The Circle of Life

Birth, death. The beginning, the end. The end that marks a beginning...

The circle of human existence is the concept, which the Ayioi Omologites Cultural Workshop will try to explore in a performance that combines the most important elements underlying demotic and popular tradition: narration, music and dance. Childhood, adulthood, labour, love, forced estrangement (xenitia) – all important milestones in life have found their reflection in the national folklore. Through the clarity of oral poetry, through the naturally attained simplicity of traditional music, through the deeply stirring experience of folk dance and the imposing ritual practices, people used to express their collective perception of life and death, their joys and sorrows, their agonies and superstitions.

The Ayioi Omologites Cultural Workshop with the contribution of the University of Athens Dance Club will follow the circle of life, presenting the best examples of folk creativity from different regions of the historical Hellenic world – Cyprus, the Greek islands, Western Thrace, Eastern Rumelia and Epirus.

Featuring members of the Ayioi Omologites Cultural Workshop and musicians Members of the University of Athens Dance Club