An inclusive artistic work for people with and without visual disabilities, directed by Pavlos Pavlidis and directed by the blind tour guide Eleni Gouvatsou, inviting all visitors to take part with their eyes closed in a surreal, almost associative and exclusively acoustic journey to the place where the Eleusinian Mysteries were performed.
«Just because sight is lost does not mean that man is lost» said the first blind guide, Theodore Konstas, to whom the performance is dedicated.
The Mystery 140 Blind Guide starts when the natural light slowly fades. The blind tour guide Eleni Gkouvatsou’s perspective on space, time, dimensions, distances and life, gives new meaning not only to the view of the Elefsina Archaeological Site, but also to the viewers’ sense of the ordinary.
Giving vitality to stories from the past and present and as a living Mystery, the performance, like an acoustic tour, leads the audience on a dark but at the same time deeply luminous journey to Hades.
Few words about the Blind Guide
In April 2014 the qualification “Guide in museums and archaeological sites (People with visual or hearing impairments)” was added to the 4th IEK of Special Education in Agia Paraskevi, starting its pilot operation.
It is now deactivated. In October 2018, Theodore Konstas, the first blind tour guide worldwide, proposed to actress Marina Kalogirou to create a performance – tour in an archaeological site of the country, since despite completing his studies as a blind tour guide, he could not legally practice his profession and make his dream come true. The cultural organisations he contacted did not cooperate with his request. In April 2020, Theodore died.
Mystery 140 Blind Guide is inspired by the story of Theodore Konstas, representing a poetical performance – at the same time a realistic proposal for a new way of employment and inclusion for people with disabilities. A representative example is the profession of a tour guide in a country like Greece, with a number of world-renowned archaeological sites.
Dirtector’s Note
Inspired by the Eleusinian Mysteries and by the emotional effort of Theodore Konstas to become the world’s first blind guide in museums and archaeological sites, we explore the “moment” when the lack gives birth to imagination and the man tries to defeat death with life, seeking light through darkness. The scene does not exist. As in the dreams of a congenitally blind man. Through music, soundscapes and stories – real or not – we visit the Underworld and, by paying a tribute to our loved ones who have died, we try to accept the fact that we must live on.
With the kind support of the Lighthouse of the Blind of Greece and the Antonis & Ioannis Angelikous Foundation
Useful Information
The audience should arrive at the archaeological site at least 30 minutes in advance to check the entrance ticket, purchase the ticket and collect the necessary equipment. To borrow the equipment, it will be necessary to show an identification document (driving licence, identity card or passport).
After the start of the tour, the doors of the archaeological site will be closed and it will not be possible to enter. During the performance, spectators will be asked to walk a short distance through the archaeological site with their eyes closed with the help of guides.
Τhe second part of the performance is exclusively acoustic.
Audience members are recommended to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
With the support of the Ephorate of Antiquities of West Attica.
Warm thanks: to Christina Merkouri, Director of EF.A.D.A. and to Efstathia Anesti, Archaeologist of the EF.A.D.A., as well as to all the security personnel of the Archaeological site of Elefsina.
