Queen Thessaloniki: A Voice from the Past That Echoes in the Present
Imagine a journey into the past, not as something you simply see, but as an experience you live. A performance where time bends, walls speak, and history comes to life before your eyes.
The theatrical production “As A Shadow As A Dream” was more than just a play -it was an immersive experience that connected the audience with history. Commissioned by the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, this site-specific performance was staged within the museum’s spaces in October, as part of the 59th Dimitria Festival. The play featured text by Panagiotis Giokas and was directed and choreographed by Apostolia Papadamaki.
At the Heart of This Unique Performance Stood Queen Thessaloniki -a “Shadow” from the Past Returning to the Present. Through a captivating interactive experience, the audience followed in the footsteps of Queen Thessaloniki, uncovering hidden stories woven into the museum’s exhibits.
The performance centered around a historical female figure with mythological undertones. In folklore, she is often identified with the legendary mermaid, desperately searching for news of Alexander, her brother (or, according to the poet Ntinos Christianopoulos, her son). By reviving her untold stories, the performance shed light on the unseen aspects of her history.Queen Thessaloniki is a historical figure of powerful symbolism. Daughter of Philip II of Macedon, sister of Alexander the Great, wife of Cassander, and a mother murdered by her own son, Thessaloniki embodies the fate of women throughout history. From ancient Macedonia to the present day, her struggles mirror the challenges of power, violence, and exclusion.
Thessaloniki stands as a bridge between antiquity and contemporary social issues, highlighting the enduring struggles faced by women and femininities in today’s world.
This performance was not merely a historical reenactment -it sparked a broader discussion on the role of women throughout history, the silencing of their voices, and the ways in which memory and identity are shaped. It explored how history endures over time, evolving through collective remembrance and reinterpretation.
The Chorus of women in the performance symbolized the continuity of memory, with each performer embodying a different social reality.
A Stage Without Borders: The Museum as a Living, Breathing Space
Breaking away from the conventions of classical theater, this performance had no stage, no seats, the Museum itself became the stage, and its exhibits transformed from static artifacts into integral parts of the narrative.
The audience journeyed through history, experiencing Queen Thessaloniki’s path: They felt her presence, heard her thoughts, and carried the weight of her fate.
The direction drew from physical theater, dance theater, and ritual drama, where the body of the performers became voice, soul, and history itself.
Utilizing site-specific theater techniques, the performance unfolded organically within the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, turning it from a static space into an active element of dramaturgy.
Through this deeply moving and immersive experience, the audience became companions in Queen Thessaloniki’s journey –witnessing, remembering, and reinterpreting history in a way that resonated beyond the past, into the present.
“As A Shadow As A Dream” was not just a performance. It was a revival of memory, a hymn to the voices of women silenced through the centuries. It was a mirror, forcing us to confront the injustices of history and our responsibility never to forget.
Among the statues and artifacts of the past, a living experience was born, one that did not end when the final scene faded. Instead, it continues to echo in the minds and hearts of those who witnessed it.
The voice of Thessaloniki does not belong solely to the past. It speaks to the present and demands to be heard in the future. As long as women’s stories remain in the shadows, as long as history is written without them, the need for their voices to rise becomes even more urgent.
And now, it is our turn to listen.
Credits
Director/Choreographer: Apostolia Papadamaki
Dramaturgy: Panos Gkiokas, Apostolia Papadamaki
Original Texts: Panos Gkiokas
Music: Tryfon Koutsourelis
Starring: Aliki Dourmazer
Voluntary Participation: Chorus of 20 Women
Scientific Consultants:
Dr. Anastasia Gadolou (General Director of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki)
Dr. Kalliopi Chatzinikolaou (Archaeologist)
Dr. Konstantoula Chavela (Archaeologist)
Photography: Aris Rammos@arisrammos
Production organization, management, execution & communication/promotion: CHORUS
