Moiroloi – Greek Ritual Lament: The Celebration of Mourning

Τhe moiroloi as a cultural heritage of mourning tradition from antiquity to the present.

The event will take place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 August at the Archaeological Site of Tylisos, as part of the program “All of Greece, One Culture – Program 2021”, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Sports in collaboration with the Greek National Opera.

The event is structured in three parts, with its central axis being the musical component curated by Loudovikos of Anogeia, a pioneer in the musical interpretation of Cretan moiroloi through his long-term documentation and collection of authentic mourning traditions.

Part I
Scholarly presentations combining field research, lived experience and academic expertise by sociologist and social anthropologist Angeliki Lyginou and film director and documentary producer Vicky Arvelaki.

Part II
“The Pleasure of Tears – The Reflection of Mourning in Time and Memory”

Musical introduction: Vocal Ensemble “Thyrathen”.

The theatrical performance presents a representational interpretation of the moiroloi across time and its reflection through the centuries, from the Homeric mourning of Andromache, Hecuba and Helen to the woman of Anogeia mourning her son, a victim of the Heraklion shipwreck on 8 November 1968.

The two theatrical pieces feature actress and performer Marianna Polychronidi and theatre scholar and actress Emmanouela Marioula, embodying the mourning figures of both the distant and the recent past.

The translation of part of Rhapsody Ω of the Iliad follows the Greek rendition by I. Kakridis and N. Kazantzakis, while the second one-act piece is written and adapted by Loudovikos of Anogeia, based on the confessional testimony of Marika Karampini and her lament for her son Lakis.

Part III
“The Celebration of Mourning”

The main part of the event is the musical performance conceived, inspired and created by Loudovikos of Anogeia, a pioneer in the musical adaptation of Cretan moiroloi through decades of documentation and collection of authentic lament traditions.

The aim of the event is to highlight the moiroloi and the expression of mourning through a variety of manifestations that underline its performative, psychological and cultural dimensions.

Event Information
Arrival time: 19:30
Start time: 21:00

Seat reservation is mandatory through the website of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

EVENT CONTRIBUTORS
Speakers
• Angeliki Lyginou – Sociologist, Social Anthropologist
• Vicky Arvelaki – Film Director and Producer

Artistic Team
Loudovikos of Anogeia – Composer of the musical work, Artistic Curator of the event

Theatrical Performance
Marianna Polychronidi – Actress and Performer
Emmanouela Marioula – Theatre Scholar and Actress

Musicians on Stage
Eleni Vougioukli – Musician, Vocalist
Souzana Vougioukli – Musician, Vocalist
Dimitris Oikonomakis – Musician, Arrangement, Double Bass
Manolis Bardanis – Musician, Harmonica, Narrator
Sofia Mavrogenidou – Musician, Flute
Aris Chatzistavrou – Musician, Guitar

Voluntary participation: Vocal Ensemble “Thyrathen”

Event Organization and Production
Cultural Organization Androidus Project Tank

Supported by
Municipality of Malevizi
Cultural Association of Tylisos
Ephorate of Antiquities of Heraklion

Useful Information
The events are offered free of charge by the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Advance seat reservation through the Ministry’s special platform is required and is mandatory.

The only cost is the entrance ticket to the site, where applicable.

Detailed information, program and seat reservations are available at:
https://digitalculture.gov.gr/

Spectators are required to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the COVID-19 Expert Committee of the Ministry of Health for safe attendance at archaeological sites and museums, according to the current Joint Ministerial Decisions.

The use of a non-medical mask is mandatory throughout the duration of the event.

For safety reasons and to avoid delays or crowding, early arrival is recommended, 1–1.5 hours before the start of the event.

After the start of the event, entry will not be permitted.