The Nicolaideio Gymnasium of Paphos clinched joint first prize at the inaugural European Student Ancient Theatre Competition held in the ancient Roman theatre of Avella, Italy. The school performed Aristophanes’ Birds, competing successfully against 21 schools from the Greek diaspora. The award was shared with the Mousi School of Kastoria, which presented a functional replica of an ancient Greek/Roman theatre.

Directed and scripted by philologist Anastasia Christodoulou, the Paphos production featured an elaborate set design and live orchestra accompaniment, highlighting the school’s multidisciplinary approach involving teachers and students from various fields. The project received crucial support from the Parents’ Association, the Municipality of Paphos, and other sponsors.

The competition, organized by ELEKPRO under a Greek-Italian partnership, aimed to explore ancient Greek theatre and its relevance to contemporary social issues. The event showcased diverse talents, with contributions spanning choreography, costume design, music supervision, and an extensive cast, underscoring the educational and cultural significance of the arts in modern schooling.