The 20th Ayia Napa Medieval Festival welcomes one of the most distinctive musical groups on the contemporary Greek scene, the Polis Ensemble, on Friday, October 10, 2025. With its unparalleled virtuosity, sensitivity and deep musical identity, the group has managed to marry tradition with contemporary creation, creating a musical bridge between the past and the present, the East and the West.
Founded in 2011 in Athens, the Polis Ensemble draws inspiration from the timeless cultural dialogue of the Eastern Mediterranean. With traditional instruments such as the ney, the lyre, the kanunaki and the politiko lute, combined with contemporary orchestrations, the six virtuoso musicians weave a unique soundscape full of emotional intensity, lyricism and genuine Greek soul.
The band has performed in some of the most important music venues in Greece – including the Athens Concert Hall, the Thessaloniki Concert Hall and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center – and has collaborated with renowned artists, as well as the ERT Contemporary Music Orchestra. Its first album, with original compositions, was released in 2017, while the second, entitled “Greek Sound” (2021), is a hymn to our musical heritage and the timelessness of the Greek sound.
The Polis Ensemble consists of Stefanos Dorbarakis (canon – vocals), Theodoros Koulis (double bass – vocals), Alexandros Kapsokavadis (politiko lute – vocals), Manousos Klapakis (percussion), George Kontogiannis (lyra) and Nikos Paraoulakis (ney, kaval, flute). Together, they create a unique sound experience that fills the space with light and emotion. Their concert will take place at the Central Stage at 21:00 and is expected to be one of the highlights of this year's festival.
Before the big concert, from 19:00, Ayia Napa will be transformed into a medieval feast scene, with music, dance, bonfires and fairy-tale figures flooding the Central Square and the areas around the Medieval Monastery. Parallel performances will take place in three different locations, offering the audience a rich spectacle that combines tradition, art and imagination.
At the Entrance of the Square, the famous Gruppo Storico Sbandieratori Fivizzano will fill the sky with their colorful flags, performing skillful movements full of rhythm and grace. The Ballet Guerrers Group (Warriors Dancers) will revive the dynamism and passion of the war dances of the Middle Ages, combining theatricality and impressive choreography. The Sbandieratori Borgo San Lorenzo will add the Italian finesse and precision of traditional flag-bearer demonstrations, while the Bubble on Circus – Wonder Walks Group will fill the atmosphere with soap bubbles, colors and dreamlike figures that will enchant young and old.
In the Upper Square, at the northern entrance of the Monastery, the audience will meet the Storici Sbandieratori Delle Contrade Di Cori, whose synchronized movements and the rhythm of the music evoke images of medieval Italy. The Ballet Armas Group will offer an artistic performance full of grace and intensity, while the Venice Mask group La Bottega Dei Sogni will bring the atmosphere of Venice through their masks and impressive costumes. The spectacle will culminate with the impressive fire and dragon display by the Steam Show group, which promises to fill the sky with flames and mystery.
On the Main Stage, music will take us on a journey. The Ventus Eurus band will flood the venue with medieval melodies while Pavana, with their impressive stilts, will rise above the crowd, filling the stage with light and movement. Dworek Polsky will present dances from central Europe, full of vitality and colorful costumes, while Spiritual Seasons will bring the aura of northern Europe with rhythms from medieval festivals. The group I Nibecorti (The Little Vikings) will add their own character, combining music, action and dynamism, while the Voyage Fantastique Group will travel the audience on stilts and balloons, in a fantastic procession inspired by dreams and adventure.
The third day of the Ayia Napa Medieval Festival is expected to be an evening of high aesthetics and emotion. From the performances that will take place simultaneously on the three stages from 19:00-20:30 to the enchanting concert of the Polis Ensemble, Ayia Napa will experience a celebration of culture, light and music, where every sound and every movement will tell a story of centuries.
