As is the case with Sophocles' Antigone, in which the universal laws of the gods and men must prevail over any imposition of any Authority or power structure, so the Theatrical Organization of Cyprus once again goes against the perpetrators of the invasion and of the occupation and in defense of the universality of civilization, goes up again on Wednesday in the ancient theater of Salamis presenting the play of the same name.
This was stated in an interview with KYPE by the president of THOK Giannis Toumazis, emphasizing that the decision for the performance of "Antigone" in Salamina was taken unanimously by the Board of THOK and falls entirely within the founding goals of the organization. The founding goals of THOK, he said, are the promotion of theatrical art and the cultivation of the theatrical artistic feeling of the people throughout the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
"We consider occupied Salamis as the cradle of our culture and go there as hosts to welcome our Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot compatriots, in a spirit of reconciliation, mutual understanding and mutual respect," he noted.
Asked how the THOC responds to the "voices" of controversy that even speak of betrayal for the presence of the THOC in the ancient theater of Salamis, he said that "the role of culture is to create bridges of communication between people, especially in our place where we live for so many years in a divided homeland ".
Mr. Toumazis borrowed a phrase from the great archaeologist Dr. Vassos Karagiorgis, who excavated Salamis, stating that "it is sad that Salamis is again involved in the vortex of our political conflicts, while one expected it to be, with its sanctity and symbolism. of it, a lever of reconciliation and solidarity, in the difficult times we face ".
Continuing, G. Toumazis stressed that a performance as well as a divine service (from the dozens that take place every week by our high priests in the occupied territories) does not legitimize or recognize states or a pseudo-state.
"Of course I hope," he said, "that one day civilization will have the power to offer even more crucial services to world peace and the prosperity of our world."
Asked whether cultural diplomacy and the coexistence of ordinary citizens from the two communities contribute to creating a positive atmosphere and preparation for a possible solution, he said that he considered this position "out of the ordinary".
He said that on both sides of the Green Line live ordinary people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, who hope to claim to live together in a reunited Cyprus, which is why I firmly believe that initiatives like this contribute in the best way to reunification. of our homeland.
He also said that "we have not been asked any wording by the Turkish Cypriot side for the transfer of the actors of the show to Salamina and the performance of Antigone as well as the previous Hippolytus, is under the auspices of the Bicommunal Technical Committee for Culture established last year by President Anastasiadis and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, of whom G. Toumazis is a member.
He explained that this Commission provides the framework and facilitates the organization of high level cultural events in order to bring the two communities closer, in the context of the process of reunification of our homeland.
G. Toumazis said that the decision to establish the technical committees was taken as early as 2006 with the agreement of August 8 between the then President of the Republic, Tassos Papadopoulos, and the then Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat.
The Bicommunal Technical Committee for Culture has invited President Anastasiadis and the Turkish Cypriot leader, the negotiators as well as the diplomatic corps, but the two leaders will not be in Cyprus on the day of the performance.
Source: KYPE