All posts by IN ThessnA

Uncategorized

"Madame Soussou", from the State Theater of Northern Greece

Premiere on Friday 10 February
The State Theater of Northern Greece presents the play "Madame Sousou" by Dimitris Psathas, directed by Giorgos Armenis. The unsurpassed comedy of Dimitris Psathas, will be performed at the Royal Theatre, with Fotini Baxevanis in the leading role. The premiere of the show will be given on Friday 10 February.

This is an extremely rare theatrical adaptation made by the author himself for Mrs. Katerina's troupe, (with Emilios Veakis in the role of Panagiotakis) the 1942, and has not reappeared since.

Source : newsbeast.gr
Uncategorized

Alkinoos Ioannidis returns to live appearances

For three Fridays
03.02.2012 to 18.02.2012
THEAlkinoos Ioannidis begins at 3 February a small series of six concerts with new sound, orchestral and visual approach, In "Theater", of the Culture Center “Greek world”.

The singer returns to live appearances After the release of the double Live CD entitled “Glass” and of the collection “Harvest”, containing all of his personal disks from the 1997 up to the present day, together with prints of works from their covers.
In this new program he presents songs from his personal discography as well as choices by songs by other creators, enough of them for the first time.
Source : elculture.gr
Uncategorized

Global SOS for monuments

IN A’ ATHENS CEMETERY
The Cemetery is on the list of monuments at risk for the 2012, as it faces huge problems, even statics for some of his tombstones.
The homeland sleeps deeper than "Sleeping" by Giannoulis Halepas when it comes to its monuments. Not the ancient or Byzantine ones. Not even the abandoned ones. The A’ Cemetery of Athens is one of the most important "living" monuments of the country. However, is on the list of monuments in danger for the 2012.
The list is drawn up by the World Monuments Fund and the Cemetery was found there as it faces huge problems, even statically, for some of his tombstones. The application-proposal for inclusion was made by the Municipality of Athens itself, in order to garner both the spotlight and help.
As stated in the relevant text on the organization's website, the A’ Cemetery is the oldest in the capital. It was created 1830, shortly after the establishment of the new Greek state.
There rest many men and women who brightened our public life: politicians, heroes of the Revolution, artists etc. The old man of Moria is buried there, Melina Mercouri and Jules Dassin, George Seferis, Costas Varnalis, Manos Katrakis, Tasos Livaditis, Elli Lampeti and many more people from those who glorified the name of Greece.
Among his tombstones there are many important examples of neoclassicism from the 19th as well as the 20th century: huts and temples built on tombs as well as tombstones and other structures.
Many of them present enormous problems today, even static and must urgently receive first aid.
Also the surface of the marble architectural members and sculptures shows massive corrosion – the best-known statue that has been in danger for decades is the beautiful "Sleeping" of Halepa. As time passes, without measures being taken, these problems grow. Until at some point they will be impossible to deal with.
Greece's poor financial situation is currently a reality. But also before, in times when the finances of the state were better, no one showed any interest in this important monument.
No one took steps to encourage the preservation of the sculptural treasures that exist there. Even legal problems - since monuments have owners who sometimes do not consent to their removal or repair- are an inhibitory factor. The root cause, Nevertheless, it is the absence of any will on the part of the state.

Ephesus and Hagia Sophia
The monuments included in the list of the Organization for the 2012 it's a lot – from our country only this. From our neighboring Turkey Aphrodisias is an ancient city that often makes this list as does Ephesus (the second due to high traffic, without taking parallel measures).
also, for several years it was Hagia Sophia until openings in its roof were restored and rainwater stopped entering, which spoiled the famous Byzantine mosaics found under the whitewashed surfaces of the walls.
Being on the list is a step towards taking some action with help, even with financing, of the Global Fund. But the funding is not so high as to be able to solve the problem. For’ therefore additional and many measures are required. Let's hope the motherland wakes up in time.
  • In Cyprus
    From Cyprus to the list of the Organization for the 2012 the medieval city of Famagusta has been included.
 Source : ethnos.gr
Uncategorized

Alkistis Protopsalti and Evanthia Reboutsika at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall

