Sztukę “Mleko” Autorstwa Vassilisa Katsikonourisa

Zapraszamy do Teatru Kamienica Emiliana Kaminskiego na sztukę “Mleko“ autorstwa Vassilisa Katsikonourisa . Jest ona jednym z najciekawszych osiągnieć współczesnej, greckiej dramaturgii. Akcja dramatu rozgrywa się pomiędzy trzema bohaterami – matką Riną i jej synami: młodszym Lefterisem, cierpiącym na kliniczną schizofrenię oraz starszym Antonisem, który wraz z matką próbuje ocalić brata przed ostateczną hospitalizacją. Spektakl obrazuje kilka dni z ich życia, życia rodziny emigrantów z Gruzji, którzy po upadku imperium Związku Radzieckiego wrócili do swojej historycznej ojczyzny – do Aten, w poszukiwaniu lepszego jutra. Inscenizacja sztuki dotyka płaszczyzny egzystencjalnej, porusza wiele aspektów związanych ze zjawiskiem emigracji – kompleks niższości,

Autor sztuki: Vasilis Katsikonouris, Kompozytor muzyki: Odysseas Konstantinopoulos, Rezyser sztuki: Sebastian Chondrokostas

poczucie wyobcowania, tęsknota za ojczyną. Jest próbą zobrazowania zmagań człowieka między ukrytymi lękami i nadziejami. Bohaterowie Mleka podejmują próbę pokonania swoich pragnień, ucieczki od tkwiących w nich tęsknot i kompleksów. Ich rzeczywistość sceniczna balansuje na granicy realności i wyobrażenia, jawy i snu. To tutaj groza miesza się nieustannie z groteską. Prapremiera polska 25 czerwca Mleko Vassilis Katsikonouris Reżyseria: Sebastian CHONDROKOSTAS Scenografia & kostiumy: Katarzyna GABRAT – SZYMAŃSKA Muzyka: Odysseas KONSTANTINOPOULOS Obsada: Anna CHODAKOWSKA, Matylda DAMIĘCKA, Andrzej ANDRZEJEWSKI, Rafał FUDALEJ
Obejrzyj! Cena biletu: Normalny: 50zł Straponten: 30zł Wejściówka: 20zł Przed spektaklem

Zdjęcia i muzyka ze spektaklu :  (V I D E O 1) ******* (VIDEO 2) ******* (VIDEO 3)

„Sztuka “Mleko”  ukazuje historię blisko związaną z losami mojej rodziny. Moi dziadkowie, bohaterowie wojny domowej w Grecji końca lat 40-tych ubiegłego wieku, również bowiem zmuszeni zostali do emigracji skazującej ich na wieczną tęsknotę za ojczyzną i życie z piętnem “obcego”. Pomimo iż w Polsce przeżyli ponad 40 lat, na zawsze pozostali rozbici na dwie ojczyzny.
Dlatego też przedstawienie w Teatrze Kamienica było dla mnie oraz dla kompozytora muzyki, Odysseasa Konstantinopoulosa, (też pół-Greka pół-Polaka) wyjątkowo osobistym przeżyciem, którym chcieliśmy podzielić się z widownią.”

Sebastian Chondrokostas
reżyser

Anna Chodakowska - Zdjęcia ze spektaklu : Filip Błażejowski

Najblizsze terminy przedstawien:
23 października 19:00 Scena Oficyna
25 października 19:00 Scena Oficyna

VIDEO

"MLEKO" / Taniec Pondyjski -Zdjęcia ze spektaklu : Filip Błażejowski

"MLEKO" / Finał - Zdjęcia ze spektaklu : Filip Błażejowski

“MLEKO”oczami polskich widzow (YOUTUBE)

Ettna 100: Jestem pod ogromnym wrażeniem obejrzanej sztuki “Mleko”Temat to przeplatające się sceny czarnej komedii z wyczuwającym zagrożeniem.Autentyczność jak wykazali aktorzy,wartości tematu,pozwala spojrzeć na bezsilność bezbronnego człowieka,Sztuka trafiła do serc współczesnej widowni…a muzyka którą słyszymy potwierdza autonomię współuczestnictwa…a poprzez rozszerzony kod muzyczny…o nastrój,rytm i pamięć spektaklu…
Magdalena59: Trudny — ale wspaniały spektakl… Kontrowersyjny — ale piękny… Mądra, chociaż niełatwa treść… Brawurowo zagrany, reżysersko “dopieszczony” do najdrobniejszych detali, z fascynującą muzyką w tle… Ale nie spodziewajcie się wyłącznie lekkiego relaksu, nie oczekujcie zabawnej “historyjki o Grekach”… tego tu nie znajdziecie… Polecam wszystkim ludziom myślącym i patrzącym dalej niż czubek wlasnego nosa…
Ettna 100: Wspaniała integracja muzyki ze sztuką,gdzie słychać uczucie,powagę spokoju,smutku i melancholię.Muzyka którą słyszymy,pobudza i niepokoi,zmusza do zaostrzenia ciekawości,wpływając na odbiorcę poprzez nastrój rozedrganymi dźwiękami i barwami…Forma muzyczna zawiera cechy ilustracji,ekspresji ruchu przekazywanych przez bohaterów sztuki..

