Roberto Rivera wins inaugural Odiseo y Penélope Classical Theater Prize

Roberto Rivera Solano has won the inaugural Odiseo y Penélope International Classical Theater Prize with his work ‘Heroínas de Troya’. The award was presented by the Mérida International Classical Theater Festival and the Vargas Llosa Chair.

Selected from 123 entries, the winning play was chosen unanimously by a jury. The work uses poetic prose to reinterpret mythical figures from the Trojan War, such as Hecuba, Cassandra, Penelope, and Helen, through a contemporary lens. The jury praised the text for presenting these women as powerful and free individuals rather than mere pawns of war, creating a dialogue between classical myth and modern societal conflicts.

As part of the prize, the Mérida Festival will fully produce and perform ‘Heroínas de Troya’ at the Roman Theater during its 73rd edition in the summer of 2027. Other finalists included ‘Aníbal’ by Florián Recio and ‘De pócimas, alergias y babosas’ by Josu Eguskiza.