POETIC CONSULTATIONS

"Poetry can heal anything.” Fernando Pessoa

As long as we cannot meet in auditoria, Onassis Stegi will call you on the phone. If someone choses a poem especially for you, would you like to hear it? How would you feel, if someone gave you a poetic “prescription” to banish the difficulties of our times? Designed by Τhéâtre de la Ville and in collaboration with cultural institutions across the globe, Poetic Consulations shows that art can forge fragile and poetic bonds. From 1 December, Onassis Stegi takes the lead. Established actors invite you to an original conversation. A simple idea transforms into a soothing ritual: the listener makes an appointment; the actor calls; they discuss for twenty minutes; he then recites a poem inspired by their exchange, and ends with a custom-made poetic “prescription”.

In a world weakened by the pandemic and at a time when borders are closing and communities are moving apart, these “consultations” re-establish a form of dialogue between countries, creating new links. Through poetry, we set the foundations of a new humanism through the support of visionary institutions across the world: from Paris (Τhéâtre de la Ville) to Florence (Teatro della Pergola), from Bucharest (Insula 42) to Berlin (Institut Français), from Africa (9 countries, 11 partners) to Athens (Onassis Stegi). Each institution employs actors to consult in their own language with local audiences, artists and audience, creating a poetic universe, a theatre without borders. Inside the house and far from the routine established a long time ago, poetry shows us a way to live, enjoy, feel and survive. By word of mouth in a world weakened by the pandemic and among small groups of people, “Poetic Consultations” are waiting for you on the other end of the line. Simply listen carefully. Poetic Consultations are free and open to all from 1 December at the following link: https://bookeo.com/consultationspoetiques.

As long as Greek productions cannot travel abroad, Onassis Stegi continues its work with new forms the cultural export in collaboration with European cultural institutions.

The project was conceived by Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota (Director of Τhéâtre de la Ville), Fabrice Melquiot (writer)

General Co-ordination: Alice Magdelénat, Julie Peigné, Loudice Gourmelon

Co-ordination of Greek “Poet Consultations”: Christina Liata

Production Assistant: Xenia Sotirchou

Organization of Production: Τhéâtre de la Ville, Paris

Co-organized and co-produced by Onassis Stegi, “Cultural Export Program”

The following Greek actors take part in Poetic Consultations: Dimitris Drosos, Maria Magkanari, and Argyris Xafis.

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In 2004, theatre director and later-to-be director of Τhéâtre de la Ville, Paris, Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota along with the writer Fabrice Melquiot envisioned Poetic Consultations in the streets of France. These consultations were born out of the desire to show special attention to local audiences through a unique act of oral transmission. They, thus, decided to recite a poem to someone. In 2020, Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota along with his theatre company decided to repeat this initiative this time at Théâtre de la Ville, where he has held the post of director since 2010. Hence, at the beginning of the lockdown poetic consultations were reinvented to adapt to the new situation.

More than 100 artists have offered consultations by phone. Actors of Théâtre de la Ville have been collaborating with actors from Italy, Greece, Romania, Hungary, Germany, Portugal, Senegal, Egypt, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, Taiwan, and France. Communicating in 22 languages, they create the Troupe de l'Imaginaire" (Imaginary Company). Since March 2020, more than 9500 people have received a “poetic prescription” across the world.

Information

Each person can register or register someone else by visiting the "Théâtre de la Ville" website, selecting a date, time, and language.

Book your poetic consultation here: https://bookeo.com/consultationspoetiques

An actor will call you at the selected time.

Availability – days and times – for the first two weeks of December:
Tuesday & Thursday 18:00-19:00, Saturday 11:00-12:00

The platform will be updated on a regular basis. For future available slots, please check the website regularly.

Appropriate for those aged from 8 to 118 years old.

More info: https://www.onassis.org/whats-on/poetic-consultations