20th-century allergy to classical antiquity and attempts to overcome it
20th-century allergy to classical antiquity and attempts to overcome it

Summary/Abstract: A non-existence of references to the classical era in 20th-century culture is very noticeable. A revival of classical antiquity is not to be expected in the general sense, but it can be a conscious and important choice made by particular artists. Looking for ancient influences (or talking about the period’s reception) in the 20th century means searching for isolated plots, short-lived fascinations or conscious exceptions. This article will try to suggest the reasons for this allergy to classical antiquity. In its second part, it will present those artistic views and activities where ancient Greece has remained an inspiration and a significant reference point, above all as a source of the “Dionysian element”. Finally, focusing on the example of an acting technique modelled on ancient chorea, it will present the possibility of achieving a modern effect with the use of a past source.

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