✔ Travelling to the Ancient Theatre of Aigai (2nd P.S. of Ptolemaida ✔ Adopting an Ancient Theatre (1st P.S. of Nea Anchialos,

Travelling to the Ancient Theatre of Aigai

“Travelling around Greece. To Yesterday. To Today. To Tomorrow. ” is the name of our project and we, the 2nd Primary School of Ptolemaida, have decided that this school year we would travel backwards, to the very old days, when ancient poets narrated sometimes comically and others dramatically the stories of glorious men and women and all kinds of citizens would gather around to listen to and learn about the feats of the heroes and heroines of Ancient Greece. We set sail on this trip, which began in February 2022, as the 6th Class of our school and we had fine co-travelers along the way, the 6th Class of the 1st Primary School of Nea Agchialos, Magnesia. The two schools planned together online meetings, during which we presented ourselves, our school, the research we did regarding the Ancient Theatre, crafts, sketches, drawings and original texts. The pupils of N. Agchialos even presented to us a traditional dance of their region. Another pleasant surprise for us was the packet of Easter cards and patterns-ideas for mask constructions we received by our fellow travelers.

What made our collaboration even more special was our live meeting in Vergina, the Imathia Prefecture, in late May, thanks to our visit to the Ancient Theatre of Aigai, which has been adopted by our school as part of our participation to the project “Adoption of Ancient Theatres” , held by DIAZOMA association. What a strange and unique event when the wish for a meeting turns into reality and how fascinating to watch this feeling being reflected on the children’s faces and talks! It all made great impression to us and gave strength for what’s coming.

In this effort, then, we acted as writers,

columnists, translators, painters and sketch artists in order to explore the various aspects of life in Ancient Greece and the Ancient Theatre in particular. For this reason, we scheduled numerous actions. Firstly, we collected data about the Ancient Theatre, we watched videos and played interactive games. We made ancient theatre masks with the contribution of the school’s Art teacher, Andromachi Andreou, as well a model scene of ancient comedy and tragedy with Lego action figures.

What is more, our Music teacher, Sophocles Sapounas, informed us about music accompanying performances in Ancient Theatre and social life in antiquity. The directortheatrologist and former teacher, Konstantinos Mpampilas, talked to us about the significance of chorus parts in ancient writers’ plays and also engaged us in theatrical games practicing orthophony and correct posture. The school’s Physical Education teacher, Alexandra Grigoriadou, talked to us about the importance of physical exercise and Olympic Sports in Ancient times. We gained knowledge concerning the Pentathlon, the sport at which men competed and our pupils reenacted its five parts namely the javelin, wrestling, discus, long jump and foot race.

Our journey peaked at our visit to the Ancient Theatre of Aigai, where we performed part of Aristophanes’ the “Birds” in English, the way it was adapted by the author, Sophia Zarampouka.

Congratulations to all the pupils of 6th Class!

The pupils of 6th class of the 2nd Primary School of Ptolemaida

Vaggelis G., Sokratis I., Nikos K., Athanasia K., Christos K., Kleidi K., Athina K., Theodora L., Ioanna M., Arcontoula M., Lazaros S., Christos T., Nikos T., Petros T., Chrysa T., Georgia H.

Teacher in charge Xanthippi Avramidou