On August 20, 2021, while the Greek capital of Athens sweltered under a relentless heatwave, a refreshing breeze of cultural exchange swept through the city. The much-anticipated debut of the play A Journey Through Ancient Greece was staged at the prestigious TRIANON Theatre in downtown Athens, presented by the newly formed Sino-Hellenic Performing Arts Alliance.
Performed entirely in Mandarin by an all-Chinese cast, the production was accompanied by English subtitles, allowing the diverse audience to follow along as they witnessed the captivating story of a famous Chinese internet celebrity’s accidental journey through time. During a sightseeing tour of the Acropolis, the protagonist tumbles through a temporal rift, leading him into the heart of ancient Greece. Along the way, he encounters legendary figures from Greek mythology, including Odysseus from Homer’s The Odyssey, the terrifying Cyclops, and iconic characters from Greek tragedies such as Medea and Antigone. The protagonist even meets the gods, including Prometheus and Plutus, the god of wealth.
In the climactic final scene, the protagonist finds himself as a spectator at a brilliant philosophical debate between three of Greece’s greatest thinkers—Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle—and three sages from ancient China—Confucius, Mencius, and Laozi. Through this enlightening journey, the protagonist discovers new meaning in his life, regaining a sense of purpose that had long been lost, inspired by the shared wisdom of these two ancient civilizations.
Over the course of the two-hour performance, the audience was taken on an emotional rollercoaster, at times erupting in laughter, shedding tears, or pausing for deep reflection. The lighthearted yet thought-provoking atmosphere allowed viewers to appreciate the timeless works of ancient Greek theater while also exploring the shared philosophical values of two of the world’s oldest civilizations.
After the performance, several local Greek audience members were interviewed, and it was heartening to see that despite the language barrier—Mandarin being a challenge for many of them—the overwhelming majority had high praise for the production. They expressed their enjoyment of the play’s humor, depth, and its unique cross-cultural narrative.
The success of the premiere was the result of extensive support from the Chinese Embassy in Greece, the Athens Chinese Cultural Center, and many friends of the Chinese community in Greece. The production team also worked tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of both the performers and the audience, taking strict preventive measures at every stage of rehearsal and performance in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. From selecting a venue that met all safety guidelines to implementing comprehensive health protocols, the team’s dedication made the successful debut of A Journey Through Ancient Greece possible.
As a newly established organization, the Sino-Hellenic Performing Arts Alliance is still in its infancy. However, with the growing number of passionate members and the continuous support from various communities, the Alliance is poised to deliver more outstanding performances in the future. The Alliance aims to enrich the cultural offerings for the Chinese diaspora in Greece and contribute to the ongoing cultural exchanges between China and Greece, especially during the “China-Greece Year of Culture and Tourism.”
We believe that theater has the power to illuminate shared human experiences, allowing us to connect on a profound level and celebrate the beauty of diversity in a way that fosters understanding, empathy, and unity across the globe.
