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Mystery 39 The Free Besieged


Mystery 39 The Free Besieged

The emblematic poem “The Free Besieged,” by Dionysios Solomos, comes to life through the voices of the residents of Elefsina, directed by Eleni Efthymiou and with an original score by Sofia Kamagianni, at the premises of the Parking lot.

Contributors

Direction/Dramaturgy: Eleni Efthymiou
Assistant Dramaturg: Maria Vardaka
Stage/Lighting Design: Zoi Molibda Fameli
Original Music Composition/Music Teaching: Sofia Kamagianni
Film Direction: Dimitris Zachos
Costume Design: Danae Elefsinioti
Assistant Costume Designer: Matina Mavragani
Assistant Director: Giannis Varvaresos
Photographs: Karol Jarek

and musicians:

Clarinet: Giorgos Vlachos
Accordeon: Stavros Michalopoulos
Violin: Giannis Mastrogiannis

and the participation of the Philharmonic of the Municipality of Elefsina

Sound recordings:
Panos Thoidis: G.Cassα
Recording: Noisebox studio

Construction: Komninos Kousieras
Production Manager: Giannis Vagenas
Production/Production Management: Evangelos Konstas – Constantly Productions

With the participation of

actors: Myrto Goni, Dimitris Drosos, Ioannis Mastrogiannis, Theodosia Savvaki, Giannis Varvaresos

the residents of Elefsina: Maria Antoniou, Maria Axypolitou, Grigoris Asimakopoulos, Thanos Verdis, Angeliki Vlachopanagou, Giannos Gavalas, Athins Gavriilaki, Nikos Galanos, Katerina Gkika, Vanessa Glava, Marina Daskalou, Christos Dedeilias, Anastasia Dracopoulou, Nikolaos Drakoulas, Evangelis Zorzou, Vangelis Kakoseos, Panagiota Kakoseou, Thalia Kallianta, Kyriakos Kabourars, Stavroula Kanaki, Froso Karakitsou, Maria Karelou, Vanassia Katsanebaki, Sotiris Katsanos, Kateirna Koliofoti, Giorgos Kordis, Theodoros Korras, Sophia Linardou, Maria Lioura, Stavros Lourdis, Giannis Marinakis, Natassa Meni, Giorgos Mouroufas, Konstantina Bargiota, Konstantinos Prokopas, Nota Plesti, Paraskevi Papadopoulou, Manolis Papoutsoglou, Natalia Routsolia, Marilena Sabani, Katerina Sarentziotou, Kostas Sidiropoulos, Sotiris Sidiropoulos, Zoi Seitani, Evangelis Totsika, Anastasia Tsoli, Maria Tsoukala, Areti Tsoumani, Pavlina Fourkioti, Maria Chavarioti, Stavros Chanas, Maria Charalambopoulou, Evi Chasioti, Maria Christopoulou, and others.

On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821, Eleusis 2023 European Capital of Culture presents the project “The Free Besieged,” one of the top works by Dionysios Solomos, directed by Eleni Efthymiou, with an original score by Sofia Kamagianni and the participation of the city’s residents. The performance will run for two evenings, on Friday, June 25 and on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at the Parking lot of the Old Olive Mill in Elefsina. Admission is free with entry tickets and a telephone reservation is required.

The poetic composition is inspired by the siege of Messolonghi and the exodus, one of the events that decisively influenced the course of the Greek Revolution. The conversation between the past and the present, the reinterpretation of the historical events that marked the course of the modern Greek state, the relationship between those Besieged and their present counterparts in a modern city with a long history, are some of the themes explored through the site-specific performance directed by Eleni Efthymiou, in collaboration with the residents of Elefsina.

The demands of 1821 for freedom, and the incessant struggle of the people for resistance against any tyrannical imposition, as recorded by Solomos in his incomplete works, remain imperatives—with only slight differentiations—200 years later, within the performance’s interaction with Solomos’ text.

The action is part of the anniversary program of Eleusis 2023 European Capital of Culture, under the general title “Elefsina and the Revolution.”

Director’s Note

Is there perhaps something that unites us all, under a common truth?
Can we ever get rid of the inherent component that divides us, and agree to a common vision and a common action?
What do we need to be deprived of, in order for the words “together” and “solidarity” to become synonymous with breathing?
Here in Elefsina, the city of Aeschylus, of history and the ancients, industry, culture and the barbaric environmental catastrophe; in this modern city, where people from all over Greece and the world share a common place…
A diverse crowd of people, each with their own references and their own experiences, composes the group of the modern Besieged. The words of Solomos’ text echo on their lips, in a narration concerning the recent past, but also the here and now; a relentless present and a future that hovers above us like an inverted question mark.
The Besieged are waiting, preparing and proceeding to a universal conflict against authority, against the besieger, and against everything that limits them and deprives them of life and dignity. And, somewhere in this conflict, they are united, through a common need, in a common fantasy, a common truth—that of the infinite desire for freedom—which is never silenced, even though, in order to find it, we may need to be deprived of our security and comfort, or even of our very lives.

 

 

 

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Mystery 20 Performing Arts Initiator – Narrative Archaeology

Mystery 20 Performing Arts Initiator − Narrative Archaeology, one of the most significant action-models of the 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture programme, returns curated and directed by Gemma Hansson Carbone, in collaboration with Hliana Kaladami, with a renew cast, on 22, 23, 28 & 31 March at the iconic archaeological site of Ancient Eleusis.


Mystery 188 The Light

From 10 to 31 March, at the Old Town Hall, 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture presents Mystery 188 THE LIGHT, an exhibition about the “Educational and Cultural Association of Elefsina” through the eyes of Thanasis Leventis, a founding member, a special and multifaceted personality inextricably linked with the city.


Mystery 195 The Goumas Army by Dionisis Christofilogiannis

In the framework of the two-day conference “Archaeology and Narrativity. Performance in archaeological sites and excavation of human experience” (29 & 30 March), on Friday 29 March at 18.00, 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture presents Mystery 195 The Goumas Army, a sculptural work by artist Dionisis Christofilogiannis, along with a live performance. Forty-nine clay heads from the ceramic universe of Charalampos Goumas


Μυστήριο 176 Μέρες Κινηματογράφου

Από την 1η Μαρτίου έως τις 14 Απριλίου, η 2023 Ελευσίς Πολιτιστική Πρωτεύουσα της Ευρώπης παρουσιάζει στο Σινέ Ελευσίς το Μυστήριο 176 Μέρες Κινηματογράφου, τρία θεματικά τριήμερα προβολών ντοκιμαντέρ που σχετίζονται με το καλλιτεχνικό της πρόγραμμα, την πόλη, αλλά και σύγχρονους προβληματισμούς γύρω από καίρια και διαχρονικά ζητήματα. Πάντα με μια κρυφή φιλοδοξία να μετατραπεί η Ελευσίνα σε τοπόσημο μιας ξεχωριστής κινηματογραφικής εμπειρίας.

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