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A production of the Foundation of the Hellenic World
The theatrical performance that made history
participates in the anniversary of 100 years
since the Asia Minor Catastrophe
One of the most emblematic performances of Greek theatre, the performance “And from Smyrna… Salonika”, which is the continuation of the work “My Beloved Smyrna”, is staged, for a few more performances, until January 23, 2022, at the “THEATRON” of the "Hellenic Cosmos" Cultural Centre, as part of the anniversary year for the Asia Minor Catastrophe.
In 2022, 100 years are completed since the Asia Minor Catastrophe, and the unforgettable homelands of Asia Minor are more alive in heart and mind than ever. “If you do not want to die, remember, do not forget”, this is Filio’s guiding motto – as well as of the entire performance – and it becomes the bright beacon that helps the refugees survive. Mimi Denisi interprets, for a few more performances, the influential personality of Filio Baltatzi, a role of a lifetime, which aligns with the turbulent course of the country and describes in the most vivid way the sufferings and hardships until redemption.
The first performance “My Beloved Smyrna”, which became one of the most emblematic performances of Greek theatre and was later adapted for the cinema, leaves the heroes of the play in a boat traveling towards Greece. The theatrical performance “AND FROM SMYRNA… SALONIKA” presents the continuation of the protagonists’ lives when they arrive in Thessaloniki, which becomes their new homeland. There, they try to heal their wounds and rebuild their lives. Salonika becomes the homeland of the refugees. A multicultural city with locals, refugees, Pontians, and Jews living harmoniously, despite their differences. The play follows the course of the family, and many new characters, during the period from the catastrophe until the beginning of World War II. However, Filio Baltatzi and her family never forget their “Smyrna”. They keep forever in their hearts, as a precious amulet, the memories of the unique city-symbol of Asia Minor Hellenism.
In 2022, 100 years are completed since the Asia Minor Catastrophe and the unforgettable homelands of Asia Minor are more alive in heart and mind than ever. “If you do not want to die, remember, do not forget”, this is Filio’s guiding motto – as well as of the entire performance – and it becomes the bright beacon that helps them survive. Thus, 2022 will once again find Mimi Denisi on stage, interpreting the influential personality of Filio Baltatzi, a role of a lifetime, which aligns with the turbulent course of the country and describes in the most vivid way the sufferings and hardships until redemption.
Always faithful to the promotion of Greek history and culture, the Foundation of the Hellenic World stages the performance with rich sets and costumes and a cast of distinguished contributors. With the kind medical support of the Affidea group for safe conduct amid the pandemic, the performance continues this year as well its successful course in accordance with the strictest health protocols.
A few words about the play
The noblewoman of Smyrna, Filio Baltatzi, and her children escape from the burning “Smyrna” and, after great adventures, end up in Macedonia and from there in Thessaloniki. Filio, together with her daughter Lefkothea (Maria Englezaki) and her son Vasilakis (Lefteris Vasilakis), as well as Zacharoula (Katerina Geronikoulou), her beloved helper who later becomes her son’s wife, try to find a distant relative of her father and settle in a poor house in the Tsinar neighborhood. There, they meet other refugees from Pontus, such as Polykarpos (Giannis Tsimitselis) and his mother (Nicoletta Vlavianou), as well as locals such as the kind-hearted grocer Pantelis (Lefteris Eleftheriou). Filio begins working for the powerful Jewish family of the city, Levi (Prodromos Tosounidis) and his wife Mrs. Levi (Konstantina Michail), while she meets Chatzipetrou (Alexandros Antonopoulos), Levi’s associate, who shows great interest in Filio. She reunites with her distant relative Symeon (Michalis Mitrousis) and his wife Morfoula (Niki Pallikaraki) and undertakes to create her famous sweets in his café.
The rise of the refugees from absolute poverty to a new dignified life, their effort to become one with their brothers in Greece, the rise and fall of the flourishing Jewish community, are vividly depicted through the characters. The play is a great fresco of the era against the backdrop of the political situation through personal stories, with the music of the time—from Sephardic melodies to rebetika and Attik—highlighting the aesthetic and cultural contrasts between locals and refugees.
