The operation of all services housed in the offices on Satovriandu Street, meetings of the Board of Directors in other places, consideration of the postponement of canceled concerts, as well as assistance in efforts to normalize the general situation are some of the characteristics of the activity National Theaterof which at least two buildings – Chiller and Rex – have been occupied for two weeks since art school students in protest against Presidential Decree 85/2022.

“The National Theater is trying to continue its work, as far as the closure of its two buildings allows,” the artistic director notes. John Moschos. OUR Vasilis PoulantsasThe Chairman of the Board of Directors (which is meeting today) confirms that the students have occupied the publishing house on the Central Stage, the lobby of the Nikos Kourkulos Stage and some parts of the Rex Theatre, and the only theater space that has been occupied is the experimental stage.

Theater Royal KTHBE, which remains occupied, locates the offices of the heads of the organization, who work remotely, on the premises of the Society for Macedonian Studies. Artistic director Asterios Peltekis hopes students will understand that the occupation “no longer makes sense” as their demands are addressed to the state. “The non-permission of performances only harms the theater,” he says characteristically.

“The rest of our stages – the Lazarist Monastery and the Society for Macedonian Studies – are working fine,” he explains, explaining that the public believes the occupation is about KTHB as a whole, resulting in reduced attendance. Canceled shows, he adds, will be rescheduled for new dates. “I am negotiating with the Thessaloniki Concert Hall so that we can find dates for some of our performances. Although they have their own programs, the response has been positive. If the occupations don’t stop, I hope we can find a solution there.”

“The National Theater is trying to continue its work, as far as the closure of its two buildings allows,” says G. Moskhos.

Meanwhile, the drama schools of the state theaters and DIPETHE in Patras are still busy with students, and students from the School of Fine Arts in Nafplio have put up banners in the ancient theater of Epidaurus. The Ethnikos students issued a statement yesterday on the same wavelength as the Panhellenic Federation of Observation and Hearing, reiterating that the government’s new proposal does not recognize the professional rights of “technological education” they claim.

Responding to a letter from POTHA yesterday, Nicolas Giatromanolakis, Deputy Minister for Contemporary Culture, stressed, among other things, that at the last meeting of artists and the government on February 15, the discussion was focused on wage issues.

In addition, the risk of losing academic semesters remains, and the authorities are looking for solutions. One is to persuade students to return to their courses (such a consultation will take place on Friday), and the Ministry of Culture may also play a role, which may allow the extension of the academic year. “We have a small margin so that the semester is not lost,” notes Yannis Rigas, head of the Greek Orthodox Drama School of Drama School of Greek Orthodoxy, and continues: “The law says that we must complete 26 weeks of classes. We did ten – sixteen. Restriction – until the end of July or even August, with the permission of the Board of Directors. theater. If it is exceeded, the ministry will have to grant an extension.”

Meanwhile, the PD protest banner was written by the actor Argyris Xafis during his arrival at the premiere of the film “Music” at the Berlinale, in which he participates, speaking about the artistic movements in Greece. The General Assembly of the Union of Greek Actors continued until late at night, where the prevailing trend was to continue mobilizations, but not in the form of strikes. There was also discussion about the possibility of submitting to the relevant ministries a proposal for an amendment to the legislation that would include artists in the category “Technological education” in accordance with the standards of law 4325/2015, which does the same for musicians working in municipalities. Finally, another scenario is a temporary cessation of mobilization in connection with the announcement of elections.