Culture – Sports
Physical Education Office
The Physical Education Office of the University of Thessaly (PEO) is staffed by Ioannis Kafentarakis, Panagiotis Keramidas, and Artemis Pappa, all members of the Special Teaching Staff of physical education. The PEO aspires to improve student fitness, to promote team spirit through student participation in university sports teams and to encourage healthy competition. The university sports teams take part in interdepartmental tournaments and/or athletic events for university students in Greece and abroad. Moreover, there are departments for University of Thessaly staff, aiming to improve and preserve a good physical condition. The PEO systematically and methodically works for the undisrupted participation of students to academic sportsmanship, as well as the upgrading of the latter. The goals that have been set are served by a series of initiatives, such as:
- the initiation to and participation of students and staff in sports that meet their individual needs and athletic goals.
- the design of fitness regimes according to individual needs
- the organization of internal tournaments
The participation of students of the University of Thessaly as a member of the Higher Education Sports Committee (Greek: E.A.T.E.) in interuniversity tournaments in Greece or Europe (EUSA-FISU)
You can find more information on the program of athletic events inn Larissa here: http://sports.teilar.gr
Art Groups
Theater group
University of Thessaly’s official theatre group, the ‘Third Floor’ gives students the opportunity to become acquainted with the art of theatre, to work into a team and discover their self-expression skills with the use of theatre games and improvisation. The members of the group familiarise themselves with the art of theatre through exercises, games and techniques and are encouraged to explore their voice, speech and movement as means of expression and tools in this creative experience. Each year the group selects, adapts or composes the plays they will present to the University’s community and beyond (usually a Christmas children’s play and a play for the general public before the summer). 
The group works collectively and experimentally, with the guidance of the director / theatre educator and is encouraged to suggest and improvise the material for the final performance. The members of the group (more than 60 over the last years) are invited to participate in all phases of the creation of a theatrical performance, from the adaptation / writing of the play to set making, music, costumes, lighting, while various collaborations are encouraged i.e. with the University’s Music Ensembles for the songs, the Department of Architecture for the set design, with Volos’ Vocational Training Institute for the costumes, and so on.
The final result is presented to the University’s community and beyond (participation in the Serres International University Theatre Festival, theatre tour in the ‘cities of the University of Thessaly’, presentations at the Kassavetia prison, performances in the city’s central theatre venues, schools, etc.). As part of the ‘Third Floor’, the Educational Theatre Group of the University of Thessaly emerged, as a specialised team which plans and organises pedagogical programs for institutions such as the Roma Support Centre, Volos Orphanage, schools in the remote villages of Pelion, Volos prisons, etc. For the last two years and since live theatrical encounters were hardly possible, the ‘3rd Floor’ stayed active in the field of creation and production of short and feature films, giving students the opportunity to remain creative and explore the possibilities of the art of cinema. The fruit of these efforts is the Cinema Group ‘24 Frames’ which was established for the needs of the specific period but continues exploring the art and techniques of cinema, independently and in close collaboration with the ‘Third Floor’.
‘Third Floor’ online: Έυημερία Νάρκη’ https://youtu.be/80qM2vVD2ks A dystopian film, written by the group, which looks at the unfamiliar experience of the quarantine through a (black) humour lens Trailer: https://youtu.be/B0w0ZL715s4
‘Are you missing something?’ https://youtu.be/8SC_lrGv_AE A short film created by the group in collaboration with ΚΕΘΕΑ – Πιλότος, in order to raise awareness for drug abuse and addiction. Trailer: https://youtu.be/pK2HoSj0V_0
‘B.A.B.Y. Ltd’ https://youtu.be/-ORVWJl_GjQ Filmed Performance which occurred from the Theatre group’s participation in the programme P.A.G.E. Performance and Gender Equality, an international arts project organised by ‘Crossing Borders Dk’ to educate and raise awareness on LGBTQ+ and gender issues.
‘Laughing’ https://youtu.be/8W03nfIUWTs Theatre from a distance or a study on C. Durang’s ‘Laughing Wild’ because we all need the arts during the pandemic.
‘Re – Act’ https://youtu.be/xvMxSZLbF7E In collaboration with the Department of Language and Intercultural Studies and the professor E. Anastasaki, a video narration by the students about literature and diversity.
‘The Parade’ https://youtu.be/HU-gGZkXy00 A short film based on the play by L. Anagnostaki, created by the group for the Grant Award Ceremony by the Israeli Community of Volos.
‘Extraordinary Festive Biscuits’ https://youtu.be/o_zPa3xLIi4 A letter from Santa Claus, warm wishes and holiday recipes presented with laughter and love by the students of the University for young audiences.
Cultural Groups
University of Thessaly Musical Ensembles
The University of Thessaly Musical Ensembles (vocal expression group and instrumental ensembles) ran by Maria Thoidou, Special Teaching Staff, are composed of students of the University Departments. Their aim is to promote the collective musical creation and culture of students primarily through vocal expression. With their artistic activity through the organization of concerts, seminars, musical publications, festivals, cultural exchange, and more, they contribute to the University’s active presence in terms of Culture.
Contact: mousika_synola@uth.gr">mousika_synola@uth.gr YouTube: Music Ensembles UTH Read more on the University of Thessaly’s Musical Ensembles 
University of Thessaly Choir
The University of Thessaly Choir was founded in 2015 in Volos, where it is primarily located. Its classes are made up by students and all University Departments from Volos, Larissa, Karditsa, Trikala and Lamia participate in its activities. Its artistic activity started in 2015 and consistently continues up to this day. Choir rehearsals are held in the “Skouvara” room, on the mezzanine of Bulding 3 at the seafront complex of the University of Thessaly. Read more on the UTH Choir.
yUTH-Radio
At the University there is a web radio station by the name of yUTH-Radio. The station has been operational since 2013 and it is hosted at the Student Club of the Department of Spatial Planning, Urban planning and Regional Development. Students participate in the operation of the radio station, coming from all schools and departments of the University of Thessaly, and it is also open to any member of the Academic community who wishes to participate. The station productions are mainly addressed to the student community and the general public, while, at the same time, they support and promote the events and activities of the University of Thessaly.
Website: yuth-radio.com
Paou Festival
Musical explorations overlooking the sky and the sea Searching for deeper communication and wider view… M.T.
The Paou Festival of the University of Thessaly (paufestival.uth.gr) started in the summer of 2016 and has been organized annually ever since. Its vision is to shape and establish a unique artistic presence in terms of the University’s cultural function.
The Paou Festival is organized by the University of Thessaly with the support of the Rectorate, in collaboration with the Research Committee and the Committee for the Utilization and Management of the University Property, under the artistic direction of Maria Thoidou, in charge of the University of Thessaly’s Musical Ensembles, member of the Special Teaching Staff of the University and with volunteers from members and collaborators of the University of Thessaly Musical Ensembles.
The Paou Festival is hosted at the Conference and Cultural Center of the University of Thessaly at the Old Paou Monastery, in the village of Argalasti, Pelion. (http://mpaou.uth.gr)
It has collaborated with a multitude of exceptional, renowned musicians from Greece and abroad and its communications are supported by the state radio and television (ERT). Since 2020, the Paou Festival has been included in the register of cultural institutions of the Ministry of Culture.