The Oracles of Water

Venue type
Archaeological Site

Premiere date

Location
Archaeological site of Delphi, Fokis, Greece
Status
Past
Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Cover image

The "The Oracles of Water" is an interactive and participatory site-specific event that links climate change and the global water crisis with the mythology and worship of Apollo at Delphi. A young environmental scientist, after a foreboding dream of all water sources drying up, visits Delphi seeking an oracle from Apollo about the future of water. From the vast Delphic landscape and the Omphalos of the Earth, the Pythia, Mnemosyne, and the Muses deliver a global message about water. This performance weaves together themes of global warming and water pollution, connecting Science, Philosophy, Mythology, and Performing Arts.

I am a child of Earth and starry Heaven, but descended from Heaven, I am parched with thirst and dying: quickly, give me the cool water flowing from Memory’s lake.

The Gold Tablet /  Orphic inscription, Thessaly, 4th century BC

The performance consists of two parts. The first part takes place at 6.30-7.30 am, with the sunrise, at the Temple of Athena Pronaia, and the second part at 20.00-21.10 at the archaeological site of Delphi and the Temple of Apollo a major part of the Panhellenic religious sanctuary located in Central Greece at Delphi. 6th century B.C.E, The 'Tholos' is part of the Delphi UNESCO World Heritage Site.

An amazing artistic team contributed to making The Oracles Of Water a memorable performance, with an original music score by Trifon Koutsourelis, texts by Panos Gkiokas, lighting design by Valentina Tamiolaki and sculptures / costumes by visual artist Yiannis Brouzos. 

The Oracles Of Water is performed by 12 performers: 
Dimitris Gotsopoulos, Maria Papageorgiou, Apostolia Papadamaki, Mary Giannoula, Maria Penelope Kasidokosta, Christianna Katsimprakis, Konstantina Liontou, Evini Pantelaki, Maria Papakonstantinou, Iliana Paraskevopoulou, Natasha Sarantopoulou, Dafni Stathatou

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Gkotsopoulos

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / The muses

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Maria Papageorgiou

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Apostolia Papadamaki

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Apostolia Papadamaki

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Tholos and the performers

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Gkotsopoulos and the muses

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Gkotsopoulos and the muses

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Maria Papageorgiou performing on the temple of Apollo in Delphi

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Performance on the sacred Delphi

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Maria Papageorgiou on the sacred stage

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Natasa Sarantopoulou

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Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Daphne

Credits

Direction, choreography: Apostolia Papadamaki
Original music: Trifon Koutsourelis
Dramaturgy: Apostolia Papadamaki, Panagiotis Giokas
Original text writing, lyrics: Panagiotis Giokas
Lighting: Valentina Tamiolaki
Sculptures / Props: Ioannis Brouzos
Head of Photography, Graphic & Visual designer: Areion Stefanidis
Cinematographer: Dimitris Sidirokastritis 

On Stage

Researcher/Archaeologist: Dimitris Gotsopoulos
Pythia-The Oracle Woman:Maria Papageorgiou  
Mnemosyne: Apostolia Papadamaki

The 9 Muses: Mary Giannoula / Euterpe, Maria Penelope Kasidokosta / Cleo, Christianna Katsimprakis / Calliope, Konstantina Liontou / Erato, Evini Pantelaki / Urania,  Maria Papakonstantinou / Terpsichore, Iliana Paraskevopoulou / Polyhymnia, Natasha Sarantopoulou / Melpomene, Dafni Stathatou / Thaleia 

Musicians on stage: Violin/ Migen Selmani, Cello/Lefki Kolovou, Harp/Sissy Makropoulou, Electronics/Trifon Koutsourelis

Assistant Director: George Palios
Assistant Choreographer: Konstantina Liontou

Scientific collaborators:
Marilena Tsakoumaki, Dr. Archaeologist
Alexandra Silvestrou (Sustainability Consultant - MSc in Sustainable Development)
Eleni Koulizaki (Teaching pronunciation and prosody of the Ancient Greek Language) ​​

Production Management: MENTOR / Panagiotis Gkiokas, Virginia Vassilakou, Yiannis Pappas
Communication & Promotion: MENTOR
Press Office: Nicole Votsi
Production of dancers' dresses: Victoria Giannaki ​​

Volunteer coordination: Dimitra Tsenesidou
Volunteers: Paraskevi Bakis, Alia Kontelli, Claudia Lopez, Luisa Mayhew, Iris Meyer, Electra Oikonomidou, Isidora Papagiannakou, Maritina Papagiannakou, Vasiliki Papali, Mariana dos Reis, Vasiliki SamartziIoanna Sylaidopoulou, Eleftheria Tourkantoni, Eleni Tsoumbou, Christina Zambas

The performance is implemented within the framework of the 2023 program “All of Greece, One Culture" by the Ministry of Culture.
Εxclusive sponsor: AQUA Carpatica
With the support of the Greek National Tourism Organisation and in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of Phocis.

We would also like to give special thanks to Vorres Museum, Holy Ginger, Forca Divina Foundation and to every individual who supported the performance. 

Anamnesis Delphi - The Oracles of Water / Official poster