The project begins with a public symposium bringing together different perspectives on Digenis Akritas and the Akritic tradition, cultural memory and artistic reinterpretation, the colonial and ecological landscape of Akrotiri, contemporary geopolitics, and first-hand experiences of the recent events surrounding RAF Akrotiri.

The panel will respond to a series of questions drawing on their different fields of research, practice and experience, before opening into a wider conversation with the public. Throughout the symposium, artist Denis Constantinou will create a live illustrative transcription of the discussion, visually capturing the stories, ideas and connections that emerge.

The evening will culminate in a collective discussion around three questions:

What is the Monster?

Who — or what — is the Hero?

What should this story mean today?

The different perspectives, experiences and ideas that emerge will provide the starting material for the creative workshops on DAYS 2 & 3.

Over two days, participants will work with the stories, perspectives and ideas gathered during the symposium, transforming them through collective making and experimentation.

Working through character development, storytelling, drawing, shadow puppetry and serenade, the group will collectively develop the characters, narrative and visual language for a new shadow performance.

The workshops will bring together students, residents, artists and members of the public, working alongside the project team and invited practitioners. No previous experience is required.

What emerges over the two days will form the basis of the public performance on Saturday 7 November.

The project culminates in a public shadow performance collectively developed over the previous three days. Drawing together the stories, characters and ideas that emerged through the symposium and workshops, the performance will be accompanied through serenade by Michalis Grigoriou and the serenaders.