The dynamic City of Athens International Dance Festival has become widely known by now. As it does every year, the City of Athens will host some of the most interesting and renowned dance companies from Europe, America and Greece, from 1 to 15 July at Technopolis. New creative trends and currents will all be presented to highlight the art of dance for Athens audiences.

This year, the City of Athens Cultural Association, under the artistic direction of Margot Perdiki, will present an impressive programme featuring major names such as Käfig, Rasta Thomas, Haris Mandafounis, Wim Vandekeybus and many more, while the festival's scope has been extended to include photography exhibitions, master classes, a performance by the OKTANA Dance Theatre and an outdoor cinema showing dance films.

Specifically:

• The 7th Festival will open with Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, a resident dance company based in Rotterdam and one of the major companies of the Netherlands. (1 & 2 July)

• Following last year's successful presentation of awards from the International Choreography Competition in Hanover, awards from the International Choreography Competition in Stuttgart will be presented this year in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut (4 July).

With the support of the Goethe Institute in Athens

• The Rasta Thomas company is a high-energy company from the USA which always presents incomparable spectacles combining flawless classical technique, dynamic contemporary dance and the uplifting qualities of a musical. (6 & 7 July)

With the support of the US Embassy in Athens

• As it does every year, the Athens International Dance Festival will also feature works by up and coming Greek choreographers. (9 July)

• The world renowned French hip-hop dance troupe, Compagnie Kafig, has more than 1,000 performances under its belt, and will present its new production, Tricote (Knit One, Purl One), to Athens audiences. (11 & 12 July)

With the support of the French Institute in Athens

• Well-known Wim Vandekeybus and his company Ultima Vez will round out the main programme of the 7th Athens International Dance Festival. The notable Belgian choreographer will present his work nieuwZwart on 14 and 15 July, once again using video/film. In addition to the performance of nieuwZwart, Vandekeybus will be teaching dance workshops as part of the festival.

• The Oktana Dance Theatre Company will also be taking part in the festival with their new production titled The Son. (1-5 July, 21:30, in the "Apothiki" auditorium)

The 7th Athens International Dance Festival hopes to leave the scent of dance lingering in the summer breeze of the Greek capital for yet another year.