The 25th Shadow Theatre Festival “Spathareia” was held with great success once again this year, dedicated to celebrating one hundred years since the birth of its founder and inspiration, Eugenios Spatharis.
A large audience of Karagiozis fans, young and old, enjoyed six unique performances based on the classic comedies that Evgenios Spatharis presented in his signature style at Spathareia, through which he conveyed significant messages.
This year, the message of the performances was directed both to the audience and to the Karagiozis players, urging everyone to treat Karagiozis as a high form of traditional art that must not be lost. Thus, the message emphasized the importance of fostering love, unity, and solidarity to keep it alive.
On Saturday, September 7, the festival concluded with the festive performance “Karagiozis’ Wedding,” which featured live music, as all the performances did, and was highlighted by the “full-body grand finale”: a live theatrical scene outside the stage with a groom, bride, rice tossing, and wedding favors handed out to both young and adult audience members.
This is how Evgenios Spatharis had presented the work at Spathareia in 2005.
The Mayor of Maroussi, Theodoros Abatzoglou, congratulated everyone involved for the success of the 25th Shadow Theatre Festival, which brought endless laughter and entertainment to audiences of all ages. He assured that the municipality’s administration would continue to support and promote the initiatives of the Spathareio Shadow Theatre Museum.
The Head of the Museums and Art Gallery Department, Menia Spathari, warmly thanked the loyal audience that has supported the performances over the years, as well as the Municipality of Maroussi for their support in organizing the festival, especially Mayor Mr. Theodoros Abatzoglou and Deputy Mayor for Sports and Culture Mr. Nikolaos Peppas, along with all partners and contributors to the event.
