2024 /// SITE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE ///I_LEFT PONTOS /// ELEUSIS 2023 //EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE
Amidst the tall trees of the Oasis that used to function as a camping area, the site-specific theatrical performance I_LEFT Pontos explores and narrates an underlit part of Greek history. Members of the community share their family history: the younger ones as it was passed down to them, while the older recount their personal experiences as they lived it. These narratives, unfold either with humor or with tears in the eyes, reflecting the eternal trauma inflicted by the Pontian Greek genocide, a tragedy that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of refugees of all ages. Each story encapsulates the timeless resilience inherited across generations, a testament to the unwavering determination to preserve their deep-rooted shared memory across two, three, and sometimes even four generations.
Within this rich tapestry of oral history, the diverse nature of the events unfolds. Each family member presents the events through their own unique perspective, resulting in a captivating, at times comedic, and often unpredictable collage of narratives, that moves between testimony, hope and reverence.
I_LEFT Pontos concludes the I_LEFT trilogy, a project conceived and directed by Yolanda Markopoulou, focusing on the refugee narrative centered around the city of Elefsina. This trilogy comprises three site-specific theatrical performances: I_LEFT by the Station Athens group (2018), I_LEFT Asia Minor (first presented in 2019), and now, I_LEFT Pontos. These productions employ a blend of visual and performing arts, alongside digital technology, to bring these stories to life.
Concept – Direction: Yolanda Markopoulou
Research Collaborator – Community Coordinator: Constantina Georgiou
Video Design: Mavra Gidia & Yolanda Markopoulou
Technical and Lighting Design: Konstantina Evangelou, Vassilios Ntovros
Musical Supervision: Ilias Yfantidis
Sound Design: Manolis Manoussakis
Dance Instructor: Sofia Savvoulidou
Stage Manager: Ioanna Valsamidou
Photographer: Elina Giounanli
Technical Manager: Nikos Charalampidis
Translation / English Surtitles: Melissanthi Giannousi
Production Manager: Vicky Strataki
Executive Production: POLYPLANITY Productions
A production by 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture
Participants (in alphabetical order):
Angela Adjamalidou, Yiannis Anthopoulos, Efstathia Athanasiadou, Anastasia Bayramidou, Spyridoula Dioleti, Paris Dioletis, Despina Efthymiadou, Maria Eliadi, Elias Fotiadis, Veronica Gregorian, Olga Ionidou, Maria Karakasidi, Nikos Kosmidis, Sofia Kosmidi-Pantelidi, Stella Kosmidi, Yorgos Lachanas, Margarita Louka, Nefeli Maria Christina Louka, Demosthenis Loukas, Margarita Pantelidi-Louka, Parthena Pantelidi, Christos Pantelidis, Konstantinos Pantelidis, Pavlos Pantelidis, Victoras Pantelidis, Philippos Parcharidis, Ourania Semertzidi, Zenovia Sidiropoulou, Yorgos Stefanidis, Anastasios Symeonidis, Haris Symeonidis, Valanto Thanopoulou, Ilias Yfantidis
With the support of the Pontian Association of Elefsina «New Trebizond» and mind the fact.
With the active participation of the «New Trebizond» Pontian Association of Elefsina.
A special thanks to Ms. Sofia Kosmidi, President of the Association, for her invaluable contributions to the research and organisation of the performance.
Mystery 13 I_LEFT took place in the context of the international multimedia festival ΣΥΝΟΙΚΙΣΜΟΙ A FESTIVAL, 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture.
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