1st PAMBOTIS FESTIVAL: Living Museum of Myths-Legends-Traditions
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The 1st PAMVOTIS FESTIVAL is an innovative multisensory, multi-themed and multi-layered festival organised by Kalliergon that will take place during the first three days of September in Ioannina. It is part of the Pamvotis Lake Project, with activities that will unfold throughout the year at regular intervals. The word "Pamvotis" is Homeric and derives from the nouns "pamvotor" or "pamvotir", meaning "the one that nourishes everything".
The term "Living Museum" or "Museum of Living History" refers to a type of museum that recreates historical scenes to simulate a past period, providing visitors with an immersive interpretation of history. In this specific festival, the term "Living Museum" primarily pertains to the reenactment of myths, legends, and traditions as they have been passed down orally, with the region's rich history as a reference point. It is based on the intangible cultural heritage of the place. The texts by Christina Tzialla presented at the festival further develop the spectrum of myths and legends of the area with new tales, creating a new "reality." All texts originate from the 4th in line, still unpublished, fictional work written by Christina Tzialla titled "woi" with the subtitle "Trophies - FromTrophies."
This year, the festival focuses on the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, including the era of Ali Pasha. All festival activities revolve around literature and oral traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation, following the flow of time while always respecting references to the past. Visitors can actively participate, experiencing an unprecedented, thrilling journey. Some festival activities are inclusive, engaging even the slightest sensation so that more and more people can feel these unique moments.
The 1st PAMVOTIS FESTIVAL aims to showcase the contemporary face of the city. The venues where the activities will take place are two of Ioannina's most significant identity elements. It is an essential tool for alternative tourism for local entrepreneurship, offering a new and competitive cultural product.
What separates today from yesterday is only the surface of the sweet water of the lake. Its water serves as a connecting link of centuries. The boats, carving a path on its waters, in the imaginary line of their steps, simultaneously write many stories of ages! Stories that the unwritten rules of water and the oral tradition have given them dimensions of "historical myths." This year, the festival honours the "mother" of Ioannina, Lake Pamvotis - one of the oldest lakes in the world and the second oldest in Europe - and its contribution as a feminine dimension, as a life-giving source. Thus, associatively, the festival is dedicated to women.
A special tribute to the 1959 film "Astero" serves as a catalyst for actions and presentations with a focus on the future and the region's further development in the fields of culture, tourism, and entrepreneurship.
The photographic portraits -in a free interpretation- to be presented at the festival, projected onto the waters of the lake, bear the signature of Makis Anastasiou, as well as the portrait of Mrs Froso as "Kallimartyr" accompanying (on our YouTube channel) the excerpt from the literary work "Woi" titled "Tis Chrysis tis paramanas" and the portrait "MOTHER," which you will have the opportunity to see as part of the festival. The background image of the poster has been inspired, directed and executed by Stefanos Papazapraidis. It is intended for the back cover of the work "WOI". The cover was already used as a poster for the first action of the Pamvotis Lake Project, which took place in January 2023.
Under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), the Region of Epirus & the Municipality of Ioannina
Supporting Entities: Perama Cave Organisation, Natural Environment Climate Change Agency, Ioannina Municipal Regional Theatre, Drossochori Cultural Association, "Paguristas" Volunteer Group of Ioannina, "Photorasi" Photography Club, Drossochori Community of the Municipality of Ioannina, X.E,N. Greek Organisation of Ioannina for women's rights, "Schedia" Prevention Centre of Ioannina, Pogonisian Polyphonic Singing Association
FREE ADMISSION/PARTICIPATION