The 29th International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama will take place from July 3 to August 8 across three historic venues in Cyprus: Curium Ancient Theatre in Limassol, the Ancient Odeon in Paphos, and the Makarios III Amphitheatre in Nicosia. Organised by the department of contemporary culture and the Cyprus Centre of the International Theatre Institute, the event features a diverse lineup of local and international productions interpreting ancient Greek drama with contemporary relevance.

The festival opens with Euripides’ The Trojan Women performed by a Spanish company, focusing on the devastating effects of war. Subsequent performances include Latvian and Greek interpretations of classics like Hecuba and Lysistrata, with the only Cypriot production being Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes by Persona Theatre Company. The festival concludes with a political adaptation of Euripides’ Alcestis by the National Theatre of Greece.

Most productions highlight themes of war, violence, and collective trauma, demonstrating the enduring power of ancient drama to reflect modern social and political issues. This year’s festival continues to foster cross-cultural dialogue through innovative theatrical expressions in Cyprus.