ASCETIC of NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS – Philosophical essay in theatrical form

Nikos Kazantzakis is an acknowledged personality not only in Greece but throughout the global intellectual fields. He is the most translated Greek writer, while in the important Universities abroad there are chairs for his work research, as well as societies of Kazantzakis friends.

His philosophical essay “Ascetic” is his most famous and popular work. Moreover, it is the Bible of the writer’s ideas.

It is presented for the first time ever in theatrical form as far as Greece and the world stage are concerned. It is a daring, pioneering attempt in order to present the writer’s philosophical language in dramatic form, so as audience experience an unprecedented as well as more substantive and clear communication with the great concerns and ideals of Nikos Kazantzakis.

The language of the essay “Ascetic” leads us to unfamiliar paths of human experience as well as reveals to us a lot of supernatural truths. It edifies us for life struggle and teaches us that through difficulties and violent fight, when human being is not scared to face the ravages of time as well as the internal greatness, he will be able to answer the crucial questions of life and evoke rescue.

It reveals to us how wonderful is to fight constantly without taking into account sacrifice and hostile circumstances. Only this way you will be able to win and rise to your human nature. “To fight without condescending to ask for reward, that is real freedom”.

The responsibility for this pioneering performance holds the director Panos Angelopoulos, music is composed by Dimitris Papadimitriou, Andromache Mantzoli is assistant director, Maira Vazeou is set and costume designer and movement tutorship is by Olia Lydaki.

Actors performing are: Yannis Thomas with remarkable career and parts in Greek theatre (Electra of Euripides, The Knights of Aristophanes, and Oedipus of Sophocles etc) and Thalea Argyriou (Choephorae- Clytemnestra, Traphoi-Cassandra, Electra, Medea etc) as well as younger actors: Dimitris Gregoriadis, Sofia Kominea, Evi Karadima, Lefteris Vlachos. A Choir Team participates with 5 persons.

“Ascetic”, the philosophical work of Nikos Kazantzakis in theatrical form

Kazantzakis begun writing “Ascetic” in Vienna and completed it in Berlin, in the end of 1922. An era of hunger, despair, misery, inflation and deep financial crisis.

During the nowadays crisis, the cruelty of our times, the freedom forfeiture opposed to everyday violence, how can a human being be protected? What humans have as rival awe against injustice, the new world order and the atrocity of markets? It is just his spirit that he carries. This alone can save him. The deep consciousness, the spiritual politics.

We can add the “Ascetic” to the call of spirit even if 80 years have passed since its call, until today. Its scream needs us.

The director, Panos Angelopoulos says that “Ascetic” turns to be an apocalyptic work of our times, that recommends to be silent in order to let our real internal world to be heard while in parallel familiarizes us with the crucial concerns which lead us to liberating collective visions.

Modern human being cannot stay indifferent to words of advice as well as the challenges of Nikos Kazantzakis.