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The Cultural Year of Greece in China, Ancient Magnificence, Contemporary Style2007/11/01
text by Mercy Sun The Cultural Year of Greece in China, which officially began on October 17, 2007, in Beijing, offers the Chinese people an unparalleled chance to become acquainted with the customs, traditions, scenic atmosphere, art and architecture of the Greek culture and civilization, but also Greece's sense of contemporary style. Dignitaries attending various opening events included Greek Minister of Culture Michael Liapis and Director-General Wang Zhigang of China's Ministry of Culture. They were joined by the Ambassador of The Hellenic Republic in China, Michael Cambanis. The Cultural Year of Greece, which began informally in September with the Concert Dedicated to Maria Callas at the Poly Theatre and the Alexandros: Paths You Never Walked concert, conducted by Stamatis Spanoudakis, will continue through 2008. The Culture Year of Greece also features archaeological and modern art exhibitions, cinema tributes, concerts of traditional, modern and folk music, drama and dance performances as well as academic conferences and workshops. According to a statement by Greek President Karolos Papoulias, "Both Greece and China are heirs to an immense legacy, which rests on the ideals and achievements of two major civilizations with universal ecumenical importance. "Moreover, the Olympic ideal expresses mankind's desire to build a world based on the rules of fair play, humanism, reconciliation and tolerance." Liapis said, "Bolstering the ties between Greece and China is the main objective of The Cultural Year of Greece in China. It aims to mark out avenues of friendship among countries; to disseminate the Greek culture to China and its people. Additionally, the 'Cultural Year of Greece in China' underscores the escalating significance of cross-cultural exchange at the international level." Several activities heralding the Cultural Year of Greece have been organized, including the Classical Memories in Modern Greek Art exhibition that began at the Beijing Capital Museum on October 18, 2007; it will continue to November 16, 2007. The exhibition portrays the classical spirit of ancient Greece by modern and contemporary Greek artists, with major paintings by the country's famous "Thirties Generation." A themed concert with a stellar cast featuring a brand new work honouring Alexander the Great, Alexandros: The Paths You Never Walked, by the world-renowned Greek composer Stamatis Spanoudakis, written for full symphony orchestra, Greek and Chinese folk instruments and chorus, was performed by the National Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of Greek Radio and Television Corporation (ERT) on October 19, 2007 at Beijing Poly Theatre. A photo exhibition, Greece through the Eyes of Yannis Psilakis, which began on October 19 at the Hellenic Centre on the east side of the Forbidden City (109 Nanheyan Dajie, Dongcheng District), will continue through November 30. The photographs by Greece's leading photographer, Yannis Psilakis, are of landscapes, people, traditions and the country's architecture. According to a greeting statement from Sun Jiazheng, China's minister of culture, "China and Greece have long-standing histories and brilliant civilizations. The Chinese and the Greek people share traditions of prolonged friendship. I believe that The Cultural Year of Greece will provide another valuable opportunity for the Chinese people to get in touch with and appreciate the classic as well as the contemporary arts from Greece and its artists. The Cultural Year of Greece is a bridge for understanding and friendship that will enhance the relations between our two peoples." Ambassador Cambanis said: "I would like to thank the Chinese authorities for their impeccable cooperation as well as the administrative officers of the spaces that will host the cultural activities, most of whom are now friends." Other highlights of the Cultural Year of Greece in China are summarized below: Productions of the ancient comedy Birds by Aristophanes and the more than 2,000-year-old tragedy Ajax by Sophocles shed light on the role of Greece as a "Cradle of Drama." These performances also provide insight into the evolution of drama as an expressive art and, as presented by some of Greece's most eminent modern artists, are sure to inspire contemporary dramatists and actors. A workshop will also be held for students and professionals allowing them to study techniques and themes of ancient drama. Dance performances encompassing traditional dances from a variety of Greek regions, as well as choreographed versions of ancient and modern dramas are highlighted by the Secret Supper performed by Sine Qua Non, one of the most important modern Greek dance troupes, and Medea, a tragedy originally authored by Euripides, to be directed by Dimitris Papaioannou, renowned choreographer and artistic director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Musical performances are highlighted in a concert that will celebrate 2,500 years of Greek music representing the whole gamut of musical tradition, and a performance by the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, featuring works by contemporary Greek musical luminaries as well as a tour of six cities by the Athens State Orchestra. The Cultural Year of Greece will be officially closed with a concert by the State Orchestra directed by S. Xarhakos, offering some of the most celebrated Greek songs by three top Greek singers. The Agon National Archaeological Museum exhibition presents an excellent chance for citizens of the host nation for the 2008 Games to grasp the profound heritage of the Olympics through artefacts displaying themes from the athletic events at the Olympic Games in ancient times amidst the context of poetry, theatre and artistic competitions also to be held at that time. More contemporary themes will be introduced at an exhibition of the works of Yannis Kounellis, who has helped form an international identity for post-World War II European art. A conference is also planned on the restoration of two of the most important monuments of Greek and Chinese civilizations, the Acropolis and the Forbidden City. As part of the Cultural Year of Greece in China, the Hellenic Centre in Central Beijing will be the site of an array of exciting events such as themed exhibitions, conferences, lectures and screenings. The centre is located at 109 Nanheyan Dajie, Dongcheng District, opening from
