On Monday, July 28th at 9 PM, the Small Roman Theatre in Pula will host the play “Antigone – 2000 Years Later”, a co-production by Ulysses Theatre and MESS Sarajevo (International Theatre Festival MESS), directed by Lenka Udovički.

As part of the Pula Cultural Summer, this contemporary interpretation of Sophocles’ classic tragedy delves into timeless questions about the conflict between personal conscience and state law, placing them in the context of today’s society. Central questions posed by the play include: “What is the difference between law and justice?” and “Who determines the line between anarchy and totalitarianism?”

Antigone, a heroine from the dawn of European civilization, loves both of her brothers with equal passion—one who fought on the “right” side and the other who died fighting for the “wrong” side.

“A modern family, whose story was developed from authentic documents, seeks to bury their son killed in the most recent war, despite the bureaucratic and other absurdities that accompany such a quest. Both families are searching for their small piece of justice, hoping for some sense of closure. Ancient tragedies, like our own lives, are born from a reality drenched in blood and crime, in noise and chaos… This kind of manipulation—of power, of the masses, of public opinion—where lies are the norm and every critical thought is deemed treacherous and hostile, is especially relevant here in the Balkans,” reads the description on the Ulysses Theatre’s website.

“Antigone – 2000 Years Later” presents two powerful parallel stories, demonstrating that the world, even after 2000 years, has not changed—wars continue to claim lives, families suffer, and the question of who is on the right or wrong side remains as relevant as ever.

Cast:

• Antigone, daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta – Maja Izetbegović

• Ismene, Antigone’s sister – Dženana Džanić

• Creon, ruler of Thebes, Jocasta’s brother, uncle to Antigone and Ismene – Rade Šerbedžija

• Haemon, Creon’s son and Antigone’s fiancé – Ermin Bravo

• Tiresias, the blind prophet – Damir Urban

• Eurydice, Haemon’s mother – Katarina Bistrović-Darvaš

• Chorus Leader – Jelena Lopatić

• Boy – Vedad Suljagić

The play premiered on August 15th, 2015 at Fort Minor on Mali Brijun, as part of Ulysses Theatre’s 15th season.