The Master Programme in Greek Civilization of the School of Law and Social Sciences of Neapolis University in Cyprus, in cooperation with the International Institute for Ancient Greek Drama & Theatre, organized the second seminar on ancient Greek Drama Neapolis University in Cyprus. This year’s topic was Euripides’ Bacchae. The invited speakers were the dramaturge Mr George Mikellis, Dr Diotima Papadi (Lecturer in Classics), Dr Klitos Ioannides (Professor of Philosophy and Aesthetics), and, the Director Mr Nikos Siafkalis. The audience consisted mainly of Primary and Secondary School Teachers, actors and Theatre Students. The event was addressed by the Director of the International Institute for Ancient Greek Drama & Theatre, Mr Nikos Siafkalis, and, on behalf of Neapolis University Dr Diotima Papadi.
Mr George Mikellis highlighted important tragic themes and placed the play in a wider context of worship and politics. Dr Diotima Papadi discussed the intertextual references between plays which treat the same mythological topic, and underlined the prevailing presence of gods in the play. Mr Siafkalis attempted a staging approach of the Bacchae, pointing out all those great themes and aspects of the tragedy which a director must bring out and communicate to the audience.
On the closing day of the seminar Dr Klitos Ioannides discussed the epiphany and representation of gods in the play, while laying particular emphasis on the general context of worship in Greek tragedy. The last day also included the staging of selected scenes of the Bacchae under the direction of Mr Nikos Siafkalis, as well as an open discussion. The speakers congratulated the attendants for their participation at the seminar and their active engaging in fruitful discussions on Greek tragedy, and awarded them the certificates of attendance.
