AEF2026: The Bacchae

For theatre lovers, summer weekends in Greece are tied to travelling from Athens to the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus for their annual pilgrimage into the heart of Greece’s theatrical heritage. Set amidst the serene landscapes of the Argolid, Epidaurus offers you the chance to sit in an extraordinary and deeply moving space and watch performances that, although rooted to the ancient monument, speak directly to the present moment.
Last year, the Athens-Epidaurus Festival celebrated its 70th edition, a milestone that attests to its enduring place in European cultural life. This year, celebrated director Michael Marmarinos assumes the Festival’s three-year artistic directorship, launching what he describes as an exciting three-year programme. Each edition will be a complete experience on its own, yet together they form a broader vision. He has called it a journey through time, creativity, and the transformative power of performance.
For now, only the programme for the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus has been unveiled, offering a mix of classics, daring reinterpretations, and contemporary works that bring together Greek and international voices. Additional events and artistic actions will be revealed in time, promising further discoveries and delights. While this is the Epidaurus leg of the festival, its spirit extends far beyond, with a lively programme (ΤΒΑ) in Athens that celebrates theatre, music, dance, and creativity.

Check out what you can watch in the ancient amphitheatre:

A landmark production of The Bacchae arrives at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus as part of the Athens Epidaurus Festival, reimagined by visionary director Javor Gardev. This bold international co-production brings together Greek and Bulgarian performers in a staging that probes the timeless clash between reason and instinct, order and ecstasy.
At its heart, The Bacchae tells the story of a city thrown into turmoil when the god Dionysus arrives to challenge its rigid order. When King Pentheus refuses to recognise him, events spiral into chaos, blurring the line between reason and madness. The play asks a powerful, unsettling question: what happens when our need for control clashes with our more instinctive, emotional side?

In Javor Gardev’s hands, Euripides’ timeless tragedy aims to explore fear, authority, and human limits, pushing both the characters on stage and the audience to confront the darker, less rational sides of human nature.

Adding a striking contemporary dimension, the internationally acclaimed The Tiger Lillies perform live on stage, inhabiting the action as eerie troubadours drawn from a Dionysian underworld. Their signature sound intensifies the atmosphere, blurring the boundaries between concert and ancient drama.