Message of peace through Greek Theatre at SIBF

November 07, 2025 / 6:05 PM

Sharjah 24: Celebrating Greece's rich cultural heritage and its long-standing connection with art, poetry, and philosophy, the Greek Travelling Theatre Troupe presented a theatrical monologue of Philoctetes by the late Greek poet Yiannis Ritsos as part of their Guest of Honour programme at Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2025.

A reflective performance on suffering and resilience

Performed by Kiliaki Vlachogianni, the staging of Philoctetes offered a reflective exploration of suffering, endurance, and the universal desire for peace. While the story is rooted in the Greek myth of a wounded warrior abandoned on an island, the performance connected these themes to modern challenges of survival and resilience.

“This is a play for peace, for love between people; a play that shows what we all need today: peace,” said one of the organisers.

Inspiring the next generation

A defining moment in the act occurred when the performer directly addressed the next generation, urging them to reclaim the glory of their forefathers through courage, empathy, and humility. The message encouraged learning from history while fostering leadership and moral responsibility.

The performance concluded with the renowned wartime song “We’ll Meet Again,” leaving the audience with a sense of hope and reconciliation.

Promoting cultural exchange through theatre

Through this moving performance, the Greek Travelling Theatre Troupe fostered meaningful cultural exchange, demonstrating how literature and theatre can bridge languages, histories, and generations.

The troupe will perform again on November 7 and 8 at SIBF 2025.

SIBF 2025 overview

Held at the Expo Centre Sharjah from November 6 to 17, SIBF 2025 features 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries. The fair offers over 1,200 activities, including more than 300 cultural events and 750 workshops for children and adults, hosted by 251 guests from 66 countries.