Internationally acclaimed Greek stage and film actress Irene Papas will receive this year's career achievement award from the Venice Theatre Biennale, organisers announced Tuesday.
Papas will be honoured with the Golden Lion for her contribution to the stage on February 20, on the opening day of the 40th edition of the Biennale, said director and organiser Maurizio Scaparro.
Papas, who is best known for her role in the film ''Zorba the Greek'', embodies the ''power of Greek tragic theatre'' the Biennale said.
Other notable films in which she has starred include The Guns of Navarone, Z and Captain Corelli's Mandolin. She played Catherine of Aragon in the film Anne of the Thousand Days, starring Richard Burton and Genevieve Bujold.
Papas, 82, was born Irini Lelekou in Chiliomodi outside Corinth, Greece.
''I'm delighted to receive another prize. What I don't have is enough money to stage my beloved Greek classic tragedies...if I had the money, I'd do nothing else but that,'' said Papas.
