Entertainment company Dreamland Experience will present an interactive production of Homer's Odyssey at Village Shopping and More in Agios Ioannis Rentis starting October 1.
The temporary thematic exhibition will run through January 10, 2027, creating an experiential educational space designed for school groups, families, and visitors of all ages.
Visitors to the specially adapted venue will walk through the legendary hero's voyage, encountering gods, mythical creatures, and ancient figures from the Greek literary tradition. The production focuses on core Homeric themes, highlighting perseverance, cooperation, problem-solving intelligence, and steadfast commitment to a goal.
Mythological journey and modern technology
The experience follows the full arc of the epic journey as Odysseus returns home to his wife Penelope while she is besieged by suitors. The narrative traces the path from the ruins of Troy to Ismarida in Thrace, home of the Cicones, before moving through the Island of the Cyclopes, the Island of Aeolus, and the Land of the Laestrygonians.
Subsequent stages guide attendees through the Island of Circe and the descent into Hades, where Odysseus meets his mother alongside the fallen heroes Achilles and Ajax. The voyage continues past the Sirens, through the narrow passage between Scylla and Charybdis, and across the Island of the Sun God Helios and the Island of Calypso, before reaching the Island of the Phaeacians on the final leg toward Ithaca.
Rather than presenting a traditional passive theatrical performance, organisers designed the walk-through environment to incorporate holograms, digital projections, and custom audio-visual installations. Interactive riddles and dramatic elements are embedded along the path to engage visitors throughout the walkthrough.
The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic poem traditionally attributed to Homer and composed around the eighth century BC. Consisting of 24 books, it tells the story of the king of Ithaca during his ten-year struggle to return home following the Trojan War, forming one of the foundational texts of Western literature.
Digital projections and creative team
A cast of established Greek actors appears throughout the installation via digital projections. Meletis Elias portrays Odysseus, with Vasiliki Troufakou appearing as Penelope, Argyris Xafis as the sea god Poseidon, Evelyn Aswad as Circe, and Stavros Karagiannis as the blind prophet Tiresias.
Musician and composer Dionysis Tsaknis created the original musical score accompanying the walkthrough, blending traditional thematic elements with contemporary stage composition. Elena Stavrou directed the production, while Alexandra Siafkou and Aristotelis Karananos designed the physical scenery and staging installation.
Tsaknis is a veteran Greek singer-songwriter and composer with an extensive discography in theatrical music, while Elias, Troufakou, and Xafis are widely recognized figures across Greek television, film, and classical stage productions.
Organisers said the production aims to demonstrate that classic works of literature can be revitalized through contemporary storytelling techniques, turning literary study into an active physical experience for modern audiences.
Background and production philosophy
Dreamland Experience has operated since 2024, focusing on the design, construction, and management of family-oriented educational theme parks and edutainment projects. The company previously presented the Chocolate and Ice Cream Experience at the former Ellinikon airport site for eighteen months, as well as the Eco Zoo installation at the Rentis commercial complex during the preceding school year.
Company representatives stated that choosing Village Shopping and More in Rentis forms part of their strategy to host educational outings in accessible, secure commercial venues with high daily attendance. Agios Ioannis Rentis is a suburban municipality situated southwest of central Athens in the Attica region, with the Village Shopping and More center serving as a major retail and cinema hub on Thivon Street.
The former airport at Ellinikon, where Dreamland Experience staged its previous chocolate exhibition, is currently undergoing one of Europe's largest urban redevelopment projects, transforming the coastal property into a residential, commercial, and parkland district.
Visitor information and ticket prices
The exhibition walkthrough takes approximately 50 to 60 minutes to complete, with new guided groups departing every 15 minutes. English-language guided tours are available for visitors by prior arrangement with venue staff.
General admission prices are set at 12 euros for adults and 10 euros for children. Discounted 10-euro tickets are available for university students and unemployed visitors, while school and group admission is priced at 8 euros per person. Tickets for visitors with disabilities and their companions are 5 euros.
Advance tickets are available online through the Greek ticketing platform more.com. The venue is located at the intersection of Thivon 228 and Parnassou Street in Agios Ioannis Rentis, with park administration reached by telephone at 210 4928513.
