There were several factors behind the idea of establishing a Classical Theatre Festival. For starters, there is the acknowledgement that classical culture has generated intrinsic values of great relevance, values which form the basis of the living and feeling of the modern man. But there is also [...] the notion that theatre had an important role in transmitting Graeco-Roman ideals, themes, and myths, all of which are part of modern culture; which continue being used by contemporary authors to express longings, concerns, experiences. [José Ribeiro Ferreira]
The first edition of the International Classical Theatre Festival goes back to 1999, having become a cultural association in 2002. Promoting theatre and performing arts is the main goal of this ambitious project. Over the years, FESTEA has established itself as an artistic meeting point between the Graeco-Roman theatrical legacy and its rewriting in the contemporary world. Within the activities of knowledge transfer of the Centre for Classical and Humanistic Studies of the University of Coimbra, FESTEA is an indispensable event for the cultural agenda of the city of Coimbra, as well as those of other cultural facilities within the city and the region. With its aim of reaching new audiences and unlocking new perspectives regarding classical theatre, the International Classical Theatre Festival cooperates closely with such entities on cultural matters. In this sense, FESTEA is distinguished by the transversality of its proposals and by the social commitment that marks its intervention in the public space – be it physical or symbolic – having as its mission the promotion of the arts, civic-mindedness, and quality of life.