Theatre
Aristophanes' Birds: Art Theatre Directed by: Karlos Koun Beijing, National Grande Theatre, February 27, 2008
Sophocles' Ajax: Attis Theatre Directed by: Thodoros Terzopoulos Beijing, Beijing Central Academy of Drama, May, 30, 2008
Racine’s Andromaque: National Theatre Directed by: Dimitris Mavrikios Beijing, Meet in Beijing (festival), May—June 2008
Moussais, An Aristophanes Spectacle, Hellenic Festival Directed by: Vassilis Papavassiliou Beijing, National Grande Theatre, September 11, 2008
Opera
Manolis Kalomoiris, The Master Builder, Greek National Opera Directed by: Thomas Moschopoulos Beijing, Meet in Beijing (festival), May—June 2008
Dance
Lykeion Ellhnidon Dance Theatre Shanghai International Festival, October 25—29, 2007
Dora Stratou Greek Dances Theatre Shanghai International Festival, November 14—18, 2007
Sine Qua Non, Secret Supper, Co-directed by: Sine Qua Non Beijing, Beijing Central Academy of Drama, January 18, 2008 Shanghai, Shanghai Concert Hall, January 21, 2008
Medea Directed by: Dimitris Papaioannou Beijing, Meet in Beijing (festival), May—June 2008
Music
Concert by the Beijing Symphony Orchestra: Works by Christou, Xenakis, Skalkotas, Koumentakis and Rachmaninoff Soloist: Dimitris Sgouros Orchestra Directed by Tan Lihua Beijing, Beijing Conservatory of Music, November, 16 2007
Orchestra of the Friends of Music Plays Works by Apergis, Tsontakis, Kouroupos and Hatzis, Kamerata Orchestra Directed by Nikos Tsouchlos Beijing, Beijing Conservatory of Music, November 17, 2007
Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, Concert Dedicated to Nikos Kazantzakis Orchestra Directed by Miron Michailidis Beijing, Forbidden City Concert Hall, December 14, 2007
Athens State Orchestra's China Tour Orchestra Directed by Viron Fidetzis Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Tianjin, December 27, 2007—January 7, 2008
Concert to Celebrate 2,500 Years of Greek Music Direction: Lambros Liavas, Foivos Anogeianakis Museum of Greek Folk Instruments Beijing, Meet in Beijing (festival), May—June 2008 Shanghai, Shanghai Concert Hall, May—June 2008
Concert of Greek Music by the State Orchestra—Official Closing of the Year Orchestra Directed by Stavros Xarhakos Soloists: Maria Farantouri, Dimitra Galani, Manolis Mitsias Beijing, Open Area of the Millenium Museum, September 19, 2008
Exhibitions
Classical Memories in Modern Greek Art Beijing, Capital Museum, October 18—November 16, 2007
Babel Comics Exhibition, Labyrinths Beijing, 798 Art Space, January 12—February 15, 2008
Exhibition of Works by Sophia Vari Beijing, Confucius Temple, March 14—April 20, 2008
Exhibition of Objects and Costumes from the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Artistic Direction: Creative Team for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games Beijing, Capital Museum, March 25—June 25, 2008
Exhibition of Works by Yannis Kounellis Beijing, 798 Art Space, May 31—June 30, 2008
National Archeological Museum, Agon Beijing, Capital Museum, July 22—October 22, 2008
The Influence of Ancient Drama in Opera and the Beijing Opera Theatrical Costumes Exhibition, Melina Merkouri Foundation Beijing, National Grande Theatre, September 2008
Cinema
Thessaloniki International Film Festival, A Tribute to Modern Greek Cinema Beijing Film Academy, February 2008 Shanghai, February 2008
"The Making Of" Documentary About the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games Beijing, July 2008
Books
Greece: Country of Honour at 2008 the Beijing Book Fair Beijing, September 2008
Conferences
Beijing Forum 2007, in Collaboration with Beijing University "Philosophical Thought from Ancient Greece to the Beijing Olympics" Beijing University, November 2—4, 2008
Conference on the Restoration of the Acropolis and the Great Wall of China Beijing, April 2008
Homer In Collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Spring 2008 Workshop
Theatre Workshop at the Beijing Central Academy of Drama Photographic Exhibition from Ancient Drama Performances Conference on Ancient Drama Directed by: Thodoros Terzopoulos Beijing, Central Academy of Drama, April and May 2008
The Hellenic Centre
The Hellenic Centre will be the information centre of the Cultural Year of Greece in China.
Events: * Rotating exhibitions to support the principal events * Lectures * Conferences * Presentation of small dance ensembles * Greek Ministries' booths * "Kerasma" programme of the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board * Greek Tourism Organization booth
Programme HC
Photographic Exhibition: Greece Through the Eyes of Yannis Psilakis Opening Ceremony, The Hellenic Centre, October 19—November 30, 2007
Screening of Documentary, The Olympic Games in Ancient Greece, by Markos Holevas, November 2007 Nikos Kazantzakis Week December 2007
Exhibition on Odysseas Elytis March 2008
Photographic Exhibition: Restoration Work on the Acropolis April—May 2008
Exhibition on Giorgos Seferis April—May 2008
Exhibition, Praise for the Olive July 2008
Exhibition of the International Olympic Truce Center August 2008
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