Latest news with #Sophocles
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Antigone was right. UCSB needs to return its tribal remains.
Robin Satori is an English PhD student at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Last month at the University of California at Santa Barbara, a student theater troupe, the Public Domain Players, staged Sophocles's 'Antigone' — the story of a young woman who defies the edicts of a tyrannical ruler to honor her brother with a proper burial. The play reverberated eerily on campus, where a similar burial clash is playing out.
Times
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The historic Italian city packed with culture — and the hottest tickets in town
As dusk falls over Sicily, two siblings embrace. She is convulsed by emotion; she thought he was dead. He holds her as she falls to the floor. It's a moment of intense intimacy and fierce privacy — or was, until the air swells with applause. There are 5,000 people watching them, sitting where, nearly 2,500 years ago, their ancestors might have perched to watch this sibling drama play out in the ancient Greek Theatre of Syracuse, southeastern Sicily's cultural centre. And nearly all of them are clapping. This is a relationship that has transfixed people for two millennia. She is Electra, he is Orestes. Their dad was murdered; they will take revenge on their guilty mum and stepdad, but not before Electra has lamented her fate with Hamlet-style soliloquies. Sophocles wrote Electra in about 420BC. Back then drama was for the people — literally 'hoi polloi' — who piled into theatres across Greece and its growing diaspora to watch tragedies and comedies that tied them to their roots. Today, watching Greek drama is an elite cultural event, says Daniele Pitteri — except for here in Syracuse, where, each year, today's hoi polloi descend on the archaeological park behind the city centre to watch ancient Greek drama in an ancient Greek theatre; one where Plato once saw a show, and for which Aeschylus wrote a tragedy. Pitteri is the superintendent of the Istituto Nazionale del Dramma Antico (INDA), or the National Institute of Classical Drama. It was founded in 1913 by Mario Tommaso Gargallo, a local aristocrat who wanted to stage ancient Greek works in this, the world's oldest theatre outside Greece. At the time it was a bizarre proposition. The theatre hadn't been used in centuries; its former Spanish rulers had used it as a quarry and a milling area. The only tragedies involved the workers and donkeys who laboured here. But Gargallo liked the idea of performing ancient plays in their original location. A century on, INDA's annual summer of Greek drama draws theatre lovers from across the globe. The quality is top-notch — the actors are Italian stage stars, the directors from top national and international theatres — but what makes it special is that link with hoi polloi: theatre for everyone, as it was in Sophocles' day. For my two nights of tragedy, the audience was as Sicilian as an Etna rosso wine. 'Here she is!' my neighbour hissed when Electra first emerged. A café owner reportedly refused to charge the season's other star for coffee with the immortal words: 'In my bar Oedipus drinks for free.' Running from May to July, INDA produces both tragedies and comedies — this year Electra and Oedipus at Colonus (both Sophocles) have been joined by Aristophanes' Lysistrata. It's all in Italian but English scripts are available (swerve the simultaneous translation — it's a discombobulating AI voice), and you should try to sit in the lower tiers. Of course Syracuse is one big cultural performance in itself, but not yet as touristy as Taormina, 75 miles up the coast. By day the theatre is part of the Neapolis Archaeological Park (£12; Time compresses here; the theatre itself is a gumbo of Greek and Roman repairs; Caravaggio visited the classical prisons in 1608. In situ until October, monumental sculptures — think a fallen Icarus — by the 20th-century Polish artist Igor Mitoraj remind us of the fragility of man, exactly as Sophocles did 2,400 years ago. • 17 of the best hotels in Sicily for 2025 You can thank the ancient Corinthians for Syracuse's Greek heritage. In 734BC they colonised the island of Ortigia, hovering just off Sicily's mainland, 60 miles south of Mount Etna. The subsequent influx of cultures — Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, Normans, Spanish, Italians — layered Ortigia as neatly as a Sicilian parmigiana. Syracuse's cathedral was originally a Greek temple, its chapels wedged between Doric columns, its open colonnades filled in by the Byzantines and its façade all frothy baroque. It's a place so heavily holy that not even sitting next to Whoopi Goldberg at Mass once could distract me (£2; Outside in the piazza, stairs lead down to subterranean Greek aqueducts that were rejigged by the fascists into Second World War air-raid shelters (donation requested). There are more Greek tunnels