[Antiquitas] Call for papers - Life is a (Greek) Tragedy II: Colloquium 9-10 February 2009, Finnish Institute at Athens

[Sanna-Ilaria Kittelä]

Life is a (Greek) Tragedy II
Colloquium 9-10 February 2009
Colloquium 9-10 February 2009
Finnish Institute at Athens
Zitrou 16


Call for papers


Greek tragedy is performed on stage today more frequently than ever since antiquity. Hence, over 
the past few decades, the attention of scholars has been drawn to the reception of ancient dramas. 
Reception studies offer a new and extremely interesting approach to ancient tragedy, and provide 
the means to consider it from a fresh perspective. The first part of this colloquium was held in 
Helsinki on 10 May 2007. It concentrated on the questions of textual analysis and translation of 
ancient drama, the requirements of dramaturgy in staging ancient drama, as well as on the need for 
collaboration between scholars and theatre professionals. This second colloquium, Life is a (Greek) 
Tragedy II, provides a venue for young scholars of ancient drama to discuss and receive feedback 
on their research. The aim of this colloquium is to examine different aspects of reception of ancient 
drama – in literature, on the stage from ancient times to the present, and in translations.

Papers (c. 20-30 min.) are invited on the following topics (these themes are directive, and the 
subjects of the papers may vary; all papers discussing ancient drama and/or its reception will be 
considered for presentation):

- Reception in antiquity. How did the ancient audience receive the plays? Transition from Greek 
to Roman stage.

- The use and ideological variation of ancient drama in general or in an individual play.

- Translations: translation as a rewriting and recreation of an ancient play. The translator’s role 
as a receiver of the ancient text and creator of a rereading of the play.

- Requirements of dramaturgy. What makes a good dramatization of an ancient drama for 
modern performance?

- Ancient drama on stage: the original performance and modern adaptations. The claim of 
authenticity?

- What makes a performance? The role of the text in a performance of an ancient play: is the text 
a minor factor in the process of creating a performance or a kind of performance itself? The 
creation of the space of performance: social, political, philosophical context.

The colloquium is organised by the Finnish Institute at Athens and the Centre of Excellence of the 
Academy of Finland Ancient Greek Written Sources. Anyone interested in participating and/or 
presenting a paper in the colloquium, please contact us for more information via e-mail by 2 June 
2008. 

With Best Wishes,

Martti Leiwo (martti.leiwo at helsinki.fi) 
Director of the Finnish Institute at Athens		

Sanna-Ilaria Kittelä (sanna.kittela at helsinki.fi) 
Research Assistant