PROMETHEAN CHAIN
Museo Sigismondo Castromediano, Lecce, Italy
From the archaic exhibits of the Museo Castromediano to the imposing sculptures of Costas Varotsos, and with the participation of over 50 volunteers from the city of Lecce and 10 talented performers from the Accademia Mediterranea dell’Attore, Promethean Chain / Anamnesis draws inspiration from the myth of Prometheus.
At the heart of the site-specific performance Promethean Chain / Anamnesis lies a timeless question: Can humanity become its own savior?
We all know the story of Prometheus, the ancient Titan who stole fire from the gods and gifted it to humanity granting them knowledge, creativity, and self-awareness. Enraged by this defiance, Zeus condemned him to eternal punishment, chaining him to a rock where an eagle perpetually devoured his insides.
Aeschylus immortalized this myth in his tragedy Prometheus Bound. Prometheus is the rebel who challenges the gods, defies tyranny, and fights against darkness to free humanity from its chains.
In just ten days, we created an interactive performance where the myth of Prometheus becomes a mirror, inviting participants to confront the chains they carry—whether imposed or self-created—and to recognize their power to break free.
In this performance, the audience does not simply watch; they are active participants in a cycle of remembrance and liberation. Interaction reveals that humanity is like a chain: each link affects the others, and every moment holds the potential to free the Prometheus within us. It is an invitation to demand a better humanity, a brighter present, and a future filled with hope.
Director and choreographer Apostolia Papadamaki delved into the myth of Prometheus, as a symbol of knowledge, self-awareness, and collective responsibility, reminding us that we shape our reality. His fire, the eternal spark of creativity and consciousness, lives on through our breath—without it, there can be no future.
Supporting Organisations & Sponsors
The performance Promethean Chain was commissioned by the Accademia Mediterranea dell'Attore and the Museo Castromediano Lecce as part of the Tempora/Contempora Winter Edition 2024.
This site-specific work was created and presented within the framework of the exhibition “Elpís: Prometheus or the Broken Dream of Europe” by renowned Greek sculptor Costas Varotsos. Curated by Giusi Giaracuni and Luigi De Luca, the project was supported by the Contemporary Art Plan PAC 2022-2023, under the auspices of the Directorate-General for Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture.
Premiere: 07/12/2024
Promethean Chain
Direction & Choreography
Apostolia Papadamaki
Original music
Trifon Koutsourelis
Dramaturgy and Chorus text
Apostolia Papadamaki
Protagonist’s text
Excerpts from Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus
Credits
Protagonists: Lorenzo Paladini, Samuele Spagnolo, Nicolò Ritrovato, Luigi Simmini, Mauro Perrone, Fausto Gualtieri, Gabriele Costantini, Marco De Santis, Simone Imbriani.
Chorus Members:
Maria Agostinacchio, Antonella Arcuti, Loredana Biondo, Biancamaria Cavaliere, Sara Colonna, Federico Conversano, Antonella Delle Noci, Mariella Galetta, Gabriella Luperto, Lavinia Masciolino, Titti Mastria, Bernardino Moschini, Eugenio Rollo, Cesare Romanello, Anna Chiara Solfini, Frida Stefano, Marinella Tre, Daniela Viggiani
Students from Liceo Palmieri:
Marta Carrafa, Arianna De Giglio, Sofia De Maglio, Federica Leuzzi, Francesca Maniglia, Melita Marchello, Emma Mortari, Sofia Nuzzo, Cristina Paladini, Martina Petrillo, Vittoria Ratano Lubelli, Claudia Sano, Rebecca Serrone
Students from Liceo Ciardo-Pellegrino:
Asia Bernardi
SAI Arci Lecce Solidarietà Participants:
Raziyeh Eyvazi, Djamal Zakary
On Stage
Curators: Luigi De Luca and Franco Ungaro
Organization: Vania Fazio, Rebecca Scotellaro, Martina De Giorgi, Chiara Ungaro
Photography: Marco Rizzini
Photography: Raffaele Puce
Assistants Directors: Miriana Moschetti, Daniela Nisi, Sofia Annese, Samira Mancino
Masks (Protagonists): Sebastiano Nuzzo.
Production Management: AMA-Accademia Mediterranea dell'Attore