{
  "id": 344689,
  "title": "As the world rediscovers ‘The Odyssey,’ disabled actors in Greece explore the pain of war",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/as-the-world-rediscovers-the-odyssey-disabled-actors-in-greece",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-09T04:23:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/greece-ancient-theater-accessibility-odyssey-homer-353553292cf006c6e734978dfe9e931c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Greece, a troupe of performers with and without disabilities are bringing a fresh perspective to the ancient tale of war and suffering. Their production of Euripides' \"The Trojan Women,\" staged at the historic Epidaurus Theater, marks a groundbreaking moment in the theater's 2,300-year history. This is the first time the ancient amphitheater has offered full accessibility for all attendees.\n\nThe performance, which will take place on August 2, features 22 actors, including wheelchair dancer Eirini Kourouvani. Kourouvani, a 58-year-old performer, had never experienced the theater before. She described the experience as \"grand\" and \"my heart opening up as wide as this theater is.\"\n\nThe play, written centuries after Homer's epic, focuses on the women left behind after the fall of Troy. Their stories of exile, enslavement, and hardship were brought to life with a fully accessible performance. Blind audience members received Braille programs and tactile models, while deaf spectators followed along with overhead titles.\n\nThe event's accessibility services were praised by Paralympic gold medalist Greg Polychronidis, who attended the performance. He emphasized that it was the first time such a production had been made accessible to everyone. Kourouvani's presence on the ancient stage served as a powerful message, amplifying the voices of those often overlooked in history.",
  "summary": "EPIDAURUS, Greece (AP) — As Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey”…",
  "key_points": [
    "Wheelchair dancer Eirini Kourouvani, 58, experiences theater for first time, describes it as grand",
    "Accessibility services praised by Paralympic gold medalist Greg Polychronidis"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This inclusive production at the historic Epidaurus Theater sets a new standard for accessibility in Greek theater, allowing a wider audience to engage with ancient stories and amplifying underrepresented voices.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/344689.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "As the world rediscovers ‘The Odyssey,’ disabled actors in Greece explore the pain of war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/as-the-world-rediscovers-the-odyssey-disabled-actors-in-greece-346960",
        "published": "2026-08-09T04:10:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "As world rediscovers 'The Odyssey,' disabled actors in Greece explore pain of war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/as-world-rediscovers-the-odyssey-disabled-actors-in-greece-explore",
        "published": "2026-08-09T05:32:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}