An unexpected encounter between two cultures deeply rooted in time will take place in the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus on July 24-25. The synergy involves Japan’s Noh Theatre and the Athens & Epidaurus Festival 2015 in the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. Noh is a theatrical art form comprising of drama, music and dance, which emerged in late 14th-century Japan. Designated an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, it is one of the world’s oldest performing arts and the closest to ancient tragedy than any other form in the history of world theatre.

Noh master Gensho Umewaka represents the 17th generation of actor-directors in the company. Together with Greek director Michael Marmarinos, it will stage Nekyia, a theatrical production based on Odyssey’s Book 11, which refers to Odysseus's journey to Hades, the underworld, in order to consult with the soul of the priest and oracle Teiresias on how to return home to Ithaca. In ancient Greek cult-practice and literature, a nekyia was a rite by which ghosts were called up and questioned about the future.