Alkistis Protopsalti and Evanthia Reboutsika travel their music and songs in Thessaloniki, at the Concert Hall, at 10 and 11 February.
They will present songs flooded with the light of Greece, with sounds that smell of the East but also wink at the West, a program that stirs with its passion and power filling our hearts with tenderness and sensitivity.
“Spice, cinnamon and celebration",  the title of the show, inspired by a song by the Citizen Kitchen to "exorcise" evil, still in a festive mood and many emotions!
Alkistis Protopsalti reports characteristics: "Evanthia's music transports you to something very familiar, in smells and perfumes, to something very familiar, like Sunday afternoon at mom's house where everything is musky. The way she plays her lovely violin encapsulates melancholy and joy in equal measure, it hits you right in the heart".
Evanthia Reboutsika adds: "Where I was looking to find the nightingale of the East outside of Greece, I found it in front of me chirping. I was moved by the colors and aromas of her voice and it inspired me to record new songs but also to unite musically on stage".
One voice, a violin and a special orchestra that emits fire, with each musician playing 2-3 instruments… canon, accordion, trumpet, cello, lute, metallophone, piano, kahon, upright bass, astride, crust, tambourines, guitar, mandolin.
Alkistis Protopsalti and Evanthia Reboutsika will fill our hearts, they will embrace our dreams and take us on a musical journey to Greece, Istanbul, Egypt, the Balkans, in a program that the public of Athens adored!
Source : culturenow.gr
Uncategorized

Ancient Greek port next to Constantinople

It is dated to the 2nd BC. X. century and is located at a distance 20 kilometers from the city

A port from the Roman era and next to it an older one, which presents Greek elements and dates back to the 2nd BC. X. century have been brought to light by the excavations carried out in Constantinople at a distance 20 kilometers from the city, on a small peninsula of the Kyutsukcekmetse lake.

The first has already been identified as it is believed to be the city of Vathonea, some ruins of which are submerged in the waters of the lake. Bathonea came to light for the first time in 2007, after a dry spell, when the water level of the lake went down. Then it was discovered that the port was hiding a huge treasure of ancient artifacts, dating from the 4th to the 6th century AD. X., that is, the period, in which Constantinople was founded.

Harbor walls, well-built multi-storey buildings that may have belonged to a mansion or palace, a huge outdoor tank, a Byzantine temple of the 5th or 6th century that was built on the foundations of an ancient Greek temple, a cemetery of the same era as well as stone-built roads were brought to light by archaeologists during the last excavation period in the area of ​​the smaller port. Currency, pottery and other findings besides, suggest that the church was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 557 but remained in use until the 1037, when another earthquake completely demolished it.
As is obvious, the specific area had continuous habitation and activity since the ancient Greek era. As announced by the Turkish archaeologists who are carrying out the excavations, the settlement was very large since it seems to have extended at least to 7,8 square km. The harbor walls are also long, which reaches at least half the length of the walls of Constantinople.
The possibility that this was a resort of the time is something that is being investigated, however, the name Vathoneas is not certain either, as the reports about her, derived from ancient and Byzantine sources are unclear. In particular, Pliny the Elder speaks in his "Natural History" of a river called Bathynia, which flows into the lake.

While a Byzantine monk, Saint Theophanes the Confessor mentions a region in the 9th century, who calls her Vathyasos.

However, glass objects and ceramics dating back to the 14th century were found at the site, but also plinths with the inscription KONCTANS, of the 5th m. X. century. Other findings also show the city's commercial relations with distant regions such as Palestine and Syria. However, its relationship with Constantinople remains unclear although it could have served both merchant ships and the empire's fleet as a safe harbor outside the city walls.. As is well known, Constantinople had ports in the Horned Gulf and the Sea of ​​Marmara.
The discovery of a building structure at the bottom of the lake is also interesting, which probably belonged to a lighthouse. And if this is verified, it will be one of only three Roman lighthouses, which are known to have existed in the eastern Mediterranean, next to those of Alexandria and Patara (ancient city and port of Lycia in Asia Minor).
Source : tovima.gr
Uncategorized

Modern art is inspired by Byzantine art

Exhibition of a Danish artist at the Byzantine Museum
The Danish painter and sculptor was inspired by Byzantine art, writer and poetPer Kirkebywho presents his works at the Byzantine and Christian Museum from February 1 in an exhibition entitled "A creative dialogue with Byzantine art".

