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The Ritsos Project is an annual festival of the fine arts that celebrates the artistic legacy of the great Greek poet and intellectual, Yiannis Ritsos (1909-1990).
The main feature of the 2016 Ritsos Project takes its title from the Ancient Greek word Κáθαρσις (Catharsis) – meaning a cleansing or purification of emotions (particularly those of pity and/or fear) through art.
The tumultuous global events of the last 12 months pose challenges to us as artists. What does the practice of our art mean in the midst of austerity, capital controls, or during the migrant crisis? How can we use art to respond to these events and to counteract the fear driven responses we find around us? How can art be cathartic?
This year the festival is returning to Athens for a collaborative concert at the Vrysaky, bringing together the photographs of Chrysostomos Galathris with music that spans the second half the Twentieth Century.
This year the festival is returning to Athens for a collaborative concert at the Vrysaky, bringing together the photographs of Chrysostomos Galathris with music that spans the second half the Twentieth Century.
From 1927-31, Yiannis Ritsos, suffering from tuberculosis, was confined to a sanatorium in the outskirts of Athens. Galathris’s work revisits the site of the now abandoned sanatorium, re-imagining the space, and infusing it with the same dream-like quality that underscores much of Ritsos’s own poetry from the late 1930s onwards.
This program will be expanded in the final concert in Karlovasi, Samos, featuring guest poet, Özdemir İnce and Donoussa Theatre Director, Anastasia Andreadis.
The Program of The Ritsos Project 2016
Thursday, July 21, 9:30 pm
Vrysaki, Athens - Catharsis/Κáθαρσις
A special exhibition/concert featuring works of photographer Chrysostomos Galathris and the Ritsos Project Ensemble.
Sunday, July 24, 9:00 pm
Karlovasi Town Hall – Recital
A recital of atmospheric chamber music and solo works with guitar, flute, trumpet, saxophone, and piano spanning 1500 – 1920s.
Monday, July 25, 9:00 pm
Karlovasi Town Hall – Recital
A second recital of chamber music solo works with guitar, flute, trumpet, saxophone, and piano from the 20th Century.
Wednesday, July 27, 10:00am – 12:30 pm
Karlovasi Town Hall – Children’s Workshop
A free music class for the children of Samos with teachers from the Pythagorios Music School and musicians from the Eastman School of Music (New York) with Eri Ritsou
Wednesday, July 27, 9:00 pm
Karlovasi Town Hall – Children’s Concert
The children from the morning’s workshop will take to the stage with their teachers to present a concert of songs, and newly created works of their own.
Thursday, July 28, 9:00 pm
Karlovasi Town Hall – Pianist Yoshiko Arahata & the Samart Youth Choir of Vathy
The Samart Youth Choir, directed by Giorgos Koumaradios, is joined by pianist Yoshiko Arahata in a mixed recital of songs from around the world, and the piano music of Federico Mompou.
Saturday, July 30, 9:00 pm
Karlovasi Town Hall – Catharsis/Κáθαρσις
A special exhibition/concert featuring guest poet, Özdemir İnce, photographer Chrysostomos Galathris, Donoussa Theatre Director, Anastasia Andreadis, and the Ritsos Project Ensemble.
The Ritsos Ensemble Musicians:
Aristéa Mellos, piano, Australia/Greece (Festival Director)
Yoshiko Arahata, piano, Japan
Arda Cabaoglu, trumpet, Turkey
Josinaldo Costa, guitar, Brazil
Phil Pierick, saxophone, USA
Zach Sheets, flute, USA
Donousa Theatre:
Anastasia Andreadis
Special Guests:
Eri Ritsou
Ozdemir Ince
Chrysostomos Galathris
The Pythagorios Music School & "SamArt" Music Program's Youth choir:
Manos Parianos
Dimitra Tsakania
Giorgos Koumaradios