University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa classicist Robert Littman and award-winning poet Ruth Fainlight returned the Sophocles’ classic tragedy Antigone to Athens, Greece. Littman and Fainlight collaborated to produce a skillful and faithful translation of Antigone through music and verse. Their production was performed at the National Archaelogical Museum in celebration of International Museum Day.
Their partnership resulted in a critically-acclaimed interpretation of Antigone, in which the title character tries to secure a respectable burial for her brother Polyneices, even though he is seen as a traitor to Thebes. The law forbids even mourning for Polyneices, which is punishable by death.
Pemy Zouni, a beloved Greek actress, recited parts of Antigone in Modern Greek, while Athens native Nikos Mertzanos sang parts in English.