In the Fortified Troupakis-Mourtzinos complex in the Old Town of Kardamyli, a monument that serves as a testament to the story of the last members of the Palaiologos family, Fenia Papadodima takes us on a tour across the land of the Nykliani. A land and a world that is at once cruel and fascinating. A place where death is constantly present.
Through her original music, the portraits painted by Giorgos Kordis on stones hanging on the walls of the tower, and the texts – Mani by Patrick Leigh Fermor, Homer’s Nekyia, as well as folkloristic and philosophical studies, and oral traditions –, the performance explores a woman’s position within a harsh, patriarchal family. Her weakness and strength. Her cry and lullaby. The boundary between life and death. In this misty, hovering “in-between” realm of Mani. Alongside her performing – an ensemble of renowned musicians.
Inspired by a folk legend of Epirus, director Konstantinos Markellos (author of the works The Abduction of Tasoula, Dancing Plague, and Two Oranges for Christmas) created a folk-style text following the Paraloges (a type of Greek folk narrative songs) model, written in verse and in the local Epirus dialect.
A group of actors-musicians perform sometimes as Narrators and other times as Acting Characters. They also sing original compositions inspired by polyphonic songs from Epirus, under the guidance of Vasoula Delli and Natalia Lambadaki, who are members of the vocal ensemble “Pleiades”.
The old woman Itsa played a special role in the community of the village Aetomilitsa in Konitsa. She had the traits of a good witch, spreading around her relief mixed with fear. In July 1974, when general conscription was declared, she gathered the girls at St Nicholas church to perform a primeval, apotropaic dance. A reverse dance, counterclockwise, with the dancers’ faces not towards the center of the circle but outward. As they danced, they rhythmically repeated the words: “It’s nothing, dear, it’s nothing. The enemies are in the sea and children at home”.
This summer, the IONIA Orchestra and Choir of Nea Ionia, Volos will present a dynamic and diverse music theatre performance titled Aristos and Fanis. The 13-member orchestra of traditional instruments, the 160-member mixed choir, singer Thodoris Kotonias, and two actors will take audiences on a colourful journey, where tradition intersects with the present day.
In a simple and immediate manner, the two heroes, Aristos and Fanis, find courage in the power of Aristophanes’ comedy, which has taught us how to address the most challenging matters through the redemptive, sarcastic, and critical power of laughter. Especially in our time and in societies where that which is “different”, whether related to countries, religions, genders, or any other groups, constantly leads to dangerous and escalating tensions. The performance conveys the message that humans need to coexist and that life acquires true value only through collaboration, acceptance of the “other”, and harmony.