Evgenios Spatharis
Encyclopedia
Evgenios SpatharisEvgenios Spatharis ( (January 2, 1924 – May 9, 2009) was the most prominent shadow theatre
artist in Greece
. He is credited with having brought the traditional Karagiozis
plays to mass audiences through television, recordings and cinema.
in 1924, son of Sotiris Spatharis, himself a famous puppeteer. He progressively got introduced to his father's art, albeit his father's reluctance, since his wish was for Evgenios to become an architect. His first public performances were during the German occupation of Greece, when he frequently used heroic themes in order to strengthen the morale of the population. During one of his shows, the Germans arrested him and brought him to the local Kommandantur for interrogation. Using an old connection of his, he managed to perform for them and they were so impressed that they decided to send him to perform to Germany.
Besides being the most famous performer of Karagiozis
, he was also an accomplished painter, with over 50 exhibitions of his works.
He has collaborated with many of the most important Greek artists, like Manos Hadjidakis
, Dionysis Savvopoulos
, Rallou Manou
, Stavros Xarchakos, Melina Merkouri and others.
from the stairs and had a severe head injury. He was immediately transported to KAT hospital; however, he never recovered and died the following Saturday, at the age of 85.
He created the Spathario Museum
in 1991, devoted exclusively to his art.
Shadow Theatre
The Shadow Theatre is an Edmonton-based theatre company born of the Edmonton International Fringe Festival in 1990.-History:Shadow Theatre was incorporated in 1992, operating under the governance of a volunteer Board of Directors...
artist in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. He is credited with having brought the traditional Karagiozis
Karagiozis
Karagiozis or Karaghiozis is a shadow puppet and fictional character of Greek and Turkish folklore...
plays to mass audiences through television, recordings and cinema.
Biography
Evgenios Spatharis was born in KifissiaKifissia
Kifissia or Kifisia is one of the most expensive northern suburbs of Athens, mainly accessed via Kifissias Avenue, running all the way from central Athens up to Theseos Avenue in the suburb of Nea Erythraia. It has traditionally been home to the major Greek political families...
in 1924, son of Sotiris Spatharis, himself a famous puppeteer. He progressively got introduced to his father's art, albeit his father's reluctance, since his wish was for Evgenios to become an architect. His first public performances were during the German occupation of Greece, when he frequently used heroic themes in order to strengthen the morale of the population. During one of his shows, the Germans arrested him and brought him to the local Kommandantur for interrogation. Using an old connection of his, he managed to perform for them and they were so impressed that they decided to send him to perform to Germany.
Besides being the most famous performer of Karagiozis
Karagiozis
Karagiozis or Karaghiozis is a shadow puppet and fictional character of Greek and Turkish folklore...
, he was also an accomplished painter, with over 50 exhibitions of his works.
He has collaborated with many of the most important Greek artists, like Manos Hadjidakis
Manos Hadjidakis
Manos Hatzidakis was a Greek composer and theorist of the Greek music. He was also one of the main prime movers of the "Éntekhno" song ....
, Dionysis Savvopoulos
Dionysis Savvopoulos
Dionysis Savvopoulos is a Greek music composer, lyricist and singer.He was born in Thessaloniki. In 1963 he moved to Athens, terminating his law studies in favour of his career in music...
, Rallou Manou
Rallou Manou
Rallou Manou was a noted Greek choreographer and modern dancer. She lived on the island of Hydra.She led the Hellenic Choreodrama, a group that presented dance-dramas based on Ancient Greek literature. Her works were often performed at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus of Athens...
, Stavros Xarchakos, Melina Merkouri and others.
Honorary Memberships and Awards
Spatharis was a member of the Chamber of Artists of Greece and the UNESCO International Theatre Institute. He was awarded the Rome Prize in 1962, the Toscanini medal in 1978 and several other awards, while in 2007 the Greek culture ministry awarded him the title of 'Grand Master' in recognition of his great contribution to his art.Death
Spatharis was invited to an event at the Athens Goethe Institut on Wednesday, 6 May, where he was scheduled to give a lecture. While heading to the lecture room, he fellFalling (accident)
Falling is a major cause of personal injury, especially for the elderly. Builders, electricians, miners, and painters represent worker categories representing high rates of fall injuries. The WHO estimate that 392,000 people die in falls every year...
from the stairs and had a severe head injury. He was immediately transported to KAT hospital; however, he never recovered and died the following Saturday, at the age of 85.
Legacy
Especially in his last two decades, Spatharis enjoyed wide acclaim and respect as a towering figure of the Greek shadow theatre and of cultural life in general. His death caused a stream of encomia from critics, journalists and public figures.He created the Spathario Museum
Spathario Museum
The Spathario Shadow Theatre Museum is a museum in Maroussi, Athens, Greece. It exhibits mostly shadow puppet artifacts and it is named after prominent Greek puppet shadow artist Eugenios Spatharis. It was established in 1991 in the municipality of Maroussi and opened in 1996.-External links:****...
in 1991, devoted exclusively to his art.