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Supported by Onassis Culture, “The Return of Dionysus” by Theodoros Terzopoulos is published in English and Arabic by the German publishing house Theater der Ζeit

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«We need to rethink theater through the art of the actor», writes Theodoros Terzopoulos in his book. Focusing on the body in its first chapter, he reminds us that in a period when so many actors and bodies constantly find themselves under a regime of precarity, «The Return of Dionysus» vindicates the meaning of both terms.

“Τerzopoulos’ theater can be most certainly understood as the closest example we have to the theater of Dionysus.”

—Erika Fischer-Lichte, theater studies specialist

Photo: Ashkal Alwan

This bilingual edition is prefaced by the famous theater studies specialist Erika Fischer Lichte. It consists of twelve theoretical chapters, 40 self-study exercises, an interview of Theodoros Terzopoulos to the writer Torsten Israel, as well as a two-and-a-half hour video about basic training by Savvas Stroumpos, available online on the video platform Vimeo.

The original method of training actors developed by the internationally acclaimed Greek director is taught in 30 universities and research centers across the globe, and has been translated into 10 languages.

“In Terzopoulos theater myth is not a fairytale but a concentrated experience. The process of rehearsal is not the performance of a dramatic theory, but an adventure to the landscape of memory, a search for the lost keys of unity between body and speech, the word as a natural entity."

—Heiner Müller, writer, director
The English and Arabic edition of “The Return of Dionysus” is the most recent collaboration between the Onassis Foundation and the Greek director. Its starting point dates back to the summer of 2018 when the Onassis Foundation supported the international tribute to his work at the European Cultural Center of Delphi and the production of the Trojan Women. Euripides’ anti-war play was performed at the impressive ancient theatre of Delphi; it was live streamed through the digital platforms of the Onassis Foundation, viewed by thousands of spectators across the globe.

"The method of Theodoros Terzopoulos is Socratic: the notion that we all carry the past within us, our ancestors, participating in a collective memory inscribed not just in our minds but also our bodies.”

—Etel Adnan, writer, poet, visual artist
A year later, Theodoros Terzopoulos went to Lebanon with the support of the Onassis Foundation, in the context of the needs of this new edition. The aim of this journey was to introduce him to pioneer artists and cultural institutions of Beirut. It also included his symbolic visit to the temple of Bacchus in the ancient city of Baalbek (Heliopolis).

“The Return of Dionysus” was published in Greek in 2015. Since then, it has been published in Russian, German, Italian, Turkish, Polish, Korean, Mandarin, and Chinese by leading publishing houses, theaters and academies internationally. It is also expected to be published in Portuguese and Spanish by the end of 2020.

“Seeing is seeing a picture true. Many pictures. That is what I still remember clearly with a space to re-remember and think. That is for me what makes your work so special.”

—Robert Wilson, director, visual artist