“MLEKO” w Swiata

MLEKO w Nikosia

“ Milk” in Cyprus
Vassilis Katsikonouris’s play looks at how foreigners tackle integration into Greek society. The story focuses on a family of Russians from the Black Sea region -a widowed mother and her two sons. One son battles a debilitating illness -schizophrenia, according to doctors- and the other fights tooth and nail to adjust to his new home country. Directed by Achilleas Grammatikopoulos.
Admission: € 12.00 – 8.00
Oct. 25 – Dec. 28 (Fr-Sa): Nicosia, Open Theatre

MLEKO w Atenach / Direktora: Nikos Mastorakis

“Mleko” w Atenach

A play about the search for happiness in a foreign country. A Greek-Russian family leaves Russia to return to Athens. The oldest son is able to successfully integrate himself into society, leaving his younger brother to come to terms with his new doubled identity by himself. The mother of the boys is torn between her two sons. With great sensitivity and intensity, director Nikos Mastorakis reveals the many facets of life on the edge of society, aided by an ensemble that distinguishes itself at the highest level of acting ability.
1 hour 50 minutes, no interval
Public discussion after the performance on June 17th 2006

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Jewels in the Greek Crown: Cephalonia

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Cephalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands and the country’s sixth largest overall. It is a mountainous island with a widely varied landscape, mixed flora, picturesque villages and magnificent beaches.  Argostoli, the capital of the island is situated inside a protected natural harbour in the gulf of the same name, while its center features many Venetian-style buildings and Lithostroto, a marbles-paved main street which ends in the bustling central Vallianou square.  In Cephalonia, the visitor will come across stunning beaches such as Myrtos –rated as one of the best beaches in the world, – sites of historical, religious and cultural interest as well as unique physical  phenomena such as the cave-lagoon Melissani (photo) and the national park of Mt Aenos which hosts a unique species of fir trees called “Abies Cephalonica.”  Athens Plus: Cephalonia-Shaken, not Stirred (26.07.09 p.42)

MORE PHOTOS

Po raz pierwszy w Warszawie grecka sztuka “Mleko” autorstwa Vassilisa Katsikonourisa

Zdjęcia ze spektaklu : Filip Błażejowski

Polska prapremiera greckiej sztuki współczesnej 25 czerwca 2009, 19.00

Sztuka MLEKO („To gala”) autorstwa Vassilisa Katsikonourisa to jedno z najciekawszych osiągnięć współczesnej, greckiej dramaturgii.
Akcja dramatu rozgrywa się pomiędzy trzema bohaterami – Matką Riną i jej synami: młodszym Lefterisem, cierpiącym na kliniczną schizofrenię oraz starszym Antonisem, który wraz z matką próbuje ocalić brata przed ostateczną hospitalizacją.
Spektakl obrazuje kilka dni z ich życia, życia rodziny emigrantów z Gruzji, którzy po upadku imperium Związku Radzieckiego wrócili do swojej historycznej ojczyzny – do Aten, w poszukiwaniu lepszego jutra.
Inscenizacja sztuki dotyka płaszczyzny egzystencjalnej, porusza wiele aspektów związanych ze zjawiskiem emigracji – kompleks niższości, poczucie wyobcowania, tęsknota za ojczyzną. Jest próbą zobrazowania zmagań człowieka między ukrytymi lękami i nadziejami. Bohaterowie Mleka podejmują próbę pokonania swoich pragnień,  ucieczki od tkwiących w nich tęsknot i kompleksów. Ich rzeczywistość sceniczna balansuje na granicy realności i wyobrażenia, jawy i snu. To tutaj groza miesza się nieustannie z groteską.
Autor  – Vassilis Katsikonouris

Przekład i reżyseria –  Sebastian Chondrokostas

Produkcja – Teatr Kamienica

Opieka artystyczna – Emilian Kamiński

Muzyka –  Odysseas Konstantinopulos

Scenografia i kostiumy: Katarzyna Gabrat – Szymańska

Obsada:
Anna Chodakowska – aktorka Teatru Narodowego,
Matylda Damięcka,
Andrzej Andrzejewski,
Rafał Fudalej.

