AS ABOVE SO BELOW
Sanctuary of the Cabeiri, Lemnos island, Greece
“As Above So Below” invites audiences to contemplate how the destructive fire experienced by the refugees of Smyrna is transformed into the sacred fire of the mystical Cabeiri.
An Invitation
'As Above So Below' invites audiences to contemplate how the destructive fire experienced by the refugees of Smyrna is transformed into the sacred fire of the mystical Cabeiri. It serves as a remembrance of the Greek civilization, perpetually reborn from its ashes.
The Cabeiri carry the remembrance of the rebirth of humanity's spirit through the Sacred Fire of Hephaestus—an enduring reminder that Greek Culture is perpetually reborn from its ashes.
The performance showcased an original musical composition by Trifon Koutsourelis, and an original text by Panos Gkiokas, accompanied by Valentina Tamiolaki's lighting design, enhancing the immersive experience for the audience. Renowned performers Savina Yannatou and Maria Papageorgiou, along with actor Thanassis Efthymiadis and six professional dancers, collaborated to immerse the audience in a ritualistic exploration of Greek cultural history—from its inception to destruction to eventual rebirth.
Director and choreographer Apostolia Papadamaki embarked on an artistic journey to explore timeless and indivisible concepts that activate the forces of Greek culture, encompassing survival, rebirth, and progress, expressed through the lens of time and light.
Supporting Organisations & Sponsors
The performance was part of the 2022 “All of Greece, one Culture” program by the Ministry of Culture. It was implemented in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of Lesbos and the Greek National Tourism Organisation.
Media sponsors: ERT N. Aegean, Culture Now, Theatermag, Enallaktikos
Premiere: 12/08/2022
As Above So Below
Credits
Direction, choreography
Apostolia Papadamaki
Original music
Trifon Koutsourelis
Dramaturgy
Apostolia Papadamaki, Panagiotis Giokas
Original text writing
Panagiotis Giokas
Costume design
Ifigeneia Daoudaki
Lighting design
Valentina Tamiolaki
Assistant Choreographer
Konstantina Liontou
On Stage
Savina Yannatou: Refugee Mother / Great Mother - Axieros
Maria Papageorgiou: Axiocersa / Cabeirus
Thanassis Efthymiadis: Axiocersus / Cabeirus
Apostolia Papadamaki: Cadmilus - Hermes / Cabeirus
Dancers / Cabeiroi: Spyros Christakis, Plotinos Eliades, Konstantina Liontou, Maria
Papakonstantinou, Natasha Sarantopoulou, Antonis Strouzas.
Children volunteer performers: Sophia Fotiadou, Nadia Gkouva, Iassonas Kallianis, Myrto Karanika, Fotini Katti, Georgia Mavraki, Nikolaos Mavrakis, Polymnia Pomoni, Chryssi Vavatsika.
Adult volunteer performers: Chryssoula Archontidou, Elli Chalkidou, Victoria Giannaki, Maria Gkiorgkine, Makis Kallianis, Jenny Karapiperi, Eleni Kontelli, Eleni Koustoulidi, Vaya Mastroyannopoulou, Chryssanthi Michlizoglou, Irene Mylona, George Palios, Christianna Skiada, Eleni Tzivaki, Serafim Vavatsikas, Andreas Vitoratos, Ioanna Vlachogianni, Elina Zambouni.
Scientific collaborators: Dr Pavlos Triantafyllidis, archaeologist and supervisor at the Ephorate of Antiquities of Lesbos, Malamo Mari, Archaeologist.
Production: MENTOR / Panagiotis Gkiokas, Virginia Vassilakou, Yannis Pappas
Marketing & Communication: MENTOR
Press Office: Nicole Votsi
Photography, Graphic & Visual Designer: Areion Stefanidis
Video documentation: Pandelis Ladas
Special thanks to ms Eleni Koulizaki for teaching pronunciation and prosody of the Ancient Greek Language and to Dr. Athina Despoina Potari for contributing of the selection of Ancient Greek texts.