Artistic Team

Natalia Kotsani and Tasos Kofodimos, two of the most active performers and creators on the contemporary Greek music scene, join forces to set Bergadis’ Apokopos to music and bring it to the stage in an original musical performance. Through their compositions, voices and instruments, they present an original musical setting of the poem, rooted in the traditions of Greek music while also drawing on musical idioms from across the Mediterranean. Their contemporary interpretative approach brings to the fore a poetic text that playfully challenges established perceptions, invoking literary, religious and folk conventions only to subvert them.

Visual artist Natalia Manta illustrates the narrative in real time through live visuals projected within the performance space. They are joined on stage by three distinguished musicians: Vassilis Rakopoulos on guitar, Vangelis Zografos on double bass and Angelos Polychronou on percussion. Moving between experimentation and improvisation, the ensemble highlights the distinctive interplay of Greek and Western elements that has made Apokopos one of the jewels of European literature. Ross Daly also takes part in the performance.

Bergadis’ Apokopos is one of the most important works of early Cretan literature and was the first vernacular Greek literary work to be printed in Venice, in 1509. It has been described as one of the most poetic works of Cretan literature and stands out for its enigmatic allure, expressive power and strikingly modern poetic sensibility, which at times approaches the realm of philosophical reflection.