Kirkeby's works, however, are not copies of religious icons or theological scenes, although the viewer can detect some colors in them, shapes, structures but also topics related to the Byzantine tradition, but which are included in his work in a completely personal way.

Per Kirkeby (Copenhagen 1938) is one of the most important exponents of neo-expressionism in Denmark but his work is presented for the first time in Greece – although it has previously been exhibited in important foreign museums such as the Tate Modern in London, the National Museum of Contemporary Art-Center Georges Pompidou in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York. Not long after that, his exhibition is organized at the "Palais des Beaux Arts", in Brussels.
They are presented in Athens 29 his works and the exhibition is curated byMichael Wiebel, art historian, scholar of his work while the organization, which has been undertaken by the Danish embassy in Greece, is under the auspices of the Danish Presidency of the European Union.
The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated catalog with texts by the artist, the curator as well as the director of the museumAnastasia Lazaridou. As part of the exhibition, which will last until March 24 2012, thematic lectures and other parallel activities will be held.
Source : tovima.gr
Uncategorized

Uncle Vanias from the historic Moscow Theater in Badminton

When one of the most importanttheatersof Europe, ofEvgeniy Vakhtagov(Vakhtangov) and a director with a unique
vision (Rim Tumin) join forces then we can only talk about an improbable, genius result.
A new subversive look at a classic masterpiece of Russian drama and a subversive theater, history, mythical, which carries in its scrolls the glory and the fragrance of allRussian theater. A wonderful one, almost mystical, meeting that we will have the unique opportunity to enjoy in Badminton, exactly as it was first performed in the theater itselfEugene Vakhtangovat 2 September of 2009.
Then the active reaction of the public, as well as the Russians, but also of foreign critics led even the Minister of Culture A. Avdeev to say characteristically that "this production is an amazing re-examination of Chekhov" expressing at the same time the certainty of its great worldwide success. Of course he was justified!
The vision of a theater group that could shake up the stagnant waters of the Moscow theater establishment, born in 1911 through the eyes and thoughts of a director and actor, by Eugene Vakhtangov. During his tenure the promising new theater saw itself steal the limelight from the rest of the more commercial "offshoots" of the Moscow Art Theater with just two productions (Maeterlinkck: The Miracle of St. Anthony 1921 by Gozzi : Turandor-1922).
That's how it is 1926, as expected, the theater was finally baptized with the name of its creator and the most important Russian directors rush to become part of his vision(Meyerhold, Popov, Zavadsky and Akimov). Especially Akimov's unorthodox translation of Hamlet with Shostakovich's music, the 1932, she was the one who introduced this theatrical microcosm to the whole world and caused the first waves of admiration inside and outside of Russia.
Among the important also directors, that run to contribute to the myth, we also discover Okhlopkov and Pogodin as well as a whole series of brilliant young creators who lead decade after decadeVakhtangov Theaterin the 21st century. The high artistic standards and the subversive look they introduce with each of their performances succeed to this day and keep it in its place, perhaps Russia's greatest theatrical myth.
One of those brilliant young creators, it's also Rimas Tuminas and it's not the first time he's produced a Chekhov play. The Three Sisters and his Cherry Orchard, they won public and critical acclaim. Chekhov's plays offer ground for exploration, clarification of the essence, justification of the species. Every Tuminas production is a new step towards the meaning of that mysterious word 'comedy', which so belies the context of the plot. Uncle Vanya's production has already been recognized as one of the best events of recent seasons in Moscow, while the work of S.Makovetsky and V.Simonov deserves to be mentioned in the world encyclopedia of theater.
The most interesting of course in the case of Rimas Tuminas, it is the way he perceives and "translates" this Russian classic masterpiece. No,  he didn't vandalize either, nor rewrite the text, didn't cut it either. Just read the text again, as if there were no interpretations before him. Why, there is nothing ordinary, beautiful, intimate. Chekhov's mansion surrounded by gardens does not exist, there are no comfortable armchairs, nor a table laid with a lace tablecloth and a warm samovar, nor the sense of a Home where many generations have lived... There is only empty space, deserted by life, the theater space with the gray corridors, an alabaster lion – a symbol of St. Petersburg – may be the birthplace of the ancestor who built the mansion, there is a workbench with rough slabs, an old sofa and several chairs.
Chekhov's characters, as Tuminas saw them and as embodied by the actors, strongly remind us of a part of ourselves. They live in conditions of conflicting ambitions, philosophize, they work hard or they are lazy, serve and consume. They are very different, but also similar – everyone's life went wrong. Why; We discover this from scene to scene, from the dialogues, the fights, revelations and sarcasm. People discover the principles of the theater of the absurd in the works of Chekhov. His characters say something and then do something else, while they think in a completely different way. Tuminas' Uncle Vanya deals with what the characters think and confess in times of spiritual turmoil. Sometimes they are incoherent, like Uncle Vanya or very violent, like Astrov. But their confessions burst forth from their souls so impetuously, like stepping out of a stuffy room into the fresh air.
"Our Uncle Vanias is needed today to support us, let's not be cynical, rude, unconscious people", λέει ο Rimas Tuminas. “With everything he faced in his life, he did not lose the virtue of honesty and continued to work. Near our theater, there is a monument to Princess Turandot. Maybe we should build a monument to Uncle Vanya".
In the best show for the 150 years of Chekhov, from the great Vagtagov Theater with the 100 years of theatrical history star, including, the award-winning "People's Artists" Sergey Macovetsky;, Ludmila Maksakova, Vladimir Simonov, Anna Dubrovskaya, Yury Kraskov και Galina Konovalova.
 
