Italian
The Mythos Festival – Olympia 2026 is gearing up for a grand finale, closing its fifth edition with an unmissable event. On Saturday, July 18, the Canova Museum in Possagno will host the final performance of the show “Cinisca, the princess who spoke to horses,” preceded by an evening guided tour.
POSSAGNO. The Mythos – Olympia 2026 Classical Theatre Festival is set to conclude its fifth edition with a resounding success, choosing the evocative and prestigious setting of the Canova Museum in Possagno for the final event. The closing evening, scheduled for Saturday, July 18, will feature at 9 PM the last performance of what has been described as the highlight of the festival: “Cinisca, the princess who spoke to horses.” This production, the brainchild of Giovanna Cordova, who has curated both the text and direction, represents the beating heart of a festival that, even in this edition, has managed to enliven the cultural landscape with around eighty events spread across Veneto and the vibrant city of Milan. Such an organizational effort has been made possible thanks to the valuable support of Banca Prealpi SanBiagio, a key partner in the realization of high-profile cultural initiatives.
The closing event is the result of a fruitful collaboration between Tema Cultura, the Municipality of Possagno, and the Canova Museum, an alliance that has allowed the charm of theatre to return to the splendid garden of Casa Canova. This exceptional location will transform into an open-air stage for a unique evening, entirely dedicated to the deep and timeless dialogue between theatrical art and sculpture. The actors of Tema Academy, guided by the refined choreography of Silvia Bennet, will bring to life an intense and engaging performance. The show focuses on the extraordinary figure of Cinisca, a Spartan princess who made history as the first woman to win a victory in an Olympic competition. Through a skillful intertwining of word, movement, and expressive force, the representation will revive those bodies, that tension, and that ideal of beauty which, even today, continue to animate and render eternal the sculptural masterpieces of Antonio Canova, carefully preserved in the museum.
To celebrate this union of history, art, and performance in an even more significant way, the Canova Museum will exceptionally open its doors in the evening. Starting from 7:45 PM, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the rich permanent collection of the museum, choosing between a guided tour, which will offer insights and contextualizations, or a free visit for a more personal and contemplative experience. The detailed program for the evening includes the extraordinary opening of the Museum at 7:45 PM, followed at 8:00 PM by the guided tour of the permanent collection, an optional but highly recommended option, for which reservation is required. Alternatively, a free visit to the Museum will be possible. At 9:00 PM, attention will shift to the museum’s garden, where the highly anticipated show “Cinisca. The princess who spoke to horses” will begin.
Ticket purchase is facilitated through the website www.museocanova.it. The full ticket, which includes the guided tour, costs 25 euros. For those who prefer to attend only the show and opt for a free visit to the museum, the cost is 20 euros. Discounts are available: a 5 euro discount is reserved for members, under 14, and people with disabilities, to be requested via email at eventi@museocanova.it. A gesture of inclusion and enhancement of the territory is the free admission for all residents of the Municipality of Possagno, an opportunity for the local community to actively participate in this prominent cultural event. Reservation is mandatory and can be made via email or by phone at 0423 544323 or at posta@museocanova.it.
The show “Cinisca, the princess who spoke to horses” tells the fascinating story of Cinisca, daughter of Archidamus II, king of Sparta. This historical figure distinguished herself as the first woman in history to achieve an Olympic victory, a triumph obtained in the prestigious chariot race at the Games of 396 BC. The representation sensitively and powerfully retraces the story of a woman who, with determination and courage, managed to assert herself in an era and social context profoundly dominated by men, openly challenging conventions and deep-rooted prejudices. Her epic intertwines with two themes of profound symbolic resonance: the first is the intrinsic and ancestral relationship between humans and horses, an animal that has always embodied ideals of indomitable strength, boundless freedom, and perfect harmony. The second theme explored is that between the horse and water, a primordial element that symbolizes transformation, purification, and rebirth, adding further layers of meaning to the narrative.
Through the effective fusion of theatre, dance, and movement, the figure of Cinisca establishes an ideal and powerful dialogue with the sculptural works of Antonio Canova. In the creations of the famous sculptor, the human body is not just form, but becomes a universal language, capable of expressing vital energy, perfect balance, and a beauty that transcends time. The show, therefore, is not just a historical evocation, but a meditation on art, female resilience, and the ability of individuals to overcome the limits imposed by society and history. The artistic cast, composed of the Tema Cultura Company, sees Giovanna Cordova as the author of the text and director, Silvia Bennet in choreography, Gianluca Cioccolini in lighting design, and Stefano Nicolao in costumes. The production management is entrusted to Peter Gulbiš, while the general production is handled by Tema Cultura. This concluding event is not just the end of a festival, but an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of the past and its ongoing resonance in the present, celebrating art in all its forms and the strength of the human spirit.
