After fourteen of difficult years of silence, At the ancient theater of Thassos The words of the great tragic were heard again. The theater, fully restored and regenerated, found its “voice” again. After years of demanding work, he revealed to the hundreds of spectators his imposing form, there, on the slope of the hill, which dominates the 4th century BC.
Hug from the trees surrounding it and with the sea spreading in front of it like an endless mirrorin the ancient theater of Thassos, nature and history coexist in complete harmony. After fourteen years he returned to life, transformed and fully restored with the authenticity he deserves.
The famous internationally white marble of Thassos, The same thing that once “dressed” the magnificent monuments of the island, again highlights the lines of the theater, giving it a new life and revealing its unsurpassed beauty. White marble really radiates under the sun and literally transforms the monument. And as the sun prepares to sink into the vastness of the sea, the viewer feels ecstatic, enjoying one of the most beautiful Aegean sunsets, while at the same time becoming a social and participant of the rich cultural heritage of our country.
The Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni itself, In the autopsy he made a year ago, he emphasized with emphasis That is one of the best works of complete restoration of ancient theater in Greece, congratulating the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kavala and the head of Stavroula Dadakis, who successfully completed it.
The first show after 14 years
The first official performance presented at the restored theater last Saturday night was the production of the National Theater “Evripidis”, directed by Efthimi Theou and in collaboration with the DIZOMA Association, in the framework of the Ministry of Culture: This innovative action of highlighting the surviving ancient theaters of Greece includes a unique performance of theater and archeology, with the participation of a troupe of separate artists of the Greek theater.
According to the case, in 2022, in Philadelphia, Egypt, a papyrus with excerpts from the lost works “Polyidos” and “Ino” by Euripides. On the occasion of this finding, the performance “SKINTS: Euripides” dives into the partially preserved work of the Athenian tragic, presenting, in the orchestra of ancient theaters of Attica, as well as the Aegean islands, a narrative and musical composition of the theater and theater.
On stage a paradox is set up, Existential excavation whose findings are not, this time, vessels or architectures, But theatrical lyrics, words of ancient actors, broken into small pieces. Five performers – archaeologists, equipped with brushes, sieves and triangles, dig under the sun, following the almost ritual process of an archaeological excavation, as it evolves during a day. Through their excavations, snapshots of ancient performances and details of the daily life of the theaters will spark, where the work will take place.
In his statements, the mayor of the island of Lefteris Kyriakidis spoke of a historic day for the island, saying: “After so many years, the theater breaks its silence. We are all excited about this pleasant development. The ancient theater, in a way, is reintegrated into the rich cultural history of our island. Even after so many years, we can enjoy a play for so many years. I personally thank the Minister of Culture, Mrs Mendoni, who contributed to this purpose. I thank the Regional Governor for incorporating the rehabilitation of the NSRF, the supervisor of the project, Mrs Panousis, Mrs Dadakis, and those who worked all these years to get this excellent result. “
With the full support of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the leadership of the Ministry of Culture, which incorporated the project into its co-financed programs, the staff of the “Eastern Macedonia-Thrace” Program Management Service, to be overcome.
AMTH Christodoulos Topsidis, in his statement, He stressed – among other things – that “tonight’s night is the fruit of a collective faith and constant effort. It belongs to all those who envisioned the revival of the theater and worked to see it become a practice. “
“The heart of the island’s culture has struck loudly, in a place that unites centuries of history with modern creation. The AMTH Region, supporting the project with resources of the NSRF 2014-2020 and 2021-2027, totaling € 5.5 million, has substantially contributed to the promotion and restoration of one of the most important ancient theaters of our country. The theater of Thassos has life, functionality and perspective again, “concludes Mr. Topsidis.
Important and difficult restoration work
Speaking to RES-EIA, the Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities Stavroula Dadaki emphasized that “the work of the restoration of this monumental theater was perhaps one of the most difficult technical works implemented in recent years by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kavala-Thassos under the supervision of the archaeologist. In fact, the hollow of the theater was thoroughly dug in order to restore the damage of the past, to solve static issues, to complete important infrastructure that would ensure its rescue, and ultimately contribute to its modern function as a place that can host cultural and cultural events.
One of the most important tasks done It was the recording and identification of the ancient members of the theater that were replaced. Frained ancient docks were supplemented with cast material and where there was no ancient material, members were placed by all -white marble mined on the island.
“The hollow restoration work proved to be extremely problematic and much more extensive than originally foreseen, as new evidence was emerged. In total, 1,039 architectural members were raised, designed, reinstalled with many other similar tasks. The completion of all the work is due to the staff of the project, who worked under extremely difficult conditions, often exaggerating himself, and to the supervising archaeologist Mrs Panousis, ”concludes Ms. Dadakis.
Thassos white marble “dressed up” the theater
Former island Mayor Costas Hadjiemanouil, which pioneered the restoration of the ancient theater in its original marble form, Speaking to RES-EIA, he does not hide his joy and emotion, which after so many years the theater opened to the public again, hosting the first show.
“I feel justified,” he said in his statements, “as a multi -year effort that began in 2011, and a personal struggle, came to an end thanks to the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kavala – Thassos and the Stavroula Dadaki Antiquities. For the inhabitants of the island the ancient theater was our first school. “
“I feel,” continues Mr. Hadjiemannouil, “that I won a personal bet and fulfilling a commitment to the world of Thassos, when in 2010 I promised that I would throw the rotten plywood from the ancient theater of the island and replace them with all -white. I would also like to evade Mrs’s unanimous decision on marble restoration of the monument. A decision based on the excellent imprint of excellent archaeologist and architect Tony Kozelj, who lives on the island permanently offering important work. “
The ancient theater of Thassos, With the unparalleled sea view and the lush forest surrounding it, It offers its visitors a unique experience. As the sun sets, he sheds his sweet light on the white marbles of the theater, creating an idyllic image out of the era movie.
The integration of ancient theater into the cultural and artistic life of Thassos opens new horizons for tourism, offering the opportunity to residents and thousands of visitors to relive the glamor of the past in one of the most beautiful historical sites in Greece.