International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama – Cyprus 2026

Background & History

• Origins: Established in 1997 by the Cyprus Centre of the International Theatre Institute (CCOITI), inspired by director Nicos Shafkalis, to promote ancient Greek drama as a vital part of Cyprus’s cultural landscape.
• Cultural Significance: Ancient Greek drama, originating in 5th-century BCE Athens, is celebrated as the foundation of European theater, exploring universal themes of morality, fate, and human conflict that resonate today.
• Evolution: From a local initiative, it has grown into a globally recognized festival, hosting over 135 theatre groups from 24+ countries, drawing 15,000–20,000 attendees annually.
• Global Collaboration: Features productions from nations like Greece, Italy, Japan, and the USA, each presenting unique interpretations of works by Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus in their native languages.
• Awards and Recognition: Honored with the EFFE Label (2015–2021) as one of Europe’s finest festivals, and included in Pafos2017 European Capital of Culture and 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage.
• Innovation: Known for innovative stagings, blending traditional texts with modern directorial approaches, enhanced by Greek and English surtitles for accessibility.
• Organizers: Co-organized by CCOITI and the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, Cyprus, with past involvement of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism until 2024.
• Impact: Strengthens Cypriot cultural identity, fosters international dialogue, and supports local artists, while attracting a diverse audience of locals, tourists, and theater scholars.

Event Highlights

• Main Performances: Features four major productions in 2026, including Euripides’ The Bacchae (Italy), Sophocles’ Philoctetes and Electra (Greece), and Euripides’ Iphigenia in Tauris (Cyprus), performed in open-air amphitheatres.
• The Bacchae by Euripides: Directed by Daniele Salvo (DIDE Cultural Association, Italy), a visceral exploration of divine madness with minimalist staging and vibrant choral work, performed in Italian.
• Philoctetes by Sophocles: Directed by George Kimoulis (Methexis Theatre Productions, Greece), a poignant study of betrayal and redemption, using traditional Greek masks and modern lighting.
• Iphigenia in Tauris by Euripides: Directed by Onisiforos Onisiforou (Theatрики Stegi Kyprou & Anyhow Theatre Ensemble, Cyprus), blending Cypriot folk elements with tragic storytelling.
• Electra by Sophocles: Directed by Dimitri Tarlow (Poreia Theatre, Greece), a dynamic retelling with experimental soundscapes, emphasizing Electra’s emotional turmoil.
• Special Features: Performances include Greek and English surtitles, ensuring accessibility for international audiences, with directors’ talks post-show to discuss creative approaches.
• Unique Attractions: Pre-show workshops on ancient Greek theater techniques at Curium and Paphos, plus guided tours of archaeological sites for festivalgoers, enhancing the historical context.
• Cultural Exchange: Showcases diverse cultural interpretations, e.g., Italian avant-garde, Greek classical, and Cypriot modern, fostering a global dialogue on ancient texts.

Date & Duration

• Dates: July 8 – August 1, 2026 (projected based on 2025’s July 9 – August 2 schedule).
• Duration: 25 days, with performances scheduled over weekends and select weekdays.
• Performance Schedule: Eight shows across July and August, with each production staged 1–3 times at different venues, starting at 21:00.

Venue / Location

• Cities: Limassol, Paphos, and Nicosia, Cyprus, hosting performances in historic and modern amphitheatres.
• Curium Ancient Theatre: A 2nd-century BCE Roman amphitheatre near Limassol, set against the Mediterranean, hosting The Bacchae, Philoctetes, and Electra.
• Paphos Ancient Odeon: A 2nd-century CE Greco-Roman venue in Paphos’s archaeological park, hosting Iphigenia in Tauris, with views of the harbor.
• Makarios III Amphitheatre: A modern open-air venue in Nicosia, hosting The Bacchae and Iphigenia in Tauris, known for its urban accessibility.
• Skali Amphitheatre, Aglantzia: A contemporary venue in Nicosia, offering intimate seating for select performances, surrounded by cultural hubs.
• Google Maps Addresses:
  • Curium Ancient Theatre: Episkopi, Limassol, Cyprus (34.6690° N, 32.9001° E).
  • Paphos Ancient Odeon: Kato Paphos, Paphos, Cyprus (34.7578° N, 32.4122° E).
  • Makarios III Amphitheatre: Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus (35.1411° N, 33.3563° E).
  • Skali Amphitheatre: Aglantzia, Nicosia, Cyprus (35.1467° N, 33.3942° E).

Ticket Information

• Ticket Prices (USD): Regular tickets at $16.50 USD (€15); concessions at $11 USD (€10) for students, seniors, National Guard, large families, and unemployed.
• Festival Pass: $55 USD (€50) per person for all four performances, valid only for non-concession tickets, offering a 25% savings.
• Group Sales: $13.20 USD (€12) per ticket for groups of 10+ people, bookable via ticketing@soldoutticketbox.com.
• Free Admission: Available for people with disabilities (book via +357 70 002414, 7 days prior) and CCOITI members (after 2026 membership fee payment and pass reservation).
• Purchase Methods: Online at soldoutticketbox.com, at venue box offices (open 18:00–21:00 on performance days), or via phone (+357 70 002414).
• Minimum Pricing: $11 USD (€10, concession rate for eligible groups).
• Maximum Pricing: $55 USD (€50, festival pass for four performances).
• Special Seating/VIP Options: Limited VIP seats at Curium and Paphos ($33–$44 USD), offering front-row views and post-show meet-and-greets with directors, bookable online.
• Restrictions: Tickets required in print or digital form; concession buyers must show ID; no entry after performances start; no photography or food inside venues.

