On November 5, 2024, the premiere of Women of Troy took place at Dodona Theatre in Prishtina, followed by a rerun on November 6. This powerful theatrical production, co-directed by Zana Hoxha and Maja Mitić, brought to the stage a feminist reinterpretation of Euripides’ tragedy, shedding light on the enduring trauma of war and the resilience of women who confront its horrors.
Following its debut in Prishtina, Women of Troy traveled to Belgrade, where it was performed on November 22 and 23, 2024, at the Center for Cultural Decontamination (CZKD). Over four performances, more than 370 audience members experienced a production that turned the stage into a space for reflection, mourning, and resistance. In a world still witnessing the devastation in Gaza and Ukraine, the production resonated deeply, serving as both a mirror to history and a call for peace.
Through a contemporary directorial vision, the play seamlessly weaves narratives from ancient Troy to modern conflict zones—the Balkans in the 1990s, Somalia, and beyond. It reminds us that war does not end with the silence of weapons; its wounds linger for generations. Women of Troy amplifies the voices of women who, across history, have endured displacement, loss, and oppression, yet continue to fight for dignity and justice.
The figures of Hecuba, Cassandra, and Andromache transcend the realm of ancient tragedy, embodying the suffering of women today. They are mothers mourning their children, daughters stripped of their future, and wives forced into exile. In war, they are seen not as survivors but as spoils—yet their voices, echoing across centuries, demand to be heard.
Performed in both Albanian and Serbian, with English subtitles, the cast featured Maja Mitić, Shpëtim Selmani, Semira Latifi, Branka Stojković, Qëndresa Kajtazi, Labinot Raci, and Aleksandar Stoimenovski.
A collaboration between Artpolis and the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia, Women of Troy was made possible with the support of the European Union. However, the content of the performance remains solely the responsibility of Artpolis and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
More than a theatre performance, Women of Troy stands as a reminder, a reckoning, and a plea—a testament to the endurance of the human spirit in the face of war’s unrelenting cruelty.
