test ΞΕΝΟΙ ΘΙΑΣΟΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΟΘΩΜΑΝΙΚΗ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ, 1870-1912 [FOREIGN THEATRE COMPANIES IN OTTOMAN THESSALONIKI, 1870–1912]|ΠΑΡΑΒΑΣΙΣ/PARABASIS

ΞΕΝΟΙ ΘΙΑΣΟΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΟΘΩΜΑΝΙΚΗ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ, 1870-1912 [FOREIGN THEATRE COMPANIES IN OTTOMAN THESSALONIKI, 1870–1912]

Εξώφυλλο Παράβασις Τόμ. 20 / Cover Parabasis Vol. 20
PDF25 (ελληνικά)
Published: Nov 24, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681//.43312
Olivia Pallikari
Abstract

This article examines the activities of foreign touring theatre companies in Ottoman Thessaloniki between 1870 and 1912. This period is significant for two reasons: it represents a largely unexplored chapter in the city’s theatrical history and marks the beginning of a systematic theatrical movement from 1870 onwards. The study concludes in 1912, the year Thessaloniki was incorporated into the modern Greek state, when performances by foreign companies declined due to political changes. The article aims to outline the conditions under which foreign performances were staged and identify the factors that made Thessaloniki a key stop for touring troupes. Additionally, it seeks to provide a detailed account of the diverse ethnic companies that performed in the city's theatres, examining their theatrical selections and repertoire. This comprehensive analysis offers a broader understanding of the theatrical landscape presented by foreign companies in Ottoman Thessaloniki.

Article Details
  • Section
  • Μελέτες / Studies
Author Biography
Olivia Pallikari

Olivia Pallikari holds a PhD from the Department of Theatre Studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). She has completed the Postgraduate Programme (Master's Degree) of the Department of Theatre Studies NKUA. She also holds a Bachelor's degree from the Department of German Language and Literature NKUA. She has participated in conferences with the following presentations [in Greek]: «The Reception of Lessing's Theatrical Work in Greece» at the Scientific Conference From the Land of Texts to the Kingdom of the Stage (26-30/1/2011); «The Courtyard of Miracles (I Avli ton Thavmaton): From the Art Theatre Stage to the Megaron Mousikis» at the Young Researchers' Scientific Conference Iakovos Kampanellis in the 21st Century (29/9/2022-2/10/2022); «Greek Theatre in the Greek- and French-Language Newspapers of Thessaloniki 1875-1922» at the Scientific Conference The Greek Theatrical Print from the 19th to the 21st Century (17-19/1/2019); «The Press as a Source of Knowledge and a Tool for Shaping the Theatrical History of Thessaloniki from the Mid-19th Century to 1916» at the Anniversary Conference for the 20 Years of the Postgraduate Programme Research Sources in Contemporary Greek Theatre Studies (27-29/4/2017); «Theatre in Thessaloniki from the Early 19th Century to 1916" at the Scientific Meeting of Postgraduate Students, PhD Candidates, and PhD Holders World Theatre: Practice-Dramaturgy-Theory (April 2017); «Amateur and Professional Theatre in Turkish-Occupied Thessaloniki as a Reflection of its Multicultural Identity and Different Perspectives on its Future» at the International Historical Conference Thessaloniki: A City in Transition 1912-2012 (18-21 October 2012). The latter presentation («Amateur and Professional Theatre...») is also published in: Dimitris Keridis (ed.), Thessaloniki: A City in Transition 1912-2012, Epikentro, Thessaloniki 2015 (Greek), and Dimitris Keridis – John Kiesling (eds.), Thessaloniki A City in Transition 1912-2012, Routledge Studies in Modern European History, Routledge, London 2020. (English) She has collaborated with professional and amateur theatre companies on programme editing (dramaturgy/curation). From 2006 to 2011, she published a series of articles in the newspaper Apogevmatini tis Kyriakis (Sunday Afternoon) on contemporary Greek and international theatre.