The Foundation of the Hellenic World presents the classic masterpiece «Anna Karenina» by Leo Tolstoy during the 2026-2027 season at the "Theatron" of the "Hellenic Cosmos" Cultural Centre.
Director Petros Zoulia, following the great success of «The Great Circus of Ours» by Iakovos Kambanellis, undertakes a contemporary adaptation and stage version of «Anna Karenina». This is an ambitious large-scale production that will be presented under his direction. The music is composed by Stefanos Korkolis.
The title role of the iconic heroine of world literature will be played by Lena Papaligoura. Giannis Tsortekis will play her husband, Karenin. 
Tolstoy's work has been considered by many (such as Dostoevsky, Faulkner, etc.) to be the greatest novel of all time. Anna Karenina, an epic, universal story encompassing all the themes of life and death, belongs to the pinnacle of literary realism and continues to inspire the love and emotion of millions of people around the world. 
A few words about the play
Anna Karenina takes us to aristocratic Russia in the 19th century, at a time when social inequalities, conventions and prejudices prevail. During a short journey to Moscow, in order to ease tensions and resolve her brother's marital problems, an unexpected encounter will change her entire life.
The charming Count Alexei Vronsky, her niece's future fiancé, will become the catalyst for awakening feelings within her that she had never dared to express. Despite her marriage to the strict and cold official Karenin, Anna is swept into a stormy love affair with Vronsky, defying social conventions and her position in high society. Seeking the meaning of life and personal happiness, she is confronted with various conflicts: with conventional life, illicit love, but also with the consequences of her choices. Her husband, wishing to avoid a social scandal, refuses to grant her a divorce, even when he learns that she is pregnant and has a child with Vronsky.
Society, as the merciless judge of the era, gradually drives the heroine towards social isolation. At the same time, her husband's rigid attitude, as well as her suspicions that Vronsky may be unfaithful to her, contribute decisively to her psychological and inner breakdown.
Through the tragic journey of Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy explores themes such as family ties, love, death, jealousy, and the social demands of the era. At the same time, he poses a timeless moral dilemma: is it better to regret something you did or something you did not dare to do?
