Friday 24 May 2013

Orphans and Foundlings Display - Ms. Lagonikos

WHY ARE ORPHANS SO POPULAR IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE?

Ever since I learned to read, orphans have featured most prominently in most of my favourite books.

Right from FAIRY TALES, Cinderella broke my heart as she had to endure the purposeful spite of her stepmother and Hansel and Gretal just captured my attention as they had to make their way alone in the world, after their awful stepmother and father threw them out to find their way in the world.

Pippi Longstocking, Anne of Green Gables and Pollyanna then followed as firm favourites.

When I discovered the world of the Dickensian orphans, I was simply riveted - often moved to tears by their awful plight and yet indomitable spirit!

Now the question that keeps arising is quite simply:

WHY ARE ORPHANS SO POPULAR IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE?


The answer, I think, lies in the fact that they're a fascinating idea...KIDS WHO DO NOT HAVE PARENTS!

They have the ultimate freedom to misbehave, to explore, to discover...

They creep into our hearts and we genuinely feel sympathy for them- we feel sorry for them on the one hand but we are surely captivated by their freedom and independence on the other.

They do not belong to even the most basic of groups, the family unit, and in some societies this is enough to cut them off at large. THEY ARE THE ETERNAL OTHER.

We are amazed at how they overcome their personal misfortune with cheer and gusto!

Being a daughter to a mum, who was orphaned at 10, and a wife to a husband who was orphaned at 8; this concept has always been prevalent in my life.

Quite honestly, I think I have only skimmed the surface of this topic in this display. Even the mere definition of an orphan is inconsistent, nevermind trying to accurately count the orphans in the world.

Ms Lagonikos







The final "Talking Books "presentation will be given by ODYSSEAS VASATIS on Michael Morpugo's "The Last Wolf" on Wednesday 29th May in the library, at lunchtime.

All are welcome!

Thursday 16 May 2013

Karagiozis Display - Ms. Andrews


Dear reader,

 We owe this beautiful display to Nikos Tzivelekis who is 19 years old. Born in Pangrati, Athens. Nikos first became acquainted with the shadow puppet which changed his life in early childhood when he was given one as a present. Something inside him clicked!  He was quite simply enamoured by this cheeky puppet and what was once a hobby become a passion. Hopefully after university (he's studying Theatre at Athens University) it will be a career. Niko makes his own shadow puppets and scenery which can take anything from an hour to a couple of days of designing, cutting, hammering, painting.  He enjoyed countless Karagiozis shows as a youngster in the audience but now he puts on his own performances all over Athens and outside of Attica.
   6 years ago, I was roused from sleep by a knocking sound and then a very satirical voice magnified by a microphone. It was a very strange experience and a little bit frightening to tell you the truth! Some time later these mysterious strange sounds were tracked to the new neighbours who had moved in the apartment above. That is how I became better acquainted with the magical world of karagiozis.
 I have heard it said that if you enjoy your job you will never have to work again and this is so true with Niko. Most of you  reading this will probably be  anywhere between the ages of 12 to 18. I urge you therefore dear reader to take a serious look at your interests and what you really enjoy whatever it may be.With focus determination and hard work you too at a young age may be realize your dreams! (Ms Andrews)

Karagiozis or Karaghiozis (Modern Greek: Καραγκιόζης, Turkish; Karagöz) is a shadow puppet and fictional character of Greek and Turkish folklore. He is the main character of the tales narrated in the Turkish and Greek shadow-puppet theatre.
 

Karagiozis seems to have come to mainland Greece, probably from Asia Minor (Anatolia) at the 19th century, during Ottoman rule. Karagiozis was hellenized in Patras, Greece in the end of 19th century by Dimitrios Sardounis alias Mimaros, who is considered the founder of modern Greek shadow theater.

Karagiozis (Dark Eye in Turkish) is the poverty-stricken common man ‘fighting’ with his satirical tongue the powers that be. Over the ages he has been challenging Ottomans, Germans (2nd world war) to common day ‘adversaries’ like Merkel and Samaras!

He is cheeky, provocative and most definitely annoying to his challenged subjects. Karagiozis lives in a shack with his long-suffering wife Aglaia and his three young sons (Ta Kollitiria).