Iphigenia in the war zone at Ancient Epidaurus

Her life until the final year of high school was solely dedicated to track and field. An athlete specializing in middle-distance running events, she was ready for the Gymnastics Academy. However, a career guidance test changed everything, revealing a talent for theater and dance, despite her limited exposure to performing on stage. "The need to escape from Athens was very strong within me, so I applied to the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki," Anthi Efstratiadou, one of the finest actors of her generation today, tells Kathimerini.

Seventeen years in the theater industry, honored with the Melina Mercouri Theater Award and the Karolos Koun prize, she has tackled significant roles. Her new challenge is "Iphigenia in Aulis" by Euripides, directed by Timofey Kulyabin, which opens this year's Epidaurus Festival on July 5 and 6. This international...