turned shelters (including graffiti showing British and German bombers) below the church of San Filippo Apostolo, which probably replaced Ortigia's synagogue after Sicily's Spanish rulers expelled the Jews in 1492 (£5; @giudeccasotteranea). Down an alley, wallowing 18m underground, is the 6th-century mikveh, or ritual Jewish baths, sculpted from a Greek cistern by a community that had arrived in Syracuse 300 years earlier. There's early Christian history too. St Paul is said to have preached by the frescoed San Giovanni catacombs (£12; while St Lucy is said to have been martyred in AD304 where the church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro now stands. There are catacombs below (£9; but here it's best to whirl forward 1,300 years to 1608, when an on-the-run Caravaggio sheltered in Syracuse. His bleak, catacomb-set painting The Burial of St Lucy still hangs behind the altar (free; Again, time concertinas as people in jeans and T-shirts stop to pray in front of it, as they have for 417 years. The modern era calls — and not just the shopping mall by the Greek necropolis. Erected between 1966 and 1994, the Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime is a church that looks like a spaceship. Syracuse's fanciest hotel, the Ortea Palace, is a telegram from 1920, built as the city's behemoth post office in proto-fascist style; today it offers guests calligraphy lessons and dresses its bar with leaves of locally grown papyrus. As for the coastal path around Ortigia, which offers views of Etna on clear days, that's timeless. Ciauru Anticu is my favourite restaurant. Here, the chef Daniele Genovese brings out the best of Sicilian ingredients with his simple dishes, not least a world-class garlic-roasted bream (mains from £16; @ciauruanticuortigiarestaurant). It was Teresa Grande, his maître d', who persuaded me back in March that I could no longer postpone a trip to the theatre; she's gone every year since she was 16. When I returned last month, she brought intel as well as bream. 'People are crying,' she whispered about Oedipus at Colonus. The next night, tears rolled down 5,000 cheeks — including mine — as, offstage, Oedipus died. Later I saw the actor striding into a restaurant for dinner. I would have offered him a coffee, but I knew hoi polloi had that covered. This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue Julia Buckley was a guest of the Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection, which has B&B doubles from £256 ( Fly to Catania. The theatre season ends on July 6; one-off music and dance performance on July 17; tickets for 2026 (featuring Sophocles's Antigone, Aeschylus's The Persians and Euripides's Alcestis) go on sale in October (from £21; The north slopes of Etna are fast becoming one of Italy's most exciting wine regions and one of the loveliest vineyards is the family-owned Cottanera. In 2023 the Cambria family turned their own vineyard villa into a 13-room retreat — four rooms in the main villa and nine in the farm buildings next door. Surrounded by vines — bedrooms overlook lines of nerello mascalese grapes — it's a place of heavy peace. Aperitivo hour means glasses of home-brewed flaming Etna rosso and home-cooked food by the chef Paola, while daytimes are for the infinity pool melting into the vines, and tastings at Cottanera HQ, further up the B&B doubles from £179 ( Clifftop Taormina has been blighted by its own beauty in recent years — the town is frighteningly full. That's where Mazzarò comes in. The beach resort town at the foot of Taormina is full of seafront hotels, including this offbeat five-star, sculpted from the cliff itself, which debuted in the 1960s as an Atlantis-themed resort. Rooms have been modernised but some things stay the same: the cave-like corridors, balconies hoisted over the blue and direct access to the twinkling sea. Three minutes' walk away is a cable car whisking you up to B&B doubles from £343 ( Who knew life on a volcano was so delightful? Up here, on Etna's eastern flank, you're between the sea, sparkling in the distance, and the mountain, which rumbles overhead. But you're in your own, 25-hectare Eden here — a biodynamic farm and vineyard with Relais & Châteaux bungalows set discreetly along terraces, sunloungers under olive and fruit trees, and bees buzzing overhead as you slop into your private plunge pool or swim in the main garden pool. Talk about la dolce B&B doubles from £516 ( to Catania
Spectator
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
A cremation caper: Stealing Dad, by Sofka Zinovieff, reviewed
Sophocles's Antigone is a battle over the burial of a body and the war between law and divinity. What rules – the decree of a king or conscience? This is the crux of Sofka Zinovieff's Stealing Dad. When Alekos, a Greek sculptor, is struck down in 2018 by a heart attack and drowns in a London canal, he leaves behind not just a spiky widow, Heather, but seven children and five colourful ex-wives.
