to Treno sto Rouf
17–31 May 2026
For the seventh consecutive year, the Railway Carriage Theater to Treno sto Rouf opens its doors and invites emerging dancers, choreographers, and contemporary dance companies to participate in the 7th Contemporary Dance Festival “Compartments Dance Project”, which will take place for the first time in spring, from 17 to 31 May 2026.
Since its launch in 2016 as a distinct section of the Young Artists Festival “Ta 12 Compartments”, “Compartments Dance Project” has established itself as a meeting point for contemporary dance and a platform for experimentation by new creators. For fifteen days, the historic train carriages and every unexpected corner of the Train are transformed into stage and source of inspiration for short dance performances. Conceived by Tatiana Ligari, Artistic Director of To Treno sto Rouf, the festival challenges, in practice, large-scale venues and conventional viewing conditions.
This year, “Compartments Dance Project” turns its focus to the qualities that shape human existence: love, desire, imagination, critical thinking, empathy, friendship, communication. How can these be safeguarded and strengthened within a landscape of rapid technological expansion? Where does resistance lie, and how can it be activated? Artists are invited to explore, through their choreographic language, ways of cultivating and empowering those essential elements that define us and allow us to remain human.
All performances, with a duration of 15 to 20 minutes, will be hosted inside the train carriages and on the outdoor Apovathra stage, daily from 18:30 to 23:30, in a rolling programme, forming a fifteen-day period of intensive artistic activity, dialogue, and exchange of ideas.
Originality and connection to the theme
Creative use of space
Stage presence and interpretative strength
Artistic coherence
Dialogue with other art forms
First presentation at the Festival
Interested artists are invited to submit their proposals to theater@totrenostorouf.gr, with the subject line: “7th Contemporary Dance Festival”, including:
Project description
Project duration (10–20 minutes)
Audiovisual material of previous work via drive link (no password)
Biographies of contributors with photos
Contact details
The Festival provides technical equipment, remuneration, and insurance coverage.
Submission deadline: 18 March 2026
Announcement of results: 30 March 2026
First meeting of selected groups: 03 April 2026
Tel. +30 210 9237076
theater@totrenostorouf.gr
