“Memoirs of General Makriyannis”, directed – adapted – performed by Thanassis Sarantos
On an earthen threshing floor accompanied by a tampoura, the words of Makriyanni will be heard, for the first time in theatrical form, as inspired, directed and presented by Thanassis Sarantos in a one-off performance of “Memoirs of General Makriyannis” on Sunday 23rd November, 2014 at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation.
“I will speak the naked truth”, Makriyannis said, that great hero of the sword and the pen, who gave an incredible lesson in history with his “unhewn prose”.
Prompted by the 150-year anniversary since Makriyannis’ death, the actor and director, Thanassis Sarantos, will be presenting, at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, the performance which was staged last August at Makriyannis’ birthplace, Krokilio Doridos.
A prime example of early Demotic Greek in modern Greek prose, “Memoirs” is the staggering truth about the life of Makriyannis, as put to paper. Even with his scrawling handwriting he felt compelled to pass on this vital part of history to the generations to come.
Note by the director, Thanassis Sarantos
“Makriyannis” words are a thorn in the side of the contemporary intellectual elite who unashamedly call his sacred beliefs an “outdated obsession”. They who are wooed by the promised riches from the sell-off of National assets, depreciate the love and the angst felt by today’ s Greeks who are left to wonder what will become of it all, “all of that for which we fought”. A Condemnation of the injustice served those old heroes, those survivors of the Struggle – including himself – by the new government of Bavarian-ruled Greece. A fury against those servile Greeks, who sell off that which with blood was fought for and won over by those fighters of old. Makriyannis lived through the foulest of ingratitude and had a bitter end, his only decorations his beloved home country, convicted to death, and a few permanent wounds that would send him to his grave in his 67th year. “The illiterate son of Roumeli shepherds gives us an incredible lesson in history”.
Cast & Crew
Direction adaptation interpretation: Thanassis Sarantos
Musical composition: Cihan Turkoglu
On-stage music: Cihan Turkoglu (tampoura, lyre)
Solis Barkis (percussion)
Lighting: Katerina Maragoudaki
Set design: Savvas Sourmelidis
Video: George Foukarakis
Photographs: Orpheas Emirzas, Thomas Arsenis
Production Organization for Ithikon Akmeotaton: Paraskevi Koutoumba
Under the auspices of the Municipality and the Association
of the Historical Study of the Holy War of Mainland Greece
and the Association of Krokilion “Makriyannis”.
