Epikyklos, an introduction to the world of Jani Christou

In Jani Christou’s eponymous work, “epikyklos” refers to the minor events of people’s lives within the context of great human History, which begins in the depths of Prehistory and extends to the distant future; the Post-History, according to Christou –a concept that transcends both time and space.

Christos’s Epikyklos was presented as a free happening at the Hilton Hotel in Athens during the 3rd Greek Week of Contemporary Music in December 1968. Dancers, performers and musicians took part in the events. There was a parallel projection of film and electronic sounds, in which the audience also participated, following an invitation from Christou himself in the newspapers of the time. 

Invited by the Festival as part of this year’s tribute to the composer, Costis Zouliatis will (de)coordinate an attempt to execute that open-ended work. “Epikyklos” will evolve from the participants’ free actions and the various ensembles created based on Christou’s basic instructions and views on stage performance. 

The workshop will start with a brief introduction to Christou’s musical and philosophical universe, and will be completed in two four-hour sessions.

The outcome of the workshop will be presented as a performance, evoking memories of an event that took place at the Homerion Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Chios in 2016.

Anyone interested is welcome to participate in the workshop, regardless of musical expertise.

Costis Zouliatis (b. 1979) is a musician, filmmaker and researcher, Doctor of the Department of Music Studies of the Ionian University. As a composer, improviser, and founding member of musical groups, he has created music for theatre, cinema and performance, and directed the film Anaparastasis: Life & Work of Jani Christou (1926-1970). As a scientific associate of the Athens Conservatoire, he has spent two decades studying the composer’s work, editing the archive and delivering important presentations.