Patronat Honorowy          Ambasada Grecji  w Warszawie
Mecenas Spektaklu            Polbank
Patronat medialny:             POLSKIE  RADIO  Program 1.
TVP Warszawa
The Warsaw Voice
Partner Teatru:                    SPEC
 Stołeczne Przedsiębiorstwo
Energetyki Cieplnej S.A.
Patron Teatru                   POLENERGIA
Dystrybucja Sp. z o. o.
Współpraca              SIGMA International  Poland
agencja public relations
Ticket Online
Onet.pl

Zdjęcia ze spektaklu : Filip Błażejowski

Teatr Kamienica mieści się w Al. Solidarności 93 – tuż przy Placu Bankowym w Warszawie.   Powstał w  zabytkowej kamienicy zbudowanej w 1910 roku w stylu secesji geometrycznej, która ocalała w czasie II wojny światowej. Na około 2000m2 suteren, piwnic i parteru są trzy sceny: „Scena Parter” na 100 osób widowni (premiera 11 październik 2008roku), „Scena Piwniczka” na 100 osób oraz „Scena Oficyna” na 300 osób.  Twórcą Teatru  jest Emilian Kamiński. Biuro Teatru: 022 620 12 63, Kasa: 022 624 01 99 www.teatrkamienica.pl

Vassilis Katsikonouris

Sebastian Chondrokostas – reżyser
– ur. 29.06.1976
-absolwent Filozofii Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego oraz Reżyserii Akademii Teatralnej w Warszawie
-wykształcenie dodatkowe: ukończona Szkoła Muzyczna I stopnia oraz 3 klasy II stopnia w klasie fortepianu
KARIERA ARTYSTYCZNA:
Współpraca reżyserska:
– asystent reżysera przy spektaklu Teatru Telewizji „Rysa” w reż. Krzysztofa Zaleskiego
– asystent reżysera przy spektaklu Teatru Telewizji „Bar świat” w reż. Izabelli Cywińskiej
– asystent reżysera przy spektaklu teatralnym „Projekt Gombrowicz” w reż. Jerzego Jarockiego w Teatrze Dramatycznym w Warszawie
– asystent reżysera przy produkcji II części serialu TVP „Boża podszewka” w reż. Izabelli Cywińskiej
– II reżyser przy produkcji filmu fabularnego „Kochankowie z Marony” w reż. Izabelli Cywińskiej
Reżyseria:
– reżyser spektaklu teatralnego (dyplom reżyserski) „Zatrudnimy starego clowna” w Teatrze Ateneum (nagroda FELIX WARSZAWSKI 2004-2005 za pierwszoplanową rolę męską dla Jana Kociniaka)
– reżyser 32 odcinków serialu telewizji Polsat „Pensjonat pod Różą”
– reżyser 3 odcinków serialu TVP „Kopciuszek”
– reżyser serialu telewizji Polsat „Tylko miłość” – odcinki 4-11, 17-20
– reżyser serialu TVP „Codzienna 2m3” – odcinki 43-71

Read Also    “MLEKO” = “To Gala” w Grecji

ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΕΙ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΚΕΙΜΕΝΟ

The New Acropolis Museum

• Making it as good as new…

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Three days remain until the grand opening of the new Acropolis Museum, on June 20. Both the Museum’s organisation team and the Ministry of Culture are working closely to put the final touches on the surrounding area and of course, the Museum itself. The Acropolis Museum Website: www.theacropolismuseum.gr
• THE OPENING: June 20, a night to remember….
Fulfilling the core philosophy the ancient monument represents, the official inaugural event will not indulge in excessive or ostentatious displays, but will become a moderate festivity with artistic infusions. The guest list is long and comprises heads of state and government, royalties, top level officials, eminent academics and presidents of other museums. New technologies will be used to showcase the antiquities, acting as the “artistic event” of the evening. A dinner on the museum’s terrace will close the event and a cruise of the Saronic Gulf has been organized for the day after the inauguration ceremony for the heads of state and government attending. Tune online and watch the opening ceremony on June 20th. New Acropolis Museum Organising Committee: Preparing the museum

• THE MUSEUM
♦ A Museum of Sculpture and Light….

