Two ancient myths, two heartbreaking heroines, two present-day themes, two landmark performances at Epidaurus
Ancient myths and their heroes, more relevant than ever, never cease to move us, inspire us, and lead us in personal, artistic, social, and intellectual quests. When it comes to artists of the calibre of Timofey Kulyabin and Tiago Rodrigues, a figure from Greek mythology can become a starting point for the creation of a story from scratch, a story that is different, both reminiscent and not reminiscent of the original myth.
Iphigenia in Aulis by Euripides
This year’s Festival programme in Epidaurus is opening with a world premiere. The internationally acclaimed and award-winning Russian director, Timofey Kulyabin, directs a highly select company of Greek actors and actresses.
Cast (in alphabetical order): Anthi Efstratiadou, Maria Nafpliotou, Nikolas Papagiannis, Dimitris Papanikolaou, Thanos Tokakis, Nikos Psarras
Kulyabin draws inspiration from the greatest anti-war work by Euripides to speak about the suffering and horrors of war.
He chose this play because he believes it is still relevant. At a time when conflict, loss of life, and human wounds are all around us, the myth of Iphigenia highlights the absurdity of war.
‘A huge sacrifice must be made to serve the war,’ notes the production’s dramaturg, Roman Dolzhanskiy. ‘There is also a family betrayal behind this sacrifice. A betrayal which proves that war can destroy any human conduct, any value.’
Hecuba, not Hecuba
Tiago Rodrigues, artistic director of the Avignon Festival, wrote and directed Hecuba, not Hecuba, which will be performed by Comédie-Française, the oldest company in the world, at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus on 26 and 27 July. This is the first time Rodrigues presents his work at Epidaurus, which is the second venue after Avignon where this play is performed.
On the one hand, Rodrigues is inspired by Euripides’ tragedy Hecuba, and on the other, by the daily struggles of a modern woman and mother.
The Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus
The Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus is one of the most magnificent theatres of the ancient world. Buried under an olive grove until the 1970’s, this stunning theatre offers breathtaking views to the sea and a peaceful surrounding environment that caresses the soul. It was built in the 4th century B.C., in honor of god Dionysus. Today, it is one of the most precious venues of the Athens Epidaurus Festival.
ANCIENT THEATRE OF EPIDAURUS
Starting time for all performances 9pm
Greek and English surtitles in all performances
5 & 6 July
THEATRE
WORLD PREMIERE
Timofey Kulyabin
Iphigenia in Aulis by Euripides
12 & 13 July
THEATRE
National Theatre of Greece
Theodoros Terzopoulos
Oresteia by Aeschylus
19 & 20 July
THEATRE
National Theatre of Northern Greece
Giannis Kakleas
Plutus by Aristophanes
26 & 27 July
THEATRE
Comédie-Française
Tiago Rodrigues
Hecuba, Not Hecuba
2 & 3 August
THEATRE
National Theatre of Greece
Thanos Papakonstantinou
Bacchae by Euripides
9 & 10 August
THEATRE
Aris Biniaris
Birds by Aristophanes
23 & 24 August
Greek Art Theatre “Karolos Koun”
Neos Kosmos Theatre
Marianna Calbari
The Suppliants by Aeschylus
5 July – 24 August 6pm – 12am
Exhibition Ηall
PERIODIC EXHIBITION
Hippolytus – Phaedra
As part of the International Network of Ancient Drama
5 July – 24 August 8pm – 12am
CHILDREN’S CREATIVE WORKSHOP IN EPIDAURUS
Little Trackers
As part of the International Network of Ancient Drama Fridays and Saturdays, during the performance at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
For children aged 5-10
LITTLE THEATRE OF ANCIENT EPIDAURUS
Starting time for all performances 9:30pm
Greek and English surtitles in all performances
5 & 6 July
THEATRE MONOLOGUES
CONTEMPORARY ANCIENTS
EKATERINI PAPAGEORGIOU
Iphigenia / Prey by Vivian Stergiou
Inspired by Euripides’ Iphigenia in Aulis
NIKOS CHATZOPOULOS
Me, Her Servant by Vangelis Hatziyannidis
Inspired by Euripides’ Hecuba
13 July
CLASSICAL MUSIC
ALEXIA VOULGARIDOU
JAN ROELOF WOLTHUIS
Between Eros, Agape, and Thanatos
20 July
GREEK MUSIC
DIMITRIS KALANTZIS
Masters’ Voice:
Manos Hadjidakis, Vassilis Tsitsanis
26 & 27 July
GREEK MUSIC
ELEONORA ZOUGANELI
On Different Paths
17 – 23 June
Athens
24 – 29 June
Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus
STUDIO RESIDENCY
Parodos
As part of the International Network
of Ancient Drama
Odeon of Herodes Atticus | Classical music events & a dance performance you should include in your visit to Athens.
At the foot of the Acropolis hill, just being at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a unique experience in itself. For another year, the Athens Epidaurus Festival has invited world famous musicians, orchestras, and artists to perform at the historical Roman Odeon. Our suggestions for nine classical music events and a dance performance follow.
10 July, THE PHILHARMONIC BRASS – PHILIPPE AUGUIN
Works by Gershwin, Williams, Morricone, Shostakovich, Verdi, Mascagni, Dvořák
The Philharmonic Brass comprises eminent musicians spanning three generations with close ties to both the Berlin and the Vienna Philharmonic. Under the baton of beloved Maestro Philippe Auguin, they are expected to offer us an unforgettable concert experience, performing popular film score pieces and classical works alike.
12 July, ATHENS STATE ORCHESTRA – LUKAS KARYTINOS – KHATIA BUNIATISHVILI
Works by Tchaikovsky and Bartók
Thanks to a fiery combination of talent, virtuosity, and brilliance, Georgian piano superstar Katia Buniatishvili captivates her audiences. She will perform perhaps the most popular piano concerto of all time, Tchaikovsky’s No. 1. The Athens State Orchestra and acclaimed conductor Lukas Karytinos will transform themselves into… soloists in Bella Bartók’s iconic Concerto for Orchestra.
16 July, JAKUB JÓZEF ORLIŃSKI, IL POMO D’ORO
Beyond
The Polish award-winning counter tenor Jakub Józef Orliński enchants us not only with his ‘eerily beautiful’ voice but also as a breakdancer. With Il Pomo d’Oro, they have introduced a new generation of listeners to Early music: Orliński’s live recorded performance of Vivaldi’s Vedrò con mio diletto has over 11,000,000 views on YouTube. Beyond comprises early Baroque compositions that will be presented in a highly anticipated and unconventional evening.
Starting time: 9pm unless otherwise noted.
English surtitles in all Greek theater productions and Greek surtitles on opening night for persons with hearing impairment.
Access Metro station: Acropoli
Ticket points of sale:
Athens Epidaurus Festival:
Info point City of Athens, Syntagma square
Mon – Fri 9am-8pm | Sat 10am – 6pm
Odeon Of Herodes Atticus
Mon-Fri 10am-2pm & on performance days 6pm-9pm
Online sales
Persons with disabilities: tameia@aefestival.gr