The “other” home

by the En Dynami Group

directed by Eleni Efthymiou

What place does imagination have in the real world? How can it shape private and public space? What is home? Can a person with a disability freely shape the environment in which they live? Is the welfare system capable of serving individual needs and desires? And who can answer the torturous and persistent question of a parent asking: “What will happen to my child when I am gone?” The restless ‘En Dynami’ Group, its members with and without disabilities, explores the concept of space as a reflection of the identity of an individual. On the borderline between documentary production of the Onassis Cultural Centre is based on a collection of personal stories of its members related to disability. The “other” home  is produced by the Onassis Cultural Centre Athens and it received touring support for The 51st Dimitria Festival.

‘The “other” home’ is the result of many months of research carried out with targeted workshops, questionnaires and improvisation sessions by ‘En Dynami’, and also with interviews with people who are in the difficult social situation of living outside the structure and protection of their family (nursing homes, asylums, orphanages, boarding houses) against their will. In the performance, society, the “large home” to us all, intersects with the “other” home, the one society provides to vulnerable social groups. However, it also intersects with the dreams, hopes, fears and expectations of the members-individuals of the ‘En Dynami’ group. Different views of an unseen reality come to light, aiming at bridging the gap that separates us from our Other neighbour.

‘The “other” home’ performance is the second part of a trilogy with the general title ‘The Other ordinary’, based on an idea by artistic director of the ‘En Dynami’ group Eleni Dimopoulou, in order for the members of the group to publicly share their personal stories through the prism of an artistic event. ‘En Dynami’ was founded in 2008 by Eleni Dimopoulou and Maria Ioannidou, based on the belief that life is better when you share it creatively and aiming at fully incorporating handicapable individuals into society.

Project contributors
Concept: Eleni Dimopoulou
Direction & Music: Eleni Efthymiou
Research & writing: Eleni Efthymiou & ‘En Dynami’ group
Dramaturgy collaboration: Sophia Eftychiadou
Sets: Richard Anthony
Costumes: Laura Anna Lucas
Lighting design: Sakis Birbilis
Choreography & movement coach: Melpo Vasilikou, Vittoria Kotsalou
Visual environment & video: Dimitris Zachos
Sound design & orchestration: Odysseas Gallios
Assistant director: Sophia Antoniou
With: Cleo Antonopoulou, Vaso Asikoglou, Maria Dachlythra, Eleftheria Drakoulidou, Margarita Kainada, Anna Kalidseva, Anastasia Karyofylli, Evagelina Karyofylli, Maria Koltsida, Vangelis Kosmidis, Ilias Kougioumtzis, Giota Kouitzoglou, Nikos Kyparissis, Angelos Konstantinou, Loxandra Lucas, Dimitris Lyras, Dimitris Mexas, Thanos Nanasis, Michalis Dolopoulos, Vassilis Petrou, Zoe Tzika, Alexandros Chatsios
The compositions ‘Moni mou thelo’, ‘Apolia’ and ‘Thelo na boro na thelo – Dance’ that are heard during the performance, are by Odysseas Gallios.

Production and Touring Support: Onassis Cultural Centre Athens.