The New Acropolis Museum is a purpose built museum by architects Bernard Tschumi and Michalis Fotiades to house the archaeological findings related to the Acropolis Hill. It is located at the foot of the Acropolis (300 metres -980 feet-southeast of the Parthenon) and the total cost of the museum was €130 million.  The first Acropolis Museum was completed in 1874. Successive excavations on the Acropolis have uncovered many new artifacts which needed additional space for their housing. The initiative for a new museum coincided with Greece’s campaign over the return of the Elgin Marbles. Greece claims that the new museum offers both a technically and historically unparalleled shelter for the Acropolis’ treasures. Quoting the architect, “the museum appears effortless and almost undesigned.” The goal of the orchestrated simplicity is to focus the viewer’s emotion and intellect on the extraordinary works of art. Thus, the extensive use of glass in the Museum. The design allows for the free flow of natural lights into the museum spaces through 50 skylights, while the Parthenon gallery is flooded by light.
♦ Digital Parthenon
The museum’s crown jewel is the Parthenon gallery, where the entire frieze is exhibited in the same order and with the same directional orientation as when it adorned the monument. Visual contact from the gallery to the monument was set as a prerequisite and as a result, the visitor can now relish a breathtaking view of the Acropolis, the surrounding historic hills and contemporary Athens. Speaking to the Financial Times (June 4), the President of the museum, professor of archaeology Dimitris Pandermalis said that the “arrangement and labelling of sculptures, from the freize of the Parthenon to the dozens of free-standing pieces is designed so that people can wander around, stop and look, feel they are engaging directly with the antiquities.” Culture Minister Antonis Samaras stressed the importance of digital technology. “It has a big role to play in explaining not just the ancient world but modern Greek history. We would like to have visitor centres at the main sites that would use virtual reality to recreate scenes from daily life as well as the big battles,” he said. Ministry of Culture: www.parthenonfrieze.gr &  Play with the Frieze Acropolis Restoration Service: Let’s Go to the Acropolis! – Kits
♦ A Symbolic Entrance Fee
Samaras announced that entrance to the museum will cost €1 for the first six months. 2,200 tickets will be on sale online (e-ticketing) for the first three days, while about 2,5 million visitors are expected every year.  The Acropolis Museum was recently selected as the main motif for a high-value euro collectors coins: the Greek Acropolis Museum commemorative coin, minted in 2008.  This coin was issued to commemorate the re-opening of the museum. On the obverse, a panoramic view of the Acropolis can be seen; the museum resides in the base of it.
THE SIZE: The largest and finest one of all…
The words describe the famous sanctuary of ancient Athens, the Acropolis, as it so happened that the Acropolis of the fifth century BC was the most accurate reflection of the splendour, power and wealth of Athens at its greatest peak.  The New Acropolis Museum is 25,000 square metres with exhibition space of over 14,000 square metres- ten times more than that of the old museum.  The glass encased Parthenon Gallery is 7.5 metres high and has a floor space of over 3,200 square metres. It hosts approximately 4,000 artefacts.  The museum will offer all the amenities of an international museum of the 21^st century.

THE TECHNOLOGY: The Old Masters; how well they understood…

Just as the ancient masterpiece prevailed upon its contemporary monuments worldwide in craftsmanship and technology, the New Acropolis Museum is also designed and constructed based on environmental friendly and functional novel techniques, becoming that as well a monument of dexterity and grace.  In particular, the Museum’s novelties focus on a shell of glass covering the Parthenon gallery which allows natural light, while protecting contents from radiation and maintaining a normal temperature.  The floors of glass – 5 centimetres thick – are designed to provide the visitor with a view to the 2.5 acre area of underground excavations. The special soundproofing materials and the anti- seismic construction standing on 92 pillars are designed to endure a quake measuring up to 10 on the Richter scale.

ACROPOLIS: The lance of Athena’s statue was visible from miles away…

At the entrance of the Acropolis once stood an immense statue sculptured by Phidias, that of goddess Athena fighting in the frontline (Athena Promachos).  The colossal bronze statue is lost, but according to descriptions it was so large that ships approaching the coast of Attica could see Athena’s lance.  For the first time after 200 years of archaeological excavations at the on the rock of the Acropolis, all the significant findings will be displayed together in the one museum, telling the complete story of the Athenian Acropolis and its foothills.  Rich collections dating from prehistoric times through to the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods and up to late antiquity (700 AD) will provide visitors with a comprehensive picture of the centuries-old human presence on the sacred site.  The sculptural decoration of the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike, (the four major monuments built on the Acropolis under Pericles), together with the Propylaea (entrance, the gates) comprise some of the most important Classical architectural sculptures.  Among these, the Parthenon frieze with the splendid portrayal of the Panathenaic procession, the metopes and the pediments, the famous Erechtheion caryatids and others.  Ministry of Culture: The Archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens & The Acropolis Restoration Project National Geographic Channel: The secrets of the Parthenon VIDEO

WORLD MEDIA ON THE MUSEUM

The New Acropolis Museum has been in the spotlight of the foreign media for years. The media report on the museum making references to the historic resonance of the event, the artistic superiority of the museum’s building, as well as to the problems which emerged during its construction.  The Press also emphasises the international campaign over the repatriation of the Parthenon marbles showcased in the British Museum and Melina Mercouri’s personal contribution to the cause of the marbles’ reunification.

PROMOTION AROUND THE GLOBE

The new museum has helped revive the interest in Greece’s classical heritage.  The achievement of creating a new home for something which is considered part of Greece’s supreme legacy has sparked a series of cultural events almost in every continent.  From the United States to China, and from Athens to Helsinki foreign audiences have been offered a vivid, detailed and comprehensive presentation of both the Acropolis treasures and the new museum.  Secretariat General of Information: Press Center for the inauguration of the New Acropolis Museum & The Acropolis Museum: Press Kit

PARTHENON MARBLES: THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN
♦ “In the name of the world’s cultural heritage…”

