Nicosia International Festival opens for 2024

Just as the New Year arrives, the popular Nicosia International Festival will continue its productions and a very busy January and February are scheduled. A classic work of Cretan theatre by Vincenzo Kornaros, Erotokritos will open the 2024 agenda on January 10. Bringing it to the stage will be the National Theatre of Northern Greece under the direction of Argyro Chioti, who previously participated in the festival in 2019.

At first glance, the play seems to be about the obstacle-filled and socially unequal love between the only daughter of King Aretousa of Athens, and the son of the King’s loyal advisor Εrotokritos. Yet it goes beyond being just another epic love story as it sheds light on key current issues relating to the limits of human will and the conflict with contemporary social norms. The performance incorporates a poem, a women’s manifesto written especially for the show by Iranian writer Rahil Fallahfar influenced by the struggles of women in her country.

“A purely revolutionary text,” say organisers, “Erotokritos gave the cast and especially Argyro the opportunity to exploit the very high vibration and the inconceivable power that love has.” Commenting on this, she says: “We very much want this power to be transferred in some way to every decision of humans at any level… It is very important not to be afraid to go to the extremes of your choice at any cost.”

The performance is a contemporary theatrical experience blending narration, music and the rhythm of speech. Besides the actors on stage, Erotokritos includes live music by piano, cello, electric bass and drums and original compositions by Lola Totsiou.

Erotokritos

Production by National Theatre of Northern Greece. Part of the Nicosia International Festival. January 10. Nicosia Municipal Theatre, Nicosia. 8.30pm. in Greek. www.soldoutticketbox.com