The National Theatre of Northern Greece presents the work by
Leon A. Nar I have never forgotten you, directed by
Mihalis Sionas, at
‘Aimilios Riadis’ Hall of
Thessaloniki Concert Hall, in the context of the thematic unit “War – Refugee Waves – Migration.”
This is a musical performance about a love, which, after numerous adventures and albeit not consummated, demands justice.
This is a play about the story of a famous singer; she sings on stage 13 Sephardic and rebetika songs, some of which are widely known in their Greek versions (Mikros Arravoniastika [I got engaged as a young lad], Pou na vro gynaika na sou moiazei [Where can I find a woman like you], Misirlou [Girl from Egypt], etc.).
This is a work that reminds us that most of us have at some point been migrants. It honours the history of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki and reminds us that there was a time when Greek Orthodox Christians, Jews and Ottoman Muslims used to live in peace, like brothers.
Directed by: Mihalis Sionas
Sets-Costumes: Giannis Katranitsas
Lighting & Camera Instructor: Haris Pallas
Video Mapping: Kleanthis Karapiperis
Assistant Director: Lila Vlachopoulou
Production Co-ordinator: Natalia Lambropoulou
Cast
Sophia Kalemkeridou
Giannis Harissis
Musicians on stage
Stella Kampouridou (kaval)
Giorgos Minacheilis (kanun)
Ilias Sarigiannidis (lute)
Director's note
The grandson. The grandmother. Both recall images and experiences.
He in order to define, perhaps, the relationship of Sephardic culture with his present life; she because, since she was little, she has always sung, she has always narrated.
A story where past and present coexist; a trip via memory, which is not always willing to co-operate.
In the case of Zana, through memories, in the case of Ido, through words and images.
In any case, whatever we do and say in the present depends on how we perceive the past.