The movement to reunify the Parthenon Marbles, which are situated at the moment in the British Museum, has been gathering remarkable support worldwide over the years and especially during the last months. In fact, in view of the New Acropolis Museum’s opening, Greece’s claim for the restitution of the Marbles has grown all the stronger. “Parthenon international“- an association of various national committees from different countries, the “American Friends of the New Acropolis Museum” organisation or the British campaign group “Marbles Reunited” are part of the international campaign sharing the same vision of the marbles’ return. On June 15, Parthenon International sent a letter to both the British Museum and the British Government, communicating their view on the matter.
♦ Melina Mercouri: “Culture is Greece’s heavy industry”

Internationally renowned Melina Merkouri (1920-1994) was a towering figure of Greece’s cultural life of the 20^th century. Daughter of an MP and grandchild of Spyridon Mercouris, a former mayor of Athens, the actress, singer and politician Melina Mercouri was an ardent supporter of the Parthenon’s Marble repatriation. As minister of Culture, Mercouri openly claimed the Parthenon Marbles and devote herself to it. Together with her husband Jules Dassin president of the Melina Mercouri Foundation until his passing away (2008), Melina Mercouri led a successful campaign, a fruit of which could be considered the New Acropolis Museum.  Melina Mercouri Foundation: www.melinamercourifoundation.org.gr You Tube: Melina Mercouri describes the Parthenon Marbles [Footage screened on the Greek television programme  “Erevna”  (=Research)]

New Acropolis Museum: Tour of the permanent collections

(ANA-MPA) The New Acropolis Museum, which will be officially inaugurated on Saturday, contains five Permanent Collections: The Acropolis Slopes, divided into sub-categories on The Settlement, and The Sanctuary; The Acropolis during the Archaic Period, with sub-categories on The Hekatompedon, The Ancient Temple, abd The Votives; The Parthenon, with sub-categories on The Monument, The Metopes, The Pediments, and The Frieze; Other Monuments of the Classical Acropolis, with sub-categories on The Propylaia, The Temple of Athena Nike, and The Erectheion; and Other Collections, with sub-categories on The Sanctuary of Artemis Vravronia, The Votives of the Classical and Hellenist Periods, and The Votives of the Roman Period. ANA-MPA takes its readers on a tour of the collections, in three parts, leading up to the official opening. The Museum opened its electronic gates (www.theacropolismuseum.gr) on Monday.
THE ACROPOLIS SLOPES
The first gallery of the Museum houses finds from the slopes of the Acropolis. The gallery’s glass floor affords views to the excavation, while its upward slope alludes at the ascent to the Acropolis. In antiquity, the slopes of the Sacred Rock constituted the transition zone between the city and its most famous sanctuary. This was the area where official and popular cults, as well as large and small sanctuaries existed alongside private houses.
The Settlement
Among the sanctuaries, or at a slightly lower level, archaeological excavations brought to light parts of the urban fabric of ancient Athens and gave evidence of its almost uninterrupted settlement from the end of the Neolithic period (about 3000 BC) until late antiquity (6th century AD). Houses and workshops, roads and squares, wells and reservoirs, as well as thousands of objects left behind by the local people in antiquity all provide valuable insight into the past. Most finds are made of clay, as objects made of other perishable materials have been lost to us, while the most valuable objects have been looted. The finds include tableware and symposium vessels, cooking pots, perfume holders, cosmetics and jewelry containers, children’s toys and others.
The Sanctuaries
The slopes, caves and plateaus of the Acropolis hill were sacred to gods, heroes and nymphs. The south slope was home to two of the most important sanctuaries of the city, those of Dionysos Eleuthereus and Asklepios. It was also the site of several other temples, smaller in size, yet of great importance to the Athenians. At a short distance from the Sanctuary of Asklepios was a small open-air temple dedicated to the Nymphe, who was the protector of marriage and wedding ceremonies. There, the Athenians dedicated the nuptial bath vases, as well as other votive offerings, such as perfume bottles, cosmetics and jewelry containers and symposium vases.
THE ACROPOLIS DURING THE ARCHAIC PERIOD
The period throughout the 7th century BC, until the end of the Persian Wars is called Archaic. This period is characterized by the development of the city-state and the development of democracy. It is also characterized by great achievements in the economy, art and intellectual life. In the early 6th century BC, the cult of Athena Polias on the Acropolis continued to be pursued in her late-geometric temple. In 566 BC, the tyrant Peisistratos re-organized the Panathenaia, the greatest festival in honor of the Goddess. It is possible that at that time, for reasons of political propaganda, a large temple was erected at the site to be occupied later by the Parthenon. This temple is the Archaic Parthenon or Hekatompedon, dedicated to the military facet of Athena Parthenos, the patron divinity of the city.
The Hekatompedon
The earliest building known on the Acropolis was the Hekatompedon or Hekatompedos neos – meaning 100 feet long, and comes from an inscription referring to the layout of the sanctuary. It is thought that the building was built on the site, later occupied by the Classical Parthenon. The fragments of poros architectural members and sculptures uncovered to the south and east of the Parthenon, reveal that the Hekatompedon was a Doric peripteral temple. The lioness pediment is distinguished by its high-relief carving and its striking size. It depicts a lioness with an unusually bushy mane, rearing on its hind legs and tearing apart a calf. It is believed to have adorned the east pediment of the temple. Two compositions belong to the west pediment. The one to the left depicts Herakles on his right knee, wrestling with the Triton, a creature with a body of a man ending in the scaly tail of a sea monster. The group to the right is the Triple-Bodied Monster, a composite creature consisting of three male figures conjoined at the waist. Each figure holds an object in its left hand: the first has water, the second fire, and the third a bird (symbolizing air).
The Ancient Temple
The Gigantomachy pediment belongs to the decoration of the Old Temple of Athena. It has been argued that the Temple had an earlier building phase (570 BC), involving the poros sculptures that are now assigned to the Hekatompedon, while the marble sculptures were associated with a renovation by the sons of Peisistratos. It is possible, however, that the Temple was built and given its marble sculpted decoration in the last quarter of the 6th century BC. The compositions of the pediments consist of larger than life-size statues, carved in Parian marble, which are attributed to the workshop of an important Athenian sculptor, either Antenor or Endoios.
The Votives
From the time of Peisistratos onwards, the site of the Acropolis began to fill with votive offerings, offered to the Goddess, both as tokens of respect and as marks of financial and artistic development. These important offerings were mostly statues meant to please the Goddess. The human form was at the core of artistic pursuit, and its depiction resulted in technique perfection. On the Acropolis, statues and other expensive artefacts were commissioned by members of aristocratic families and wealthy professionals, manual workers, as well as women, such as washer women and bakers. Clay plaques depicted Athena either as Promachos, fully armed and resting one foot on a chariot, or as Ergane, seated and spinning.
Ministry sponsors children’s film dedicated to the New Acropolis Museum
The education ministry on Wednesday announced that it will debut a children’s film dedicated to the Parthenon atop the Acropolis, entitled “The Parthenon and its Sculptures”. The film will be shown primarily within the New Acropolis Museum’s main atrium, as the entire museum will officially be inaugurated on Saturday. MORE PHOTOS.

