The Kazantzakis Museum, in cooperation with the Region of Crete, the China Cultural Center in Athens, the Municipality of Archanes-Asterousia, and with the kind sponsorship by Vaggelis Marinakis, for another year takes the road of Nikos Kazantzakis’ travelling lines and is getting ready for the 4th International Art & Literature Festival, setting sail for the turtle of nations!
The starting point of this year's exploration is the author’s travel book "Japan-China" from his two journeys to the Far East: The first in 1935, and his last journey in 1957, written by his wife Helen. Nowadays travelling may be easier than in those times, but China and Japan are so distant and exotic, that time would fail us if we tried to explore them at once. We also said it is time to stop confusing them here in the West ... So we first plotted our course to China...
From 8 to 14 July, we are going to meet the mysterious turtle of the deep east, the explosive country of the dragon and the ancestors, of the fairy tales, of numberless gods and of the sacred flowers, whose symbol is the silkworm! The choreographer Konstantinos Tsakirelis signs the Artistic Direction of this year's festival and promises us a vivid journey in China's history and culture through Nikos Kazantzakis’ eyes.
The festival is held with the support of a creative and interdisciplinary team of partners, with Chryssa Mavrokosta at the Production Management, and Miao Bin (Meet Culture) at the Production Management of Chinese groups, a passionate team of volunteers, the Cultural Association and the citizens of the village of Myrtia, the Museum’s main sponsor Vaggelis Marinakis, and many other sponsors and friends.
This trip gives the established Art & Literature Festival an international character, hosting and joining artists from Crete and the rest of Greece, Europe and, of course, China! Also, the festival itself will be hosted not only in the village of Myrtia, but also in Heraklion city... Dear friends and explorers, lovers of Kazantzakis, of poetry, myths and spectacles ... be prepared! The notes are highly desirable, the legs and the brushes are running, the theaters will be fully packed, the workshops will be incredibly busy, the stories will begin... and you need to know how to get around in the Far East! So pay attention to the "Traveling China" event programme!
PROGRAMME of the 4th International Art & Literature Festival “Travelling… China”
"Traveling China ..." includes a series of Core and Side Events that will take place in the village of Myrtia and the Astoria Theatre in the city of Heraklion. For the first time, the festival includes performances and workshops requiring a ticket or the pre-booking of seats and places, however, open events without any precondition are also included, continuing the tradition of the previous years.
CORE EVENTS
Great dancers, actors, musicians, artists from Crete and the rest of Greece, Europe and China will present their unique work and match their arts in the Festival's Main Events, which will take place in the village of Myrtia and the Astoria Theatre. The spectators, depending on which events they want to attend, will need to buy tickets or get a Free Entry Pass.
1) Heraklion | 8 July - 21.00 | 9 July - 18.00 & 21.00
Greek National Opera Alternative Stage
The Emperor's Nightingale, Lena Platonos | Children’s opera
Astoria Theatre
Entrance Fee: 20 € | 18 € | 15 €
2) Myrtia | 10 & 11 July | 20.30
Routes of Speech & Art: 10 STOPS AROUND CHINA | Promenade performance
Starting point: Kazantzakis Museum parking area
Free admission - Free entry pass is needed
3) Heraklion | 12 July | 18.00 & 21.00
Beijing Modern Dance Company | Dance theatre
Blooming of Time
Astoria Theatre
Entrance Fee: 20 € | 18 € | 15 €
4) Myrtia | 13 & 14 July | 21.00 | Concerts
Kazantzakis Museum parking area
Free admission - No reservation is needed
• Saturday 13 July
Chang Jing Studio
Dream Back to the Orient Wonderland
• Sunday 14 July
Giorgis Manolakis – Nefalo Project / Chang Jing Studio
Crete Meets the Far East
Advance tickets & Free Entry Passes for the Core Events will be available from the 5th July at:
Kazantzakis Museum, Myrtia
Astoria Theatre, Heraklion Centre (Weekdays 19.00-21.00)
Eleftheroudakis bookstore, Heraklion Centre
SIDE EVENTS
The festival’s invited artists are getting off the stage and along with other invited teachers and creators, are becoming the hosts of the festival’s Seminars and Afternoon Zone. Throughout the whole duration of the festival, the public will be able to visit the Exhibitions that will be hosted in Myrtia. Prior reservation is required for all workshops, with or without an attendance fee.
WORKSHOPS
Myrtia | 13 & 14 July | 11.00 – 14.00
Reservation is needed for all workshops
1) Children’s workshops
Dancing with my shadow | alaluz shadow puppet theatre
Shadow puppet making & animation
Participation fee: 20 € | 6 hours
2) 5 Notes from the Far East | In Suk Lee
An experiential musical trip for children, based on the Carl Orff approach.
Attendance fee: 20 € | 3 hours
3) The Great Wall of China is visible from the moon… | Vicki Christaki
Educational Family Activity
Free attendance | 75 minutes
Adult Workshops
1)Chinese Calligraphy | Gao Tianchen
Attendance fee: 20 € | 3 hours
2) Chinese Calligraphy | Gao Tianchen
Attendance fee: 50 € | 6 hours
3) Chinese Music Morning Study | Chang Jing
Free attendance | 3 hours
Information-reservations: from the 5th July at:
Kazantzakis Museum | 2810 741689 | All days 9.00-17.00
AFTERNOON ZONE
Myrtia | 13 & 14 July | 17.30 – 20.30
Free participation in all activities
No reservation is needed
• Tea Ceremony
• Tangram
• Mysteries of Old Peking
• Chinese Cooking Classes
• Tai Chi Practice
• Chinese Tales
• Great Invisible Powers (puppet theatre performance for 3 spectators) – in the main hall of Kazantzakis Museum, with a reduced entrance fee: 3 €)
EXHIBITIONS
Myrtia | 8 – 14 July | Mon-Fri 9.00-15.00 Sat-Sun 10.00 - 20.00
• Kazantzakis Museum
Memories from China
Temporary exhibition
Reduced entrance fee: 3 €
• Fabrika (Old Winery)
Our Silk Road
Photographic exhibition | China Cultural Center in Athens
Monday-Friday: 9.00-17.00 | Saturday-Sunday: 10.00-20.00
