Theater policy.

Apollon Theater serves as a venue that showcases theatrical art within the cultural activities of the Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis and the social life of the island. At the same time, it stands as one of the most significant landmarks of Syros, symbolizing the cultural heritage of Hermoupolis.

Built in 1864 according to the design of Italian architect Pietro Sampo, who drew inspiration from four remarkable Italian theaters, including La Scala of Milan, the theater has adorned the heart of the Cycladic capital ever since. It hosts a variety of artistic and cultural events, renowned theatrical productions, and world-class performances.

It operates as a hub for artistic creation, free exchange, and dissemination of ideas and aesthetic perceptions, which promote the humanistic values of culture and strengthen social cohesion.

The Apollon Theater’s mission is to facilitate the Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis, as a Local Government entity, in ensuring the uninhibited and free interaction of citizens with the art of theater, artistic creation, and culture. To this end, it accommodates professional and amateur theatrical productions, both local and otherwise, supports the organization of tributes to theater history, movements, and personalities, and collaborates with public and private theatrical art entities from Greece and abroad.

Central to Apollon Theater’s activities is the support of artistic creation and the work of emerging artists, as well as local theatrical cultural organizations and other cultural stakeholders.

• Responsible Authority: The term “responsible authority” refers to the department under whose supervision and jurisdiction the Apollon Theater operates, as outlined in the current Internal Service Organization (ISO) of the Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis.
• Personnel of Apollon Theater: “Personnel of Apollon Theater” refers to municipal employees assigned to the theater, who are employed by the Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis under any form of employment relationship. It also includes private individuals contracted by the Municipality specifically for the operation, maintenance, and supervision of the theater and its facilities.
• Event Definition: The term “event” includes, but is not limited to, theatrical performances, film screenings, conferences, and any other activities consistent with the nature and historical character of Apollon Theater.
• Organizer Definition: “Organizer” refers to any association, public entity, private entity, company, foundation, public service, or organization granted the use of Apollon Theater to host an event.
• Visitor Definition: “Visitor” refers to an individual or group visiting Apollon Theater for tourism, historical, or educational purposes.
• Operational Responsibility: Apollon Theater operates under the responsibility of the designated authority. The theater’s operating hours are determined by the Municipal Council and take effect upon publication of the relevant approval by the competent auditing authority in the Government Gazette.
• Programming and Accessibility: The responsible authority of the Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis is tasked with drafting, submitting to the Cultural Committee, and implementing the program of theatrical performances and other artistic or cultural events hosted at Apollon Theater, subject to approval by the Municipal Council. It is also responsible for setting the theater’s visiting hours.
• Maintenance and Upkeep: In cooperation with other relevant municipal departments, the responsible authority ensures the maintenance of the theater’s facilities, procurement and upkeep of equipment, cleanliness, security, and adherence to the Operating Regulations.
• Scheduled Maintenance: Following the conclusion of the summer events program, Apollon Theater will remain closed for one month to facilitate maintenance work, as determined by the responsible authority. Additionally, a one-day gap is required between event bookings for optimal operation. Exceptions to these rules may be made by the Municipal Council if deemed necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.