Arcadia: A “must” to see in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    The trip to Arcadia in central Peloponnese reveals historical, religious, and environmental beauties little known. Some of these beauties are the gorges of Loussios River, as well as the nearby historic cities Dimitsana and Karitaina.   The rare variety of fauna and flora but also the landscape’s serene life -due to the difficulty of access- made it possible for monastic life to flourish over the centuries.   Monasteries clinging on Loussios rocks and the numerous shrines, chapels and churches, are impressive monuments of the life of Orthodox monks. The best known monastery is the Philosophou, founded in 963 AD.  The monastery served as “a secret school” during the Ottoman rule, to preserve the Greek language and Orthodox faith. Inside the monastery lie frescoes from the 17th century and precious icons. Prodromou monastery, probably founded in the 16th century, is currently the largest monastery with some 14 monks. Almost invisible, literally hanging from the wall of rock, it was used as hospital during the Greek War of Independence.  Loussios River and its many streams have been the source of the prosperity in the region during the 18th century, when economic activity revolved around water. The water mills were used, inter alia, to produce gun powder, fuelling Greece’s independence war in 1821. The city of Dimitsana nowadays hosts an open-air hydraulics museum, which reproduces the activity of the old water mills.

Greece on CNN’s iReport

(www.minpress.gr)  CNN’s iReport features Greece this week. iReporters submitted their favorite vacation photos from Greece and a selection of 25 of them is been presented.   Photos from Santorini, Myconos, the Parthenon etc along with the enthusiastic comments and memories of the people who posted them, constitute a slideshow of some of the most beautiful aspects of Greece.  iReport.com is a user-generated site, where users submit stories, videos, pictures etc. See the photos here

World Press Photos 2009 at Athens Airport

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Travellers and visitors will have the opportunity to visit the World Press Photo 2009 at the Eleftherios Venizelos Athens International Airport from May 7 to 29. 
The World Press Photo exhibition is an annual event, travelling to over 80 cities worldwide, showcasing the winning images of the World Press Photo Contest.