RIM TUMINAS (Artistic Director)
Winner of the State Prize of the Russian Federation and the Zolotaya Maska Russian Theater Prize.
He was born on 20 January 1952 in the city of Kelme (Lithuania). During the period 1970 – 1974 studied at the Lithuanian Conservatory. The 1978 graduated from the production department of GITIS (class of I. Tumanov). His first production was the play January by J. Radickov (1978) at the Drama Theater of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, while his first production in Moscow was O.Zagradnik's Peacock Tune (1979) at the K.S.Stanislavsky Theater. From the 1979 up to 1990, worked at the State Academic Dramatic Theater of Lithuania (State Academic Drama Theater of Lithuania), and from 1994 became its art director. The 1999, Tuminas left the theater, with the last productions being Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (1998) and Shakespeare's Richard III (1999). Rimas Tuminas directed more than 20 plays in many theaters in Lithuania and abroad. His work abroad includes Theios Vanias (1992) and the Seagull (1993) of Chekhov in Finland, and Moliere's Don Juan in Iceland (1995). The 1990, Tuminas founded the Small Theater of Vilnius (Small Theater of Vilnius).
There, the following productions were presented: Chekhov's Cherry Orchard (1990), Brecht's Galileo (1991), God, Smile to Us του G.Kanovichus (1994), Masquerade by M. Lermontov (1997), which also traveled abroad. (Finland, Sweden, Poland, Iceland, Ms.)  Tuminas' productions successfully participate in festivals such as the International Baltic Theater Spring, Baltic House, Life, Contact, International Chekhov Theatre Festival, etc. After the successful show Masquerade, which won the Russian National Theater Award Zolotaya Maska in the category "Best Foreign Production 1998" in Moscow and within the framework of the 3rd Chekhov Festival, Tuminas was invited to the Sovremennik Theater, where he produced Playing… Schiller! the 2000. The 2002, on the stage of the E.Vakhtangov Theater, Rimas Tuminas produced Gogol's The Inspector General. The 2007, after the death of M.A. Ulyanov, Tuminas accepted the proposal of the Federal Service for Culture and Cinema and the management of the E.Vakhtangov Theater, to become the Artistic Director of the Theatre.
Source : culturenow.gr