The National Theatre of Northern Greece holds the 1st Theatre Festival of South-Eastern Europe in Thessaloniki from June 14th to July 13th 2007. Following the success of the Artistic Managers Meeting with representatives of great theatre organizations around Europe, which was held upon the initiative of the NTNG in Thessaloniki in April 2006 and has paved the way for the development of communication and creative cooperation among the theatres of SE Europe, the 1st Festival of SE European Theatres is held this year focusing on ancient drama, under the title 'Ancient Drama Perspectives'. The ancient Greek dramaturgy with its universal character and range has opened a field of research, creative expression and fertile dialogue on political, social and existential issues for the countries of South Eastern Europe which have been severely tested in their recent history. Eight theatre organizations from eight countries are presenting performances of ancient Greek plays, as well as more modern ones inspired by myths that ancient drama employs, with the special participation of Katona Jozsef theatre of Hungary, that returns to Thessaloniki with a performance of Euripides Medea, directed by its artistic director, Gabor Zsambeki.