Mérida Classical Theatre Festival

The Mérida International Classical Theatre Festival is the oldest in Spain of these characteristics and had its beginnings around 1933 with Seneca's play, ” Medea” played by the actress Margarita Xirgu.

The following year, due to the political tension that Spain was experiencing, it was decided that the Festival should be suspended, and it did not recommence until 19 years later, in 1953, with a performance of the play “Fedra” by French playwright Jean Racine, staged by a university company.

It was not until the following year that the stage of the Roman Theatre in Mérida would see the return of professional theatre – led by a young Francisco Rabal, who played “Oedipus” by Sófocles. Since then, the festival has been held every year.

The plays are performed annually in July and August in the arena of the Roman Theatre, making it the oldest theatre in the world to host performances of classical texts.

The festival was in its 65th year in 2019, and receives the cream of the Spanish theatre scene every year.

So if you haven't made plans for a few days of your summer holidays yet, what could be better than Mérida, where the classics come alive in the ancient arena of the Roman Theatre as part of its Classical Theatre Festival.

More information: www.festivaldemerida.es