After fourteen years of “silence” due to restoration work, the words of the great tragic were heard at the ancient theater of Thassos.

The theater, fully restored and reborn, found its “voice” and revealed to hundreds of spectators its imposing form, on the slope of the hill that dominates the 4th century BC.

The ancient theater of Thassos, with unparalleled sea views and the lush forest surrounding 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.

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.

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. “

Important and difficult restoration work

Speaking to RES-EIA, the Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities Stavroula Dadakis emphasized that “the work of the restoration of this monumental theater was probably one of the most difficult technical works implemented in recent years by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kavala – Thassos under the supervision of archaeologist Constantine Panousis.

In fact, the hollow of the theater was dug out of the way In order to restore the damage of the past, to solve static issues, to complete important infrastructures that would ensure its rescue and ultimately contribute to its modern function as a space that can re -host cultural and artistic events. “

One of the most important tasks done was the Recording and identification of 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

The former mayor of the island Costas Hadjiemanouil, who pioneered the restoration of the ancient theater in its original marble form, speaking to RES-EIA, does not hide its joy and emotion, which after so many years the theater opened the first to the public.

“I feel justified,” he said in his statements, “as a long -standing effort 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. ”