Contact Information

• Email: info@ccoiti.org.cy (general inquiries); ticketing@soldoutticketbox.com (group sales); press@ccoiti.org.cy (media inquiries).
• Phone: +357 70 002414 (CCOITI, English and Greek support, 9:00–17:00 weekdays).
• Website: https://greekdramafest.com (programme, tickets, and venue info).
• Social Media: @greekdramafest (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook for updates and live streams).
• Key Staff: Festival Coordinator (contact via info@ccoiti.org.cy); overseen by CCOITI Board and Deputy Ministry of Culture.
• Press/Volunteers: Press passes via press@ccoiti.org.cy; volunteer applications (ushers, ticketing) via info@ccoiti.org.cy, opening March 2026.
• Response Time: 24–48 hours for email; immediate support via phone during office hours.
• Language Support: English and Greek; limited French and German support for international queries.

Cultural Experience

• Traditions: Performances revive ancient Greek theatrical practices, including choral odes and masked acting, rooted in 5th-century BCE Athenian festivals like the Dionysia.
• Music: Traditional Greek lyre and aulos accompany some productions, with modern scores (e.g., Electra’s experimental soundscapes) enhancing emotional depth.
• Costumes: Actors wear period-inspired chitons, himations, and tragic masks, often tailored to reflect each country’s cultural aesthetic, like Italian minimalist designs or Cypriot folk motifs.
• Local Customs: Cypriot audiences engage in post-show discussions, a nod to ancient symposia, fostering dialogue about the plays’ relevance to modern ethics and politics.
• Multicultural Elements: Each production reflects its country’s heritage—e.g., Italy’s The Bacchae uses commedia dell’arte influences, while Cyprus’s Iphigenia incorporates Mediterranean storytelling.
• Educational Aspect: Free workshops on mask-making and tragic performance, held at venues before shows, connect attendees to ancient Greek cultural practices.

Food & Drinks

• Cypriot Meze: Small plates of souvlaki, halloumi, and sheftalia, served at nearby tavernas in Paphos and Limassol ($5–$10 USD per dish).
• Kleftiko: Slow-cooked lamb, a Cypriot specialty, available at food stalls near Makarios III Amphitheatre ($8–$12 USD).
• Loukoumades: Honey-drizzled doughnuts, a festival favorite, sold at Skali Amphitheatre vendors ($3–$5 USD for a portion).
• Commandaria Wine: Cyprus’s sweet, ancient dessert wine, offered at pop-up bars near Curium ($4–$6 USD per glass).
• Zivania: A potent Cypriot grape spirit, served chilled at Paphos Odeon stalls ($2–$4 USD per shot), reflecting local distillation traditions.
• Non-Alcoholic Options: Fresh carob juice and rosewater lemonade, popular at family-friendly venues ($2–$3 USD).

Getting There

• Nearest Airports: Larnaca International Airport (LCA, 60 km to Nicosia, 50 km to Limassol) and Paphos International Airport (PFO, 15 km to Paphos), with flights from London, Athens, and Dubai.
• Public Transport to Curium: Intercity buses from Nicosia/Larnaca to Limassol ($5 USD, 1 hour), then local bus 16B to Episkopi ($2 USD, 20 minutes); shuttle buses from Agios Ermogenis parking ($1 USD).
• Public Transport to Paphos Odeon: Paphos bus 615 from airport to Kato Paphos ($2 USD, 15 minutes); walk 5 minutes from Kings Avenue Mall.
• Public Transport to Nicosia: Nicosia bus 405 to Aglantzia for Skali ($1.50 USD, 10 minutes); bus 100 to Makarios III ($1.50 USD, 15 minutes).
• Festival Bus from Nicosia: Round-trip to Curium for Philoctetes (July 17–18) and Electra (July 31–August 1) at $3.30 USD, departing 18:30 from Athalassa Avenue.
• Taxis/Rideshare: Taxis from LCA to Nicosia ($50–$60 USD), Paphos ($20–$30 USD); Bolt app offers 20% cheaper rides.
• Parking: Limited at Curium (use Agios Ermogenis lot, free shuttle); Paphos Odeon has designated spaces at Kato Paphos; ample parking at Makarios III and Skali.
• Walking: Nicosia venues are 5–10 minutes from city center; Paphos Odeon is walkable from Kato Paphos hotels; Curium requires transport from Episkopi.

Accommodation Options

• Luxury: Columbia Beach Resort, Pissouri (near Curium, seafront suites, $250–$400 USD/night); Amathus Beach Hotel, Limassol (spa, pool, $200–$350 USD/night).
• Mid-Range: Almyra Hotel, Paphos (near Odeon, modern design, $150–$250 USD/night); Ajax Hotel, Limassol (central, $100–$180 USD/night).
• Budget: Pefkos City Hotel, Limassol (near Curium bus, $60–$90 USD/night); Airbnb apartments in Nicosia old town ($50–$80 USD/night).
• Boutique: Alasia Boutique Hotel, Limassol (art-deco, rooftop bar, $120–$200 USD/night); The Classic Hotel, Nicosia (near Makarios III, $90–$150 USD/night).
• Hostels: Kiniras Traditional Hotel & Hostel, Paphos (dorm beds, $20–$40 USD/night); Nicosia City Center Hostel (budget, $25–$45 USD/night).
• Rural Stays: Vasilias Nikoklis Inn, Paphos (traditional village, 20 km from Odeon, $70–$100 USD/night).