A “Mouving Museum” in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The National Museum of Contemporary Art recently inaugurated the programme “In & Out” which includes presentations of new works by Greek and international artists in the project room of the Athens Conservatory and in public spaces in the city. In the framework of this new exhibition programme, George Hadjimichalis, one of the most important representatives of contemporary art in Greece presented his new work-a video-, titled “The Famine in Athens in the winter of 1941-1942.” Hadjimichalis’ video includes photographic and videotaped archival material and is presented from a television placed inside a container from the window of which passers by will be able to watch. The work tours and stops in eight different sites of Athens, functioning as a “moving museum.”  The artist’s aim is to stimulate the memories of that cruel period, bringing the people of Athens in contact with the recent history of the city. More information: Foundation of the Hellenic World – Famine

Greece: Images of an Enchanted Land

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)      Black and white images of Greece in the ‘50s, as seen through the lens of Robert McCabe, have been exhibited until January 31 at the Sit Down Gallery as part of the Month of Photography in Paris. Greece has changed dramatically since Robert McCabe took the pictures in this collection – also available in a relevant publication – some of them fifty years ago. Certain viewers – especially those who were also there at that time – might find McCabe’s photographs elegiac.  This is the Greece they remember, glazed in dazzling sunlight and now gone. However, the principal sensation they convey is pleasure. Greece, Images of an Enchanted Land: View the photos

Kifissia at Benaki Museum

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   An exhibition based on photographs, books, documents and archival material revealing the architectural splendour of Kifissia suburb, north east of Athens, runs until March 31, at the Benaki Museum, Delta House, in Kifissia.  Benaki Museum – Flashback to Kifissia 

Christmas in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Traditionally the “Christmas holiday period” in Greece lasts 12 days, until January 6 (Epiphany). There are many customs associated with the Christmas holidays, some of which are relatively recent, “imported” from other parts of the world (like eating turkey on Christmas day, decorating the Christmas tree). Greeks are increasingly choosing to decorate small Christmas boats (see picture) instead of trees, which are widely considered an imported custom. The modern Christmas tree entered Greece in the luggage of the country’s first king, Otto of Bavaria, who ascended to the throne in 1833 but the tree did not become popular before the 1940s.Still, Christmas in Greece maintains, in many respects, its originality, particularly in rural areas.
Christmas: A Word Of Greek Origin
Where did “Xmas” come from? Some transliterations of Greek spell Christos as Xristos. The “X” stood in for the first letter of the word Christ (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ). “Xmas” has been used for hundreds of years in religious writing, where the X represents the Greek letter X (chi). While in modern times Xmas is regarded as a kind of slang, it was originally considered to be a perfectly respectful abbreviation, especially as it included a form of the cross in the shape of the “X”. Christmas (“Χριστούγεννα”), the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus is one of the most joyful days of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Christmas Sweets
In the past, the honey cookies (melomakarona) were made exclusively for Christmas, while sugar cookies, or kourabiedes, were prepared for the New Year. Today, though, this distinction is not observed anymore and both melomakarona and kourabiedes are prepared and consumed throughout the festive season. Another traditional custom that dates back to the Byzantine times is the slicing of the Vassilopita (Basil’s cake or New Year Cake). The person who finds the hidden coin in his/her slice of the cake, is considered to be blessed for the rest of the year.
Christmas Carols
The singing of Christmas carols (or kalanda, in Greek) is a custom which is preserved in its entirety to this day. On Christmas and New Year Eve children go from house to house in groups of two or more singing the carols, accompanied usually by the sounds of the triangle, but also of guitars, accordions, lyres or harmonicas. Until some time ago they were rewarded with pastries but nowadays they are usually given money. Listen to some sound extracts with Greek Christmas carols (Kalanda) from different parts of Greece. Thrace & Pontus & Epirus & Ikaria Island
Christmas Elves
Kalikantzari are little creatures that live deep down inside the earth and together with the legends of Greece, play an important part in the customs and traditions of this holiday. From Christmas until the Feast of the Epiphany, residents in Epirus place twelve spindles in front of the fireplace so that the kalikantzari see them and do not climb down the chimney. On Christmas Eve, in the town of Grevena, the followers place a large log in the corner of the house and set it alight. As the fire burns, lasting until the Feast of the Epiphany, it protects the family from the kalikantzari.

Snapshots from Greek History

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Life Magazine’s historic photographic archive is now available on line through Google’s Image Search function. Out of 10 million photographs, Life Magazine (www.life.com) has already digitised 20%.  Photographs which revolve around Greece’s political, cultural and social life stretch through the period 1948-1968.  One may browse through the Life collection by theme (Civil War in Greece, Greek Children and Greek Tourist Story) or by keywords (Greece, Karamanlis, Acropolis, Callas, et al).  Secretariat General for Information: Feature Stories; Foundation of the Hellenic World: History of Modern Greece 

Concert of Contemporary Greek Music in Warsaw / “Erato” Ensemble

   On October 18, Greek Ambassador in Poland, Mr Pantelis Carcabassis organized at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, a concert of contemporary Greek music, performed by “Erato” music ensemble.
Introducing the artists to the audience, Mr Carcabassis underlined that “the title of the concert “Songs With And Without Words” is not simply an hommage to the genius of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: the Greeks have been singing throughout their history – from times immemorial to the present day. And they have always been discovering the music in words….”
The “Erato” ensemble comprises of Theodora Baka/voice, Mariella Kessissoglou/ clarinet and Maria Papapetropoulou/ piano.
Their program included Manos Hadjidakis’s cycles of songs (“Magnus Eroticus”, The “Bloody Wedding”, “Roman Agora”) arranged for trio (voice-clarinet-piano), as well as songs of other Greek composers – Nikos Kypourgos, Christos Mentis and Georgios Sfyridis.
The ensemble has performed with great success in Greece, Germany and Italy. Critics call them “the three Muses of Greek music” and especially emphasize their sensitive interpretation, which reveals in all aspects the “euphoric melancholy” of this kind of music.

