The masterpiece of romantic literature by Victor Hugo,
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” comes to life
at the Theatron of the «Hellenic Cosmos» Cultural Centre,
in a theatrical adaptation and direction by Konstantina Nikolaidi
together with a cast of 20 outstanding actors!
The new production of the Foundation of the Hellenic World
The Foundation of the Hellenic World, with a tradition of grand productions (based on the great works of world literature), presents for the 2025-2026 theatrical season the classic novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” at the Theatron of the «Hellenic Cosmos» Cultural Centre. After the huge success of “Les Misérables” for two consecutive years, Konstantina Nikolaidi takes on the direction of another popular masterpiece by the great French writer.
In medieval Paris, an adventurous story unfolds centered around the imposing Cathedral of Notre Dame. The main characters are Quasimodo, the deformed but kind-hearted bell-ringer of Notre Dame, who lives isolated high in the belfry with only the gargoyle statues of the church as his companions; the gypsy Esmeralda, who enchants with her beauty, moves with the purity of her soul, and always has her beloved goat by her side; and the dark archdeacon Frollo, who, driven by his passion for Esmeralda, strays from the path of God and becomes dangerous. Also with them are the persecuted gypsies of Paris with their leader, the romantic poet and philosopher Grégoire, Captain Phoebus with his guard, the kind priest of the church, a tragic and mysterious woman, and of course the citizens of Paris. They all live in a harsh, yet deeply romantic world, where injustice and betrayal stand against justice and morality. In a punishing society that does not accept the different, love becomes the strongest refuge, a source of inspiration and hope.
“This will kill that,” this phrase comes from the book. The “this” refers to printing (the book) and the “that” to the building (architecture), meaning the book will kill the building. The novel was published in 1831. We are in the era of the invention of printing, during which writing becomes the new medium of communication, replacing cathedrals, which (like Notre Dame), had for centuries been means of expression, storage, and transmission of knowledge, history, faith, and values.
A few words about the author of the work:
Victor Hugo was born in 1802 in Besançon, France, and died in 1885. Already by the age of thirteen, he had realized his literary inclination, and so success and fame were not long in coming. Victor Hugo was the greatest French writer and one of the greatest representatives of French Romanticism. He worked in poetry, literature, drama, visual arts, and politics, while also being one of the boldest activists of his time for human rights. This year marks 140 years since his death.
Director’s Note, Konstantina Nikolaidi:
I am excited that after “Les Misérables” I am working on another majestic work by Victor Hugo, even more so as I reunite with the same collaborators (actors and crew) on the same theatrical stage.
And yes, we are back in Paris! This time, however, a little earlier, at the end of the Middle Ages. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” this iconic work that inspired many directors, poets, musicians, architects, painters, and sculptors, presents us with a harsh, yet at the same time very tender—and in many parts comical—story, set against the backdrop of the magnificent and mystical Cathedral of Notre Dame.
The heroes, risking their lives, get entangled in an adventure that keeps one on the edge of their seat. Gypsies and Parisians, priests and gargoyles, guards, judges, and poets! Frollo, Esmeralda with her clever goat, the tragic figure of a mother, and of course the lonely bell-ringer of the cathedral, Quasimodo! All these characters were born from the pen of Hugo, who worked his miracle once again in this novel.
My wish, through the new grand production of the Foundation of the Hellenic World, is to inspire and move audiences young and old alike!
