How can tradition converse with other forms of artistic expression, such as contemporary dance, without being threatened or offended, but instead enriched and communicated with the respect it deserves to a wider audience? Combining the principles and themes of the dances of his native Crete with his long-standing experience as a modern dancer, Foniadakis creates a palette of rhythms and melodies for directing the flow of the performance. Above all, though, he attempts to convey the strength of the Cretans who dance the pentozalis (pente meaning “five” and being a reference to the Cretans’ fifth attempt for liberation), a ten-step dance (as the Sfakians decided to start the revolution on 10 October 1769) that consists of twelve parts (musical phrases, turnings) in honour of the twelve leaders of the uprising.
Salema: a struggle with time, immobility and the moment. Dancers and musicians mingle in a bizarre game, upsetting memories and emotions.
CREDITS
Choreography:
Andonis Foniadakis
Music supervisors – Orchestration:
Paris Perysinakis, Giorgos Skordalos
Original music:
Paris Perysinakis (adaptations of traditional Cretan tunes)
Dancers:
Nefeli Asteriou, Despina Lagoudaki, Evi Economou, Maro Stavrinou, Stefania Sotiropoulou, Christian Denice, Georgios Kotsifakis, Nikos Grigoriadis, Jan Labner, Anestis (Tasos) Nikas
Musicians:
Giorgos Skordalos: Cretan lyra, Cretan lute, Song
Paris Perisynakis: Viora, Cretan lyra, Cretan lute, Mandocaster
Giorgos Makris: Recorder, Ascomandoura
Petros Varthakouris: Double bass
Vangelis Karipis: Percussion
Assistant choreographers:
Markella Manoliadi, Pierre Magendie
Lighting:
Sakis Birbilis
Costumes:
Anastasios Sofroniou
Production:
visionary culture / Vassilis Grigoropoulos
*Nefeli Asteriou, Maro Stavrinou and Georgios Kotsifakis are SNF ARTWORKS Fellows
** Antonis Foniadakis is member of the selection committee for the 4th SNF Artist Fellowship Program