Constantine Chatzis: "...limit and vision, so that we understand where we are..."
The play "Medea Exodus III" presents a dialogue between Euripides and Giannoulis Halepas, showcasing themes of displacement and exile through the music of George Koumentakis.
The play "Medea Exodus III," running from February 25 to March 15 at the National Sculpture Gallery in Greece, stages a conversation between the ancient Greek playwright Euripides and contemporary artist Giannoulis Halepas, exploring themes of exile and social alienation. This dramatic adaptation follows the character Medea, a refugee from Colchis, who finds herself in Corinth, a place devoid of political rights and marked by double exile due to her status as an outsider, navigating her complex identity amid a haunting past and societal exclusion.
The performance intertwines Medea's narrative with the spoken words of Euripides, along with fragments from the works of contemporary playwright Giannis Kontrafouris, enriching the storytelling experience through an innovative blend of classic and modern elements. Three interpreters bring to life Medea's story, reflecting her experiences of being uprooted and her emotional turmoil, ultimately portraying her as a symbol of the refugee experience and the existential pain of love and betrayal, represented in her relationship with Jason.
Accompanying this exploration is the musical composition "Eros Demon" by George Koumentakis, which further amplifies the emotional depth of the narrative, drawing from the poetry of Sappho to encapsulate Medea's intense passion and despair. This production thus not only revives a classic tale but also resonates with contemporary issues of displacement and identity, prompting the audience to reflect on the broader implications of being a stranger in a foreign land.