As Above So Below

August 12 and 13, 2022, The sanctuary of the Kaveiroi, Lemnos Island, Greece

' This world order, the same for all, no god made or any man, but it always was and is and will be an ever-living fire, kindling by measure and going out by measure. '
 
Heraclitus of Ephesus / On Nature 5th century B.C.

"As Above So Below" is conceived as a collective and experiential ritual aimed at awakening our cellular memory. Through contemporary performing arts, we are invited to reconnect with our ancient future, evoking the Mystery and activating our primordial cultural consciousness through Logos, Melos, and Orchesis.

The intuitive narrative weaves together myths and historical figures, revealing the intrinsic human desire to create and recreate, even in the face of destruction. 

The show unfolds with the portrayal of the refugees of Smyrna, symbolized by a mother and her children (played by Savina Yannatou and children from Lemnos), encountering the Mystical Cabeiri (represented by Maria Papageorgiou, Thanasis Efthymiadis, Apostolia Papadamaki, and the dancers). The Cabeiri carry the remembrance of the rebirth of humanity's spirit through the Sacred Fire of Hephaestus—an enduring reminder that Greek Culture is perpetually reborn from its ashes.
Director and choreographer Apostolia Papadamaki embarked on an artistic journey to explore timeless and indivisible concepts that activate the forces of Greek culture, encompassing survival, rebirth, and progress, expressed through the lens of time and light.

"As Above So Below" invites audiences to contemplate how the destructive fire experienced by the refugees of Smyrna is transformed into the sacred fire of the mystical Cabeiri. It serves as a remembrance of the Greek civilization, which is perpetually reborn from its ashes.

The performance showcased an original musical composition by Trifon Koutsourelis, and an original text by Panos Gkiokas, accompanied by Valentina Tamiolaki's lighting design, enhancing the immersive experience for the audience. Renowned performers Savina Yannatou and Maria Papageorgiou, along with actor Thanassis Efthymiadis and six professional dancers, collaborated to immerse the audience in a ritualistic exploration of Greek cultural history—from its inception to destruction to eventual rebirth.

As Above So Below is performed by ten performers: Savina Yannatou, Thanassis Efthymiadis, Maria Papageorgiou, Apostolia Papadamaki, Spyros Christakis, Plotinos Eliades, Konstantina Liontou, Maria Papakonstantinou, Natasha Sarantopoulou, Antonis Strouzas.

' As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul… '

*Phrase that marks the second principle in the Emerald Tablet of Hermes of Trismegistus