The "Ognian Radev" Ancient Theatre won two awards, with a review stating: "Following the tradition of the first pentad, the top five performances: three tragedies, a comedy, and a satyr play, ETHIOPICA by the ’Ognyan Radev’ Ancient Theatre was awarded an additional special prize for ranking among the top five productions! The award was given for the cultural value of the first dramatization of Heliodorus’ plot, the authentically recreated Orphic and ancient traditions that resonate with audiences across all languages and eras."

In addition to the final ranking in the victorious top five, the team of the Ancient Theatre received a jury plaque for their overall performance and original depiction of all cultural symbols, bringing to life the Hellenistic world of Greeks, Ethiopians, Egyptians, Persians, and Phoenicians described by Heliodorus.

Every year, parallel to the festival for youth ancient theatres in memory of Prof. Concetta Olivieri, professional performances are also presented, creating the following rhythm:
- 2 evenings of professional performances
- 1 full day of youth productions on the ancient stage at the Greco-Roman theatre in Catania, followed by another 2 evenings of professionals and a full day of youth performances, and so on for two weeks...

We had the exceptional opportunity to watch *Antigone* by Sophocles and the musical performance of *The Bacchae* by Euripides with music by Tchaikovsky.

We thank everyone involved in creating *ETHIOPICA*:
- Direction: Anastasia Sabeva
- Scenography and costumes: Ina Dobreva and Katya Petrova
- Actor preparation: Ina Dobreva
- Music: Hristo Namliev
- Visual identity, design, and photography: Tsveta Dobreva
- Dramaturgical text: Ina Dobreva and Radoslav Iliev
- Cultural context and organization: Yana Koleva and Radoslav Iliev

Special thanks for the advice, ideas, and support to Associate Professor Nikolay Gochev.

Special thanks also to the National Community Center “Hristo Botev 1917” and Mr. Boyko Pavlov, where we created the performance.

Cast:
- Aleksandra Darzeva, Bozhidar Benchev, Viktoria Yonkova, Georgi Vutov, Elena Vasileva, Emma Emilova, Yoan Zlatanov, Kalina Georgieva, Kalina Doncheva, Kristiana Ivanova, Martin Teofilov, Mila Yontcheva, Nia Borislavova, Preslav Bonchev

The AMENANOS Festival takes place on two main stages in Catania (Italy) and Larissa (Greece), with regular visits to Spain and Cyprus. This forum unites youth and professionals, presenting their work to the residents and guests of the eastern coast of Sicily, the festival’s committee, and the organizing committee, consisting of researchers of ancient drama, directors, actors, set designers, costume designers, composers, archaeologists, art historians, museum workers, and public figures of significant importance to Italy and Europe.

The festival is held under the patronage of the Regional Government of Sicily and the Municipality of Catania.

*ETHIOPICA* is made possible with the support of the National Culture Fund, “Creation” program, as well as the “Mobility” section of the Sofia Culture Program.

We are also grateful to the donors for their support in realizing the project: Desislava Georgieva, Antoaneta Antonova, Iliyana Georgieva, Metodi Zlatanov, Todor Radev.