Sofia Kalogeraki
The Compass
Directed by Despoina Sarafidou
Summary
Here are two iconic figures: one of them, Manto Mavrogenous, is real. Among the brave fighters of the Greek Revolution of 1821, Mavrogenous was a courageous woman, fighting for her personal beliefs, and against all forms of power. The other comes from myth – almighty Prometheus, one of the oldest references we have to the idea of revolution. This play finds them both conversing – and their dialogue and ideals, serve as a compass when it comes to the challenges we face in our modern lives.
Extract
PROMETHEUS: Only the man who struggles constantly can ruffle others from complacency. Woe to anyone who believes revolution jut ends once guns have been put aside. It is only then that the greatest revolution begins – within ourselves.
MANTO MAVROGENOUS: Poor Prometheus! Our revolution was sidelined by individual ambitions, by greed and self-interest. With it, we were sidelined as well.
PROMETHEUS: People’s motives can differ. It would be awfully unhelpful to believe that only self-interest guides the actions of humans, or the gods. Besides, there are a lot of bight examples suggesting the opposite is true. You, with your rebellious spirit, you went against the tide, Nor did you care much about people mocking or badmouthing you. No needed no other validation. Your constant struggle against all elements depriving you of your freedom –
that’s what kept the spirit of revolution alive within you.
Sofia Kalogeraki was born in Crete. She studied at the Department of Primary Education of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. For the last 8 years she has lived and worked in Bielefeld, Germany, teaching at a local school. She has attended creative writing seminars and participated in short story and short play competitions. One of her stories has been published electronically in the ‘Open Library’ (Ανοιχτή Βιβλιοθήκη) website in Greece. She has also been involved in adapting plays for the Greek community of Bielefeld’s theatre group.
Actors (in alphabetical order): Diamantis Karanastasis, Angeliki Karystinou
Singer: Sofia Papazoglou
Costume Design: George Lyntzeris
Manto Mavrogenous, the heroine of the Greek War of Independence (1821–32) meets the archetypical figure of Prometheus. The two heroes reflect on the eternal questions; are sacrifices and fights for the best of humanity necessary at all for our own eryday lives, what is the duty of a human being and how much will it cost us to change the world?
