GENERATIONS of both young and old have enjoyed the shadow theatre performances with the character of Karagiozi, the quintessentially Greek buffoon. The tradition of this kind of puppet theatre stems from the East, and is an art form of its own. Now, it is being put in the spotlight via a festival in the heart of Athens. The first festival of contemporary shadow theatre, entitled ‘Pou Pas, vre Karagiozi’, (where are you going, Karagiozi?), opens its doors today, at 6pm, Friday 18th February, at the historic Romantzo building near Omonoia Square. This three-day event comprises among other things an art exhibition, via which the theme of the Karagiozi is explored, a fashion show, a Karagiozi-themed escape room, Karagiozi performances, art workshops, talks, and an intriguingly named ‘Pokemon island’ installation. Organised by the Social and Cultural Organisation Kroma, and with the artistic direction of art historian Iris Kritikou, this event aims to explore the much loved tradition of shadow theatre, and how it can still be relevant to this day.

Participating artists in the ‘Pou Pas Vre Karagiozi’ art exhibition:

Yiorgos Androutsos, Nektarios Aposporis, Kiki Voulgareli, Nektaria Yiakmoglidou, Tassa Ganidou, Katerina Grafanaki, Vaggelis Dionas, Apostolis Itskoudis, Despoina Kalliga, Iason Karaindros, Angela Karali, Yiannis Kardasis, Ilias Karellas, Marigo Kassi, Marianna Katsoulidi, Sotiris Kokeas, Nikos Koniaris, Kouzaros, Loula Leventi, Tassos Liakopoulos, Yiorgos Lintzeris, Tassos Mantzavinos, Minas Mavrikakis, Anthia Mega-Havre, Stella Meletopoulou, Christina Mitrense, Manos Batsolis, Vassiliki Bloukou, Lambrini Boviatsou, Angelike Bobori, Ismini Bonatsou, Roula Boua, Orestis Netas & Alexandros Mentzos, Isavella Dassi, Gabriela Papaefthimiou, Maria Pastra, Eleni Pechlivani, Achilleas Pistonis, Molyvia Porpoda, Rania Ragou, Michail Sakalis, Yiorgos Sikeliotis, Dimitra Siaterli, Eugenios Spatharis, Alexia Spanoudaki, Christos Stanisis, Nikolas Tzibelekis, Nikos Triantafyllou, Katerina Hadoulou, Maria Halkia, Eleftheria Christaki, Acquaforte, RTMone, Soteur.

• Open 6-10pm Friday Feb 18; noon-10pm Sat and Sun. Romantzo is on 3 Anaxagora Street. For more info visit the site www.poupasvrekaragiozi.gr
• ‘Art Scene Athens’ is written and run by artist/journalist Stella Sevastopoulos, who has been covering the Greek art scene since she moved from London to Athens in 1994. For examples of her artwork, you may visit her online portfolio.