On Saturday, September 6, 2025, under the moist gaze of Styx, in Mesorrougi, Achaia, birthplace of the author of “Golfo” Spyridon Peresiadis (1854–1918), an outstanding event took place on the occasion of the awarding of prizes from the first playwriting competition inspired by Peresiadis’ work, within the framework of the creative spirit of the 2nd Golfo Festival, jointly organized with the Laboratory of Scenic Practice and Speech of the Department of Theatre Studies of the University of Patras, with the support of the Ioannou & Euterpi Topali Foundation.

“The aim of this effort is to highlight contemporary dramaturgy with new theatrical works that will enrich the corpus of modern Greek drama with fresh ideas, new heroes, and characters that will endure through time, just like Peresiadis’ Golfo.”

The Jury, consisting of Yiannis Kalatzopoulos (actor, director), Akis Dimou (playwright), and Lina Rozi (Associate Professor at the Department of Theatre Studies, University of Patras), selected five out of the fifty-five submitted works. The top three will be performed on stage in January 2026 by students of drama schools, while the other two will be presented in staged readings.

AWARDS

1st “Spyridon Peresiadis” Theatrical Award 2025 (shared):

• Lost Sheep in a Foreign Fold — Mavra Kazaki
• Golf-o — Meropi Papastergiou

2nd “Spyridon Peresiadis” Theatrical Award 2025:

• Three on a Wrought Iron Chair — Konstantinos Lakis

Distinctions, “Spyridon Peresiadis” Theatrical Award 2025:

• Helmos 207 — Giannis Asdrachas
• Would You Commit Suicide for Me? — Georgia Stefanopoulou

The award diplomas, printed on authentic Egyptian papyrus, were accompanied by copies of the new edition of Spyridon Peresiadis’ play “Golfo”, published by Idyfono Editions of Aigio, a gift from the association “O Helmos”.