Description
The project aims to resolve the problems of violation of democratic values, the problem of neo-racism and xenophobia. According to the National Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia, the increase in racist violence was 147.6% in 2007, while the increase of violence against refugees and migrants reached 175%. The project aims to promote democratic values and combat racism and xenophobia through the means of “Shadow Theater”. The planned shadow theater has a twofold aim: Through comedy, satire and the morals expressed by “Karagiozis” (popular Greek shadow theater protagonist), the show will entertain as well as educate on values of democracy, anti-racism, combating xenophobia, and sensitize to daily social problems. The target groups consist mainly of children and young adults, without excluding members of the general public.
Summary of project results
A large wave of war refugees and economic or political immigrants has been documented in Greece as a result of military conflicts, civil wars in Asia and North Africa and upheavals in the distribution of global wealth. The global crisis has affected the economic and social life of the country and its citizens. Responding to the current needs, but also in order to prevent regretful incidents and situations, the NGO “Pelion Mountain” has chosen to assist in the promotion of democratic values, the battle against all forms of racism and the eradication of xenophobia, through the use of shadow theater. It is believed that art has the ability to convey messages to the public and serve as a vehicle to reach multiple recipients in an easy and accessible manner. A Karagiozis performance, titled "Karagiozis, the immigrant", was created by the puppeteer John Voultsidis and performed by the Thracian Shadow Theatre Group. Through Karagiozis’s unique approach, it conveys and communicates messages of tackling racism and xenophobia. The performance was held in Attica, Thessaly and Thrace. At the same time, a 16-page booklet with drawings and text by Nikolas Dimitriadis was published. It was entitled "Democracy in difficult times - The Greek Communities during the Ottoman Rule" and outlined the means and models for a democratic way of life for the Greeks within a long historical period. The majority of the audience was students, because racism, xenophobia and democratic values, are better communicated at a young age. As a result and in partnership with the local authorities, parents associations, teachers and other civil society actors, the message reached a wide range of receivers. Specifically, the group gave 20 performances in Attica, 10 performances in Thessaly and 10 performances in Thrace, while the accompanying book was distributed to all participants and audience members.
Summary of bilateral results