International Theater Festival in Latin and Ancient Greek
THIRD EDITION
MARE SOMNIORVM
ΟΝΕΙΡΑΤΩΝ ΠΕΛΑΓΟΣ
Braga, 1-8 August, 2026
Thalia (Theatri Artisque Ludicrae Iuges Agones) is an international event dedicated to theatre in Latin and Ancient Greek, which every two years brings together hundreds of scholars and enthusiasts of the classical languages.
Now in its third edition, following the success of Vicenza (Thalia 2022) and Vilnius (Thalia 2024), this year THALIA will take place in Portugal, in Braga — the ancient Bracara Augusta — a millennia-old city where the traces left by the many civilizations it hosted are still visible today, from the Gallaecian and Roman to the Arab and Portuguese.
During the festival, audiences will be able to attend eight performances in Latin and four in Ancient Greek, featuring original works centered on the theme “The Sea of Dreams” (Mare somniorum, Ὀνειράτων πέλαγος). The companies, coming from various countries (Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and the United States), will compete for several awards, each dedicated to specific aspects of performance and playwriting, but above all for the top prizes: the Corona aurea for the best performance in Latin and the Χρυσοῦς στέφανος for the best performance in Ancient Greek. All performances will be surtitled in English or Portuguese. The companies will perform in the beautiful Teatro Circo of Braga.
In addition to the performances, each morning lectures in Latin and Ancient Greek will be offered, focusing on various aspects of ancient, Byzantine, and Renaissance culture, with particular attention to theatre and to the festival’s theme.
THE PERFORMANCES
he performances will take place in the afternoons from 2 to 8 August. The awards ceremony will be held on the evening of Saturday, 8 August.
- Opening performance of the Festival, based on a comedy by Aristophanes
Performances in competition (listed in alphabetical order, not in order of appearance):
- Adelphae, theatre company “Societas Latina” (USA), LAT
- Ἑαυτὸν τιμωρούμενος, theatre company “Μοῦσα μοι ἔννεπε” (Lithuania) GR
- Fur amor, theatre company “Theatrum classicum vilnense” (Lithuania), LAT
- Luciolus sive progressus curiosi, theatre company “Laelius d.a.”(USA- Italy), LAT
- Λωτὸς κατὰ κύματα, theatre company “Olive a parte” (Italy), GR
- Ὄναρ Ἰωνᾶ, theatre company “Θεομανεῖς Χῆνες” (Poland) GR
- Palinurus, theatre company “Palinuridae” (Belgium), LAT
- Phaedra, theatre company “Κατολοφύρομαι” (Italy), LAT
- Somnium Emmae, theatre company S.I.A.C. (Italy-France), LAT
- Somnium Metellae, theatre company “Ad Hoc” (Poland-Germany), LAT
- Somnii Portae, theatre company “CLIO in fabula” (France), LAT
- Τέλος δὲ ἀποθνῄσκουσιν, theatre company “Ψευδοχορός” (Belgium) GR
The order of the performances will be determined according to technical requirements and the availability of the theatre.
LESSONS
The lectures will take place from 2 to 8 August in the morning and will focus primarily on topics related to the theme of Thalia’s third edition.
GUIDED TOURS
Guided tours in Latin of Braga’s historic centre and of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte are included in the registration fee, featuring the reading of inscriptions and language exercises.
The detailed programme of performances and lectures will be provided shortly.
Santuario do Bom Jesus
Braga’s Cathedral
Palacio do Raio
