*Violets and hyacinths (Menexedes kai zoumboulia) is an old Greek serenade song,
a beautiful waltz, the most loved song of the residents in Greek nursing homes.
In recent years, through fruitful collaborations and the valuable support of Charitable organizations we have been implementing a recreational program for nursing home residents. Back in 2016, we took the initiative to conduct a more thorough research on the lives of the residents, finding fragments from the past of Greece, images that we have left behind. We chose to preserve this modern history museum by creating a mosaic of undocumented stories – hidden behind the official history – and by putting on stage the testimonies of those people as a tribute to the years that passed and to the simple everyday moments we so easily overlook. What makes this even more interesting is the fact that people who shared their stories and thoughts with us live with some type of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Through our play, we carefully approach the issue of the stereotypical image of the Third Age in an attempt to alter it and at the same time inform the public on the degenerative brain conditions. All the comic elements of the residents’ stories and their humor are present in the play, which also leaves space for fruitful reflection and optimism. Based on the power of theater to sensitize and make social impact, our initiative’s goal is to encourage a dialogue and to pave the way for social awareness on dementia.
In an airport gate the flight is delayed. Five elders indulge in weaving a cloth of memories, unfolding the lives of a whole generation
through work, traveling, first loves and childhood, describing images from the time that passed, as well as from the days yet to come.
Violets and hyacinths is an optimistic play for the beauty of the end and the importance of the beginning, but also for the everyday life
of dementia and the need to communicate.
Theatrical season 2018-2019 [Opening: September 21, 2018 – World Alzheimer’s Day]
Venue Thiseion – a theater for the arts
Author – Director
Notis Paraskevopoulos
Movement
Yiannis Polyzos
Set design
Myrsini Maneta
Costumes
Konstantina Maltezou
Evangelia Tsiouni
Music/Sound Supervisors
Notis Paraskevopoulos
Yiannis Polyzos
Lighting design
Nikos Zairis
Set construction
Gerasimos Maltezos
Photography/Teaser video
Giorgios Charisis
Visual Communication
Nikos Gazetas
Man
Giannis Annousis
Mrs. Evangelia
Marina Koutroumba
Mr. Kostas
Manos Kostis
Mrs. Evangelia
Konstantina Maltezou
Mrs. Petroula
Petroula Mantzoukidou
Mr. Panagiotis
Tasos Tziviskos
The play was produced thanks to a grant by the ΤΙΜΑ Charitable Foundation and toured several cities of Greece.