• The use of the Apollon Theater’s event hall, as well as other indoor and outdoor spaces, may be granted to associations, public and private legal entities, companies of any form, foundations, public services, and organizations in general, which will be referred to as the “organizer” for the sake of brevity in this regulation.
• The Apollon Theater is primarily used for hosting theatrical performances. Additionally, it can accommodate other artistic and cultural events, musical performances, lectures, as well as cultural events and conferences.
• The philosophy and priorities of the Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis, based on which the spaces are granted, arise from the Municipal Council’s decisions approving the municipality’s cultural program, emphasizing the high quality of events. Other criteria include the reliability of the applicant, the quality of the proposal in artistic and technical aspects, the high standards of participants and content, and its impact on the local community. Proposals reflecting new art trends and the use of new technologies are also considered. Following legal procedures, the competent bodies for granting space usage reserve the right to deny such usage for purposes deemed inconsistent with this philosophy and priorities, offensive, unaligned with promoting culture and the Apollon Theater, or contrary to law, public order, or prevailing societal norms.
• The Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis bears no responsibility for the event’s content if it deviates from the program submitted by the organizer (in accordance with clause 2.6 of this regulation) or for any intellectual property claims made by third parties.
• The Apollon Theater’s spaces are not granted for school celebrations, except for theatrical or other events organized by school groups consisting of children over the age of eight (8), always under adult supervision. Usage is allowed only between October and April. The Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis assumes no responsibility for children’s safety, health, or well-being during rehearsals and events. This responsibility lies solely with the organizer, parents, supervising teachers, or other responsible persons or entities, whose details must be communicated in advance to the relevant authority.
• The granting of Apollon Theater spaces to any organizer is subject to a formal request submitted to the protocol office of the Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis within a reasonable time before the event. The request must clearly indicate the organizer’s details (name, address, phone, tax ID, contact person), type and program of the event, its duration, and the spaces to be used. The need for audiovisual equipment or other theater equipment, a detailed plan of stage settings, and designated representatives collaborating with the theater staff must also be specified.
• No use of Apollon Theater spaces is permitted without a Municipal Council decision. The organizer must sign the Usage Agreement within five (5) days of the decision notification. Failure to do so may result in reallocation of the space.
• Events cannot be announced before the Municipal Council decision and the signing of the Usage Agreement.
• The organizer unconditionally accepts these regulations, assumes full responsibility for restoring any damages caused, and accepts civil liability for the event. These commitments are certified upon signing the Usage Agreement by their authorized representative.
• Non-compliance with these regulations or the Usage Agreement terms allows the Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis to halt the event and deny future space allocation to the organizer, without any compensation.
• Staying in Apollon Theater premises requires the presence of theater staff. Keys will not be handed over to organizers. Rehearsals and technical tests are conducted during theater operating hours and must not interfere with visiting hours, unless exceptional arrangements are made.
• Organizers must adhere to agreed schedules, behave respectfully toward theater staff and audience, and operate within legal frameworks. Any necessary licenses or arrangements for the event are the sole responsibility of the organizer.
• The organizer must return the space in its original condition after the event, covering any restoration costs as directed by the relevant authority.
• In cases of force majeure leading to event cancellation, efforts will be made to reschedule. Cancellations due to organizer fault without at least fifteen (15) days’ notice incur minimum usage fees.
• If admission is charged, the usage fee is a percentage of net ticket revenue, plus VAT, determined by the Municipal Council. For free events, zero-value tickets must be issued, with costs borne by the organizer.
• Organizers with outstanding financial obligations will not be approved for future space usage.
• Tickets must be issued and distributed according to legal provisions through the theater’s electronic platform, with associated costs covered by the organizer.
• The organizer must ensure audience numbers do not exceed the Apollon Theater’s capacity of 300 and comply with safety regulations.
• The Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis reserves seats in the first row and specific boxes for official guests. Invitations will specify seat numbers, with attendance confirmation required a day before the event.
• Ticket pre-sales occur online 24/7 and at the theater’s box office during morning visiting hours. Evening pre-sales are available two days before events.
• The theater’s foyer and courtyard may be rented for refreshments or receptions, subject to legal and operational guidelines.
• Souvenirs and other related items may be sold through the Apollon Theater box office.

• All attendees at the Apollon Theater must behave appropriately, respecting the cleanliness and historical significance of the venue.
• Smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas of the Apollon Theater, in accordance with applicable health regulations.
• Children under the age of ten are not allowed access to the balcony seats on the first floor or the theater’s galleries without the accompaniment and supervision of an adult.
• Animals are not allowed in the Apollon Theater premises.
• It is strictly prohibited to pierce or alter the stage and equipment of the Apollon Theater by any means for the organization of theatrical performances or any other events. The organizer must provide the appropriate technical equipment for this purpose and takes full responsibility for the safe installation and stability of the stage elements, in accordance with the submitted plan and instructions from the competent authority. Additionally, they are directly responsible and accountable for the quality and safety of their own installations within the Apollon Theater, throughout the duration of the event and rehearsals. Under no circumstances should the placement of the stage elements obstruct the operation of the fire curtain along the theater’s proscenium.
• The use of fireworks, projectiles, and pyrotechnics, as well as the use of open flames such as matches and lighters, and the deposit of flammable materials in the Apollon Theater premises, is prohibited.
• The organizer is fully responsible for the setup, timely removal, and safekeeping of the performance’s stage elements. In the case of storing and securing stage elements and items at the Apollon Theater, with the permission of the competent authority, the Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis is not liable for the proper preservation and safe custody of these items.
• It is strictly prohibited to remove any movable elements or objects from the Apollon Theater to another location. In case of loss of items, the organizer is required to replace them.
• It is not allowed to attach any promotional material to all internal and external surfaces of the Apollon Theater that does not comply with the applicable legislation. The organizer is solely responsible for the content and any intellectual property rights related to the material displayed. Promotional materials for events may only be posted in designated exhibition frames, as directed by the Apollon Theater staff.
• Additional decoration of the reception area and the Apollon Theater hall is not allowed without the consent of the competent authority, which may remove such decorations if necessary.
• It is strictly prohibited to place banners outside of the designated / defined points on the facade of the Apollon Theater. If this rule is violated, the Apollon Theater staff is responsible for the immediate removal of such banners, even without the organizer’s consent.
• The use of the Apollon Theater’s sound and lighting technical installations is allowed exclusively by the Apollon Theater’s technical staff, in cooperation with the event organizers’ representatives.
• The organizer is responsible for ensuring the observance of quiet hours.
• The Apollon Theater staff may demand the removal of individuals from the premises who do not comply with instructions to adhere to the current regulations.
• In case of an emergency (e.g., fire) or any other situation that threatens the physical safety of visitors, spectators, or any attendees, the Apollon Theater will enter an Emergency State (ES), all activities will cease, and the Apollon Theater staff will implement all necessary procedures to safely evacuate the theater through the emergency exits.