Hans India
01-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Happy Labour Day 2025: Wishes, Quotes & Messages to Honour Workers Worldwide
International Labour Day, also known as May Day or Workers' Day, is celebrated annually on May 1. In 2025, the occasion falls on a Thursday. This global observance is a tribute to the dedication, perseverance, and efforts of workers across all professions. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for labour rights and fair treatment. Labour Day highlights the vital role of the working class in building economies and shaping societies. It is a day to both celebrate their contributions and advocate for their rights. History and Significance of Labour Day The roots of International Labour Day trace back to the labour movement of the late 19th century in the United States. On May 1, 1886, a strike advocating for an eight-hour workday began, marking a historic push for workers' rights. This movement laid the foundation for today's global recognition of labourers. Labour Day symbolizes the balance between work and personal life and underscores the importance of dignity in labour. It is also a day for rallies, peaceful protests, and community events to raise awareness about labour issues. Best Labour Day 2025 Wishes and Greetings • Wishing you a Happy Labour Day! Your hard work and dedication deserve all the recognition and appreciation today and every day. • May you enjoy a well-earned break this Labour Day. Your commitment and resilience are truly inspiring. • Happy May Day! Celebrating the vital contributions of workers around the world—your efforts matter more than words can express. • On this day, may your dedication lead to even greater success and fulfilment. Happy International Labour Day! • Warm wishes on May Day! Your persistence and passion fuel progress—thank you for everything you do. • Enjoy this special day as a token of appreciation for all your efforts. You make a real difference. • Take pride in the value you bring to the world through your hard work. Happy Labour Day! • Here's to all the workers who make our world better every day. Wishing you a joyful Labour Day! • May this Labour Day rejuvenate your spirit and energize your journey ahead. • On this occasion, let's celebrate the real heroes—our workers! Wishing you happiness, rest, and gratitude today. Inspirational Labour Day Quotes to Share • 'All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.' – Martin Luther King Jr. • 'Without labour, nothing prospers.' – Sophocles • 'Work is not man's punishment. It is his reward and his strength and his pleasure.' – George Sand • 'Each year, Labor Day gives us an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions that working men and women make to our nation.' – Tom Perez • 'Labour Day is seen as a day of rest for many hardworking Americans.' – James P. Hoffa • 'For working people and union members, Labor Day stands for something special and profound.' – Randi Weingarten • 'As we celebrate Labor Day, we honour the men and women who fought tirelessly for workers' rights.' – Elizabeth Esty • 'All workers contribute to the success of society. This day is about celebrating every hand that builds, heals, and serves.' ________________________________________ WhatsApp and Facebook Status for Labour Day 2025 • Happy Labour Day! A day to honour those who work hard every single day to keep the world running. • Today we celebrate the creators, the builders, the doers—our workers. Thank you for your tireless efforts. • Labour Day is more than a holiday—it's a tribute to every hardworking soul making a difference. • Saluting those who labour with pride, persistence, and purpose. Happy Workers' Day! • Wishing all workers a peaceful and joyful May Day. Your contributions make the world a better place. • May this Labour Day remind us all that every job holds value and dignity. Thank you for your service. • A shout-out to the workforce that powers our lives with unseen dedication. Your efforts are appreciated every day. • This May Day, let's pledge to support fair treatment and justice for all workers across the globe. • Celebrate the worker in you and others. Rest well and recharge—Happy Labour Day 2025! • Behind every achievement is the silent strength of workers. Today, we thank and honour them.
News18
01-05-2025
- General
- News18
International Labour Day 2025: Wishes, Quotes, Messages, And WhatsApp Status To Share On May 1
Last Updated: International Labour Day 2025: The day is celebrated to honour the workers who fought for their rights, including better working conditions and fairer working hours. International Labour Day 2025: Also known as International Workers Day observed annually on May 1. The day is celebrated to honour the workers who fought for their rights, including better working conditions and fairer working hours. Labour Day also serves as a platform for the working-class people to voice their demands for fair wages and reminds the government and society of the importance of protecting workers' rights and improving workplace conditions. On this International Labour Day, share these Wishes, Quotes, Messages, and WhatsApp Statuses with the hardworking people. International Labour Day 2025: Wishes Happy International Labour Day! You encourage us every day to dream of a better future. Today, we celebrate your struggle, contribution, and passion that keeps the world moving forward. Happy May Day! Your hard work and dedication are commendable. Cheers to all the workers. Here's to the workers who build the world with their hands. Happy International Labour Day! Your hard work deserves recognition every day. Enjoy your May Day! International Labour Day: Quotes 'All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence." – Martin Luther King Jr. 'Without labour, nothing prospers." – Sophocles. 'Work is no disgrace; the disgrace is idleness." – Greek proverb. 'Before the reward there must be labour. You plant before you harvest. You sow in tears before you reap joy." – Ralph Ransom. 'There is no substitute for hard work." – Thomas Edison. International Labour Day: Messages Labour Day reminds us that every worker has a role in making this world a better place. Happy International Workers' Day! Let's honour all the hardworking people of the world. Happy Labour Day! Your hard work and dedication deserve appreciation every day. Wishing you a Happy International Workers' Day! The future belongs to those who have a passion for hard work—saluting your spirit on Labour Day. May every worker get a healthy work environment. Happy May Day! International Labour Day: WhatsApp Status Hard work is the way to success. Happy May Day! Every worker deserves respect and dignity. Wishing a proud Labour Day to all! To every worker, a joyous May Day! A big shout out to your struggle, hard work, and dedication. Let's celebrate the achievements of the workers. Happy May Day! The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: Latest News International Labour Day 2025: Wishes, Quotes, Messages, And WhatsApp Status To Share On May 1 Lifestyle Lifestyle Why May 1 Is Celebrated As Maharashtra Day And Gujarat Day? History, Significance, And Wishes to Share Cricket IPL 2025, RR Vs MI : Head-To-Head Stats, Probable XIs, Players To Watch, Weather Forecast & Jaipur Pitch Report Movies Kavita Krishnamurthy On Pakistani Artists Ban In India: 'Music Has No Religion' Movies Priyanka Chopra Calls WAVES 2025 'Historic', Thanks PM Modi For Industry Support latest news
