Grand Narratives | The Return Athens_2019

Grand Narratives. The Return Athens_2019

Act: “Establishment and Promotion of International Institutions of Contemporary Culture in Attica”

Action II: “Ancient Drama: Interdisciplinary and Cross-Art Approaches”

Co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund of the EU in the framework of

Regional Operational Programme of “ATTIKA”, 2014-2020

SUMMARY OF THE PROGRAMME AND OBJECTIVES

Within the framework of Regional Operational Programme “ATTICA” of NSRF 2014-2020, the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation organizes in September 2019 the 3rd year of the Programme “ANCIENT DRAMA: INTERDISCIPLINARY AND CROSS-ART APPROACHES”, in collaboration with CONTESTED_CITIES. The programme will take place at the Cultural Centre of the Foundation; it is a continuation, upgrading and enrichment of the project “Ancient Drama: Influences and Modern Approaches”, which was implemented with great success under the NSRF 2007-2013 (ROP “Attica”). This initiative consists of a three-year programme that activates and presents “paradox” synergies of art and sciences with Ancient Drama as a starting point, based on three thematic axes (different per year) conveyed via three specific artistic practices. It inspires a high degree of innovation as it complements and extends the already existing coordinated and rich reflection in relation to the theatrical realization of Ancient Drama and its classic methods of representation. By opening up these concerns and attempting these “paradoxical” synergies of arts and science, it aims to empower and enrich the reception of Ancient Drama through the performing arts in the 21st century. This program fully corresponds to the statutory objectives of the Cacoyannis Foundation and substantially upgrades its educative role. Particularly, innovation in the field of Ancient Drama is a major challenge corresponding to the work of Michael Cacoyannis and more particularly his direction of the famous Trilogy (Iphigeneia, Women of Troy, and Electra).

The programme “ANCIENT DRAMA: INTERDISCIPLINARY AND CROSS-ART APPROACHES” elaborates with the establishment of an institution with particular artistic and educational character as part of future plans of the Foundation to promote interdisciplinary research and study of Ancient Drama. It aims to lay the foundations for an international network of communication and dialogue between researchers and artists with different artistic approaches. The exchange of different artistic approaches, theories and practices will, amongst others, contribute to the emergence of Athens as a reference point for the research, study, and practice of Ancient Drama. At the same time, this initiative provides the opportunity to young researchers, artists, creators, and students to broaden their horizons and skills.

The Program has three-year duration (2017-2019) and is based on the following three thematic axes (one different per year):

2017: Urban Spatial Studies (Urban Culture, Urban Behavior, Urban Planning, Urban Reformation, Spatial Transformation)
2018: Digital Technology – Information Technology, and
2019: Political Sciences

These thematic axes are developed through three artistic practices:

Performing arts (theatre and dramaturgy)
Audiovisual arts (new media and digital technology)
Art Exhibitions

Based on the theme of each year, the following projects actions are organized and delivered:

Preparation and presentation of an original theatre performance (3 performances-free admission)
Seminar and Workshops (free admission, upon application)
International Academic Forum (two days, involving researchers and artists from Greece and abroad – free admission)
Exhibition of visual arts (2 weeks duration-free admission)

THE STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAM FOR THE YEAR 2019

The third year of the Program takes place from September 10 to September 22, 2019, in collaboration with the internationally recognized Forum Internationale Wissenschaft Institute of the University of Bonn.

Founded over 200 years ago, the University of Bonn belongs to Germany’s most recognized institutions for research and higher education. It is situated in the centre of Europe and internationally renowned for top-level science, research-oriented study programs and an international flair. The University of Bonn is a comprehensive University with seven faculties. Currently, more than 38,000 students (thereof 5,000 international students from 143 countries) are enrolled in one of its 203 study programs. The University has approximately 6,400 staff members, including 540 professors. Excellence in research has been established at the University of Bonn through the strategic recruitment of exceptional scientists in the last decades. Thus, the University of Bonn belongs to Germany’s leading universities. On an international scale, the University of Bonn cooperates with more than 80 renowned universities worldwide. The attractiveness of the University for scientists from abroad is reflected by the recent Times Higher Education international ranking, in which the University of Bonn ranks 2nd nationwide.

The Forum Internationale Wissenschaft (Forum for International Research, FIW) is a central scientific institution of the University of Bonn, founded in 2012. The FIW considers itself an essential part of the internationalization strategy of the University of Bonn. The scientific departments focus on the subject areas of Comparative Research on Democracies and Authoritarian Regimes, Science Studies and the Politics of Science, Comparative Research on Religions and Digital Society. The choice of research topics takes account of the presence of both national and international organizations in the federal city of Bonn and the Cologne/Bonn region.

The research itself is based on recent theoretical approaches such as systems theory and variants of institutionalism. It looks for regional variants and global interrelations in function systems such as politics, science, and religion. Based on its thematic focus, the FIW establishes academic cooperation and networks at Bonn as a location for science.

The programme consists of:

a.Scientific seminars and practical workshops (13-17 September)
b.An open scientific forum (18-19 September)
c. A theatre performance (12, 13, 14 September)
d. An art exhibition (10-22 September)

All activities are free of charge. This call is addressed to postgraduate and PhD students, practitioners or researchers from art and performing arts schools, political sciences, humanities as well as to independent young artists and new scholars.

The series of seminars and workshops consist of 3 thematic units and candidates are eligible to apply for one of the three units. The maximum number of participants for the Seminar/Workshops of the first thematic unit (titled: The Body of Polis) is 15 people, for the Seminar/Workshops of the second thematic unit (titled: Spaces and Spheres of Democracy) is 15 people and for the Seminar/Workshops of the third thematic unit (titled: Evolution and Progress: Utopias for the Community and Society) is 20 people. It is required that participants make the appropriate preparation by studying the educational material (that will be handed out in advance.