• Visitors enter the Apollon Theater premises during the designated hours by paying the appropriate ticket as set by the relevant Municipal Council decision for the various categories.
• In the case of educational visits to the Apollon Theater by primary and secondary school students, the school administrations must provide the Theater with the relevant document of “Student Movement Notice for Teaching Visit,” issued by each school unit, or a similar document with the details of the accompanying teachers, who will be responsible for the safety and supervision of the children and ensuring their compliance with the present regulations.
• Entry of visitors is not allowed one hour prior to the scheduled event.
• The entrance of spectators is allowed only after showing the ticket/invitation to the responsible staff member.
• Entry to the plateia is not allowed after the start of the event unless seated in a box and only if a seat is available. Entry to the plateia is allowed again only during intermission. The organizer is obliged to inform the public about the above (by indicating it on tickets, etc.).
• For better service, the Apollon Theater box office stops selling tickets at the scheduled start time of the event, and seat reservations expire if tickets are not purchased by 14:00 on the same day for evening events or by the previous day’s noon for morning events. Otherwise, they may be reassigned. The organizer is obliged to inform the public about the above (by indicating it on posters, etc.).
• Each spectator must occupy the seat specified on their ticket. If this seat is occupied, they should contact the Apollon Theater staff.
• Cancellation and refund of ticket fees are allowed up to one hour before the event for a specified number of tickets (three per person – 3/ticket). The refund will be processed according to the method of purchase, either electronically or at the Apollon Theater box office.
• Entry is prohibited for persons who are intoxicated.
• Visitors and spectators must be appropriately dressed, respecting the cleanliness and historicity of the space.
• Consumption of food and drinks (except water in a bottle) is prohibited in all areas of the Apollon Theater. Exceptions apply only in cases where paragraphs 2.22 and 2.23 of these regulations apply and only in the reception areas, foyer, and outdoors.
• Climbing on the stage and seats, as well as photography inside the Theater with the use of flash, is prohibited.
• Wet raincoats and umbrellas must be left in the cloakroom or the lobby.
• Video recording, audio recording, photography, or any other form of recording of the event, in whole or in part, is prohibited without prior permission from the organizers and the approval of the responsible service. The equipment must be placed in a location designated by the Apollon Theater staff, and the Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis bears no responsibility for any loss or damage.
• The use of mobile phones during any event is strictly prohibited. In case of an emergency, usage should occur in the Theater’s foyer and should not disturb the ongoing event.

The regulation is complemented by the individual decisions of the Municipal Council regarding the payment of the usage fee per area and remains in force until any further amendments.

The regulation takes effect from the day it is approved by the Municipal Council, and any previous regulations cease to apply. It may be amended by a subsequent decision of the Municipal Council.

The entire set of articles of this Operational Regulation for the Apollon Theater, as supplemented and amended, will constitute the content of the Apollon Theater Usage Agreement.

In the case of the addition of specific terms, these will be examined and approved on a case-by-case basis by the Municipal Council.

The legal representative of the Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis for signing the Usage Agreement is the Mayor, and in the event of absence or incapacity, the elected head of the relevant department under whose responsibility the Apollon Theater operates.