The ballet performance of the iconic Zorba the Greek movie at the majestic ancient theater under the Athens Acropolis captivated the audience on Wednesday night.
Zorba, the hero of Nikos Kazantzakis‘s literary masterpiece, personifies the free, open-hearted spirit of Greece. Choreographer Lorca Massine’s ballet version of the story dazzled the lucky attendees of the performance at the 2nd-century Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
The stage was filled with almost 150 dancers, musicians, and singers: the Athens Philharmonia Orchestra and the Academia Athens Youth Choir along with the Lykeion ton Ellinidon choir with soloist the mezzo-soprano Irini Karaianni.
The main dancers were Joshua Legge, Eleana Andreoudi, Ilhan Durgut, Davide Buffone, Evgenija Koskina and the Slovene National Theatre Maribor.
It was a night where ancient Greece (the venue) met contemporary Greece under the welcoming Attica sky; the ideal place to travel back to the beloved story of Zorba.
And what a storytelling with ballet dance! The most iconic scene in the movie is when the exuberant Zorba shows the shy Greek-British man how to dance sirtaki on the beach. The ballet rendition of the scene astounded the audience.
The “Zorba the Greek Ballet” at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus was a celebration of life, of all that is good and worth living for in this world. The story of the unique friendship between an uptight American writer (a “bookworm”) and the restless, coarse, often offensive, but good-hearted Zorba. Set to music and ballet, the re-telling of the story was heart-warming and joyous.
‘Zorba’ ballet to travel the World for a good cause
The year of the great event was not chosen haphazardly. The ballet performance marks the 60th anniversary of the Academy Award nominated legendary film “Zorba the Greek” and the timeless score composed by Mikis Theodorakis. The theme song is recognized across the world as “Sirtaki” or “Zorba’s Dance.” A theme that spells “Greece”.
The lucky Athenians who enjoyed the show are the first who immersed themselves in the captivating world of the “Zorba” ballet. As 2025 marks the centenary of Mikis Theodorakis’ birth, a global tour will bring “Zorba” to major cities such as London, Rome, Paris, Cairo, New York, Chicago, Melbourne, and Sydney throughout 2025 and 2026.
The uplifting night at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus was for a good cause. It was organized by the Thyateira Union, a philanthropic, cultural, and social organization committed to supporting the humanitarian work of His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain.
Thyateira Union distinguished members, Maria Tsifti and Nicolette Astyfidis, will allocate the event net proceeds to support the missionary work of Sister Nektaria, a nun dedicated to fighting poverty and illiteracy. An equal portion of the net proceeds will also be donated to support the important work of FLOGA, the Association of Parents of Children with Cancer.
His Eminence attended the event as a representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch, honoring this important initiative.
The Zorba the Greek Ballet event was co-organized by Ambrosia Capital, a leading financial investment company, securing significant sponsorships, to achieve its full artistic and philanthropic potential.
Related: The Fascinating Story of the Real-Life Alexis Zorbas