A dangerous heatwave is gripping Greece, with temperatures set to soar above 40°C (104°F) this week, forcing authorities to issue health and fire alerts just as a major national arts festival kicks off at open-air archaeological sites across the country.
The country is bracing for a dramatic swing in weather, with a "heat dome" expected to bring scorching temperatures through Wednesday, followed by a sharp cool-down and then another surge of heat.
The volatile conditions have put the nation on high alert for wildfires.
Despite the warnings, the Ministry of Culture is moving forward with the second week of its "All of Greece One Culture" festival, a series of free music, dance, and theater performances staged at historic venues.
This week, seven new productions are scheduled at sites including the ancient Odeon of Gortyna in Crete, the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki, and the Polycentric Museum of Aigai in Vergina.
The juxtaposition of a major cultural celebration with the threat of extreme weather highlights the challenges Greece faces as it balances its vital tourism and cultural sectors with the growing realities of climate change.
Meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllias has warned that the heatwave will peak on Tuesday and Wednesday before a temporary drop in temperatures on Thursday, which will be accompanied by strong winds, further increasing the fire risk.
Authorities are urging the public, including those attending festival events, to take extreme precautions, avoid sun exposure during midday, and stay hydrated.