Italian News

Ancient Greek Drama Festival Returns to Siracusa

By Dr. Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

American writer and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “The beautiful fables of the Greeks, being proper creations of the imagination and not of the fancy, are universal verities.” These timeless dramas, which consist of a brilliant mixture of ancient myths, complicated tragic stories, religious rituals, and lyric poetry, are still relevant in our modern times.

Now, what could be more fascinating than watching an ancient Greek drama in its original setting? There is a place in Sicily where you can actually do that. A place that will make you travel back in time. A place where spectators from all eras have been moved by the predicaments of human life. This place is the magnificent Siracusa Greek theater.

After being closed for a year due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers of the INDA Ancient Greek Drama Festival are preparing the 56th edition of the Stagione del Teatro Greco. This cultural event, which is held at the Siracusa Greek Theater, boasts a worldrenowned tradition dating back to 1914.

This year, the festival will run from July 3 to August 22 featuring three plays: “The Choephori/Eumenides” by Aeschylus, “The Bacchantes” by Euripides, and “The Clouds” by Aristophanes.

In ancient Greece, the first “Tragedies” were actually satiric myths that were sung and danced by a chorus during the festival held in honor of Dionysus, the God of wine. According to some historians, the word “tragedy” derives from the Greek word “tragoidia,” or goat-song, because goats were sacred to Dionysus and the chorus wore goatskins. Surprsingly in today’s day and age, goats were given as awards for the best performances.

Over the years, these performances developed a more serious form. Instead of gaiety and burlesque, the plays focused on the relationship between man and the gods. These dramas attempted to answer questions about the nature of man, his position in the universe, and his relationship with the supernatural powers governing his life. These tragic plays were basically aimed at expressing man’s feelings towards the uncontrollable external forces ruling his destiny despite his will.

The Greek Theater of Siracusa is the oldest and largest in Sicily. The landmark of the city, it has a capacity of about 15,000 spectators and still boasts amazing sound quality. It was built in the 5th century BCE, expanded in the 3rd century BCE, and renovated again in the Roman period. It was the venue of performances by the most important playwrights of the time such as Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, Aristophanes etc. The theater was also used as a place of worship and hosted large popular assemblies, as well as public trials.

Almost forgotten and abandoned in the Middle Ages and in the following centuries, the theater suffered structural damage over the years.

Since 2005, the theater it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list for being “the finest example of outstanding architectural creation spanning several cultural aspects (Greek, Roman and Baroque).”

For more information and performances’ schedules, visit www.indafondazione.org

Tickets can be purchased at https://indafondazione. vivaticket.it

The Choephori/Eumenides by Aeschylus

July 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31

The Bacchantes By Euripides

July 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 August 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 , 16 , 18 , 20

The Clouds, comedy by Aristophanes

August 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21