Whose Karagiozis is This?

Discovering the World of Karagiozis

Karagiozis (Karagöz) is a central figure in the theatre of shadows in Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, and recognised by the UNESCO as intangible world heritage. The performances featuring the figures of Karagiozis and Hatziavati (Hacivat) and the rest of the classical repertoire of characters was a very popular form of entertainment, with many creators actually contributing to enriching this art form over the centuries and keeping it alive. This programme includes presentations, exhibitions and performances on the theatre of shadows from Cyprus and abroad, either in its traditional or its contemporary version.
Through these activities, the visitors will be able to trace the course of the theatre of shadows in time and the local particularities of the countries in which it flourished. Amongst others, the programme will present figures and sets from popular performance of the past as well as works made by famous artists and creators from Cyprus, Greece and neighbouring countries.

Wednesday 4 – Friday 13 October 2017 (10:00-13:00 & 16:00-19:00)
Opening: Wednesday 4 October 2017 18:00
Ibrahim’s Khan

Exhibition/Performances/Workshop
Karagiozis is the main figure of the shadow theatre, as it was created and developed mainly in Turkey and Greece, and is now acknowledged as world cultural heritage. The exhibition at Ibrahim’s Khan will present figures and sceneries crafted by well-known artists and puppeteers from Cyprus, Greece and other neighbouring countries, originating from Christodoulos Pafios’ collection.

Thursday 5, Sunday 8, Thursday 12 October 2017 (10:30-13:00)
Students will be able to visit the exhibition and discover the world and the adventures of the immortal Karagiozis, watching his sufferings, misfortunes, his humorous and side-splitting stories in a programme curated by Christodoulos Pafios, grandson of the legendary Cypriot puppeteer, Pafios.

5.10.2017 | «Alexander the Great and the dragon” | 10:30 – 11:30
Hadjiavatis, being the Pasha’s errand boy declares that whoever manages to slay the dragon will marry Pasha’s daughter and the money prize of 500,000 euros. As expected, a lot of so called brave men will try to kill the beast but without any success. However, Alexander the Great manages to slay the dragon but leaves without taking his prize. So, this is the greatest opportunity for Karagkiozis who goes to the palace and proclaims the prize for himself by saying that the dragon’s slay was his achievement. Liars though get rewarded in different ways… what will happen of him? On stage…

08.10.2017 | “The eerie tree” | 10:30 – 11:30
The Pasha commands Hadjiavatis to warn everybody in the city, that the tree located at the city square is enchanted and they all should be careful and not to pass under it. An elf lives in it and when someone passes by, he grabs him, lifts him very high and gets him back to the ground transformed into animal. Of course no one takes into consideration the warning and keep on passing by the tree. As expected they all become animals, so Karagkiozis takes action.Will he manage to undo the magic and defeat the elf or will the tree and his friends remain enchanted for ever??

12.10.2017 | «Karagkiozis and the swamp giant” | 10:30 – 11:30
This time Karagkiozis needs to face the fierce giant that lives in the swamp behind the Pasha’s palace and chases anyone who passes by the swamp because he thinks that everybody is responsible for the environmental pollution and destruction. Is the giant right and will Karagkiozis stand by his side or will he do something entirely different to ease things??

Saturday 7 October 2017 11:00 & 16:00
Lena Spanou Shadow Theatre presents the play “Kollitiris as a Student”, based on Androulla Embedokleous’ texts. Directed by Lena Spanou. Actors: Pambos Charalambous and Lena Spanou.

Tuesday 10 October 2017 (10:30-11:30 & 19:00-20:30)
Thodoris Kostidakis presents the play “Karagiozis and the Enigmas of Veziropoula”, a classic comedy of the Greek Shadow Theatre for the young and the older, based on tradition and contemporary influences and references.

Friday 13 October 2017 17:00
Children are introduced to the design and construction of figures, discovering the secrets of the berde, in a workshop by Christodoulos Pafios.
Limited availability for the performances and the workshop.
Reservation is necessary: 26932017
Business Partner: Cyprus Cooperative Bank

Free entrance