Theodorakis News 2001

Staging of Aristophanes' "Lysistrata" in 2002

Main theme for 'Cultural Olympiad' schedule announced

The central theme for the highly touted "Cultural Olympiad" -- "The Civilization of Civilizations" -was announced here on Tuesday (23.1.) by Greece's culture minister in the presence of the Greek 2004 Olympics organizers (ATHOC).

The holding of the "Cultural Olympics" during the lead-up to the 2004 Games was one of the "draw cards" in Athens' candidacy file when the IOC awarded the Games to the Greek capital. The government's relevant culture ministry has established a societe anonyme to organize events, budgeting an estimated 40 billion drachmas in the process. (One euro equals 340.75 drachmas)

As expected, the Cultural Olympiad will be inaugurated in the Greek capital on Sunday at the Athens Concert Hall with a musical spectacle directed by American director Robert Wilson, and based on the myth of Prometheus. Following its debut in Athens, the production will be staged in other European cities.

Other Cultural Olympiad-related events include this year's international declaration as the "Year of Socrates", an international day of poetry as well as an expanded Greek presence at the Frankfurt international book fair.

Other events planned for the coming years include the holding of several art and cultural exhibitions along with the staging of Aristophanes' "Lysistrata" with a "modern twist", namely, accompanying music by noted Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis.

"The Cultural Olympiad is not a national activity, Greek or Greece-centered in character; it's not an attraction, it's not an Olympic festival or a supplement to the Olympics' preparation, but it's very own substance," Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said on Tuesday during a relevant ceremony.

Athens, 24/01/2001 (ANA)

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