Every year on March 27 falls the day dedicated to one of the most ancient and engaging artistic forms ever invented by man: the theater. For centuries this expression of human genius has inspired the spirit of spectators and brought the creativity of its playwrights to unexpected heights. Today we take this opportunity to reflect on the history, the diversity and the impact that theater has had on culture and our understanding of the world and explore its roots, with an eye to its most atavistic forms and savoring the masterpieces.

THE ORIGINS OF THEATRE

How did the theatre come about? As we mentioned it is an ancient artistic form, whose birth, according to legend, is attributable to Thespis, Greek playwright and actor who came to Athens in the sixth century BC. His figure, although cloaked under certain verses of mysticism, finds some historical evidence dating back to the third century B.C. that place the theatrical activity of this character in the same period of the first Athenian dramatic competitions.

Over the centuries the role of Thespis has increasingly abandoned its historicism favoring a mythical reading of his person, which lead him to be identified as the creator of the tragedy, a role comparable to that of Homer as supreme poet and father of epic song.

The theater is one of the most long-lived socio-cultural activities in history and in times where human and divine were inextricably intertwined, it is not strange opinion if at the origin of everything there are rituals and cults dedicated to a particular deity: Dionysus.

FORMS OF ANCIENT THEATRE

The passions, fantasies and transformations that imbued the cults and mysteries of Dionysus, made him the perfect patron of this fundamental aspect in the life of the ancients. In particular, the most ancient forms of theatrical representations have roots in dithyrambi, particular choral compositions dedicated to the god where poetry, lyric and dance are combined, from which originated according to Aristotle the highest theatrical form ever created: tragedy.

The tragedy (which literally means "song for the goat") was represented on certain religious occasions dedicated to Dionysus: the Great and Small Dionysians. Among the greatest exponents of the Greek tragedy are Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, whose works were characterized by a series of episodes interspersed with choirs, which together constituted the tragic action of the drama and were preceded by a prologue.

Another theatrical form was the comedy, born a few decades after the tragedy, which Aristotle linked to the phallic songs that followed the Dionysian processions. The plays were performed on the occasion of the Lenee (dedicated to Dionysus Leneus, adored by the Maenads) and the Great Dionysias and saw comic poets competing with each other with one or two pieces each. Our knowledge of ancient comedy is mainly due to the works of Aristophanes, although the oldest authors were Epicenter, who composed about forty works, Chionides and Magnetus.

THE PLACES OF THE PERFORMANCES

To admire the places where these works came to life it is not necessary to go to Athens. Just stop in the territories of Sicily, once part of Magna Grecia, and let yourself be carried away in reality full of charm that still today, despite the centuries, exude air of majesty. Magna Graecia housed many ancient theatres that were the fulcrum of cultural and social life. These include the Greek Theatre of Neapolis in Syracuse and the Ancient Theatre in Taormina.

Carved in the rock of the Temenite hill, the ancient Theatre of Syracuse has a huge cavea, with 67 orders of steps. A majestic building that still inspires admiration and respect - to mention the travelers of the Grand Tour - and that in its golden age called great playwrights of the time as Aeschylus, who staged here "The Persians" and "The Ethnos". Once on the steps let yourself be carried away by the echo of the representations that seems to permeate the space, close your eyes and breathe in the history that exudes from this imperishable structure, you will feel like you are back in the past! And if you want to attend a show, remember that in the summer there are still theatrical performances from ancient dramas.

The Ancient Theatre of Taormina, located on a hill overlooking Mount Etna, offers breathtaking scenery and continues to be a popular tourist attraction. Set in the rock, this architectural jewel fits perfectly into the surrounding environment, as if he were himself a product of nature. Built at the behest of the wife of Ierone II Filistide in the third century. BC, with its size, view and location is really a place of unparalleled beauty! Imagine visiting on a quiet summer evening.

The sounds of the wind mix with the scent of the sea, the imposing silhouette of Etna stands out in the background, and the colors of the sunset are mixed in a carousel of orange, pink and red that dye new shades of its ancient stones, in a breathtaking view. Here where art, culture and nature mix you will certainly live an experience that will leave you speechless!

SOME EXAMPLES

Among the most famous examples of ancient comedies we cannot fail to mention the "Lysistrata" of Aristophanes, a brilliant satire on war and politics, with a female protagonist who organizes a sex strike to force men to end the conflicts that inflamed the Peloponnese. Although the author’s intention was certainly not to promote female autonomy, as much as to represent an inverted world, it is nevertheless the oldest example of female emancipation ever documented, with women of different backgrounds and cities uniting with a common purpose.

Greek tragedies profoundly influenced western fiction and theatre. Two iconic examples are Oedipus King of Sophocles and Medea of Euripides. The first explores the themes of fate and guilt through the story of a man who tries to escape his tragic prophecy, while the Medea of Euripides distances itself from others in that for the first time he chooses to focus on the period of Corinth, with a deep analysis of the motivations behind the inhuman act of which the protagonist is stained - the killing of the children - accusing not only Medea, but the same Jason, guilty of having abandoned her for a younger wife.

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Treasuring what our ancestors created, we can only appreciate the opportunity that the World Theatre Day offers us to celebrate not only the ancient and classical forms of theatre, but also its continuous evolution and relevance in contemporary society. Through theatre, we can explore the depths of human experience and connect with the emotions and stories that make us human, reminding us of the importance and beauty of an art that has stood the test of time. From the ancient theatres of Magna Grecia to the modern theatrical productions, the theatre continues to be a mirror of our humanity. Celebrating theatre means celebrating human creativity, the ability to tell stories and stage experiences that unite us as a community.