Fabre resigns from festival, reports say

Belgian artist Jan Fabre was reported on Saturday to have resigned from his position as artistic director of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival.

Reports in Belgian and Greek media said Fabre cited a “hostile artistic environment” for his decision, following his announcement during a press conference earlier this week that this year’s event would focus on Belgian works.

While he subsequently met with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who urged him and Culture Minister Aristides Baltas to include more local productions in the event, Fabre was deemed “persona non grata” by dozens of local artists who met last Friday. 

Fabre was appointed by the government following the dismissal of Giorgos Loukos.