Literary Meeting in Warsaw with Greek Writer Vassilis Vassilikos

On October 17, the Press and Communication Office in Warsaw – in collaboration with the French Institute in Warsaw and the National Book Centre of Greece (EKEBI) – organized a literary meeting with Greek writer Vassilis Vassilikos at the premises of the French Institute in Warsaw. Professor Jozef Kwaterko coordinated the meeting and read extracts from Mr. Vassilikos books, while the writer replied to audience questions. The conference followed a small reception, offering greek appetizers and wine and concluded with the screening of “Z”, Kostas Gavras legendary film, based on a Vassilis Vassilikos novel.

Warsaw / Celebrating European Day of Languages (26 & 27/9)

Celebrating “European Day of Languages”, a project that promotes linguistic and cultural diversity in Europe, ten Cultural Institutes and Embassies – members of EUNIC Warsaw Cluster (EU National Institutes for Culture) – including the Greek Embassy in Warsaw, organized a two days cultural event at Zloty Tarasy , a multifunctional complex in the center of Warsaw (26 & 27/9).

The participation of Greece was coordinated by the Greek Press and Communication Office in Warsaw in collaboration with the Center for Hellenic Studies in Warsaw University.

The program included public lessons and story telling, educational competitions

(such as “treasure hunt”), and music events, while participating institutions provided promotional material for the languages involved.

The Greek participation featured soprano Katarzyna Gojny, performing songs of Theodorakis, Loizos and Kougioumtzis, rearranged by Odysseas Konstantinopoulos.   PHOTOS :

Athens / Photo Exhibition: The Modern Arab World

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  “The Modern Arab World” photographers exhibition at the Benaki Museum, Athens, records the rise and catalytic effect of ever increasing information media in the Islamic world, the Western influence on the lifestyle of the local communities, as well as everyday life experiences in the Middle East. The exhibition, designed the Beetroot Design Group,  is taking place within the framework of anniversary events to celebrate twenty years of operation for Apeiron Photos.  The Benaki Museum collection of Islamic art, includes examples of all Islamic art local variations from as far as India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, the Middle East, Arabia, Egypt, North Africa, Sicily and Spain, and ranks among the most important in the world.

A Unique National Marine Park in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    The Mediterranean Monk Seal also known as Monachus Monachus, is Europe’s most endangered marine mammal, and is among the six most endangered mammals in the world.  Greece has allocated a vast area for the preservation of the Monachus Monachus and its habitat in the Aegean Sea. The Greek National Sea Park of Alonissos – Northern Sporades(www.alonissos-park.gr), which extends around the Northern Sporades island complex, and is the main action ground of the Hellenic Society for the study and protection of the monk seal (Mom). It should be stated that legislation in Greece is very strict towards the hunting of the seal and that the public in general is very much aware and supportive of the effort for the preservation of the Monachus Monachus. The National Marine Park of Alonnisos – Northern Sporades was the first designated Marine Park in the country and is currently the largest marine protected area in Europe (approximately 2,260 Km2). Besides the sea area, the Park includes Alonnisos (www.alonissos.gr), six smaller islands (Peristera, Kyra Panagia, Gioura, Psathura, Piperi and Skantzoura), as well as 22 uninhabited islets and rocky outcrops. The Northern Sporades island-complex stretches out into the Aegean, east of the Pelion peninsula. On the serene Sporades, life still continues along its old rhythms. Tourism has brought prosperity to these islands without affecting much of their traditional lifestyle, especially on the island of Alonissos.  National Marine Park of Alonnisos – Northern Sporades: Photo Gallery 

The New Acropolis Muzeum: A Guided Tour

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The Guardian’s Kevin Rushby
gets a sneak preview of the £100 million museum in 
Guardian’s Kevin Rushby  that aims to reunite the Parthenon marbles.
View the video at
“New Acropolis Museum: a guided tour”
(25.07.2008 )

Foreign Minister Bakoyannis sent Condolences over Bronislaw Geremek Death

(ATHENS NEWS AGENCY) Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Wednesday sent a message of condolences to her Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski, expressing her deepest condolences over the death of Εurodeputy and former foreign minister Bronislaw Geremek. In a message, Bakoyannis also highlights the “leading role of Bronislaw Geremek in Poland’s political life as well as his contribution to his country’s NATO entry.”   Geremek, 76, a former foreign minister of Poland who helped the Solidarity trade union movement lead the nation’s transformation from communism to democracy, died on Sunday in a car accident near the city of Wielkopolska. (MORE PHOTOS)