Speaking to the Stars
16 - 23 July 2012
with Roi Gal Or and Stella Kassimati
In the writings of Homer (1000 BC), the Gods were intimately involved in human affairs, controlling and guiding the destiny of human beings, but humans had very limited freedom. Today individual freedom is of great value, often at the expense of our relationship with the natural world. Our freedom is essential, yet we long for connection, guidance and inspiration at a time when it seems the Gods and Goddesses have grown silent.
In the village of Amari, cradled in the foothills of the majestic Psiloriti (Idi) mountain, we will experience a traditional Cretan harvest time, walk the paths of the ancients, creatively and playfully discover new ways of communicating with ourselves, with nature and with each other.
Join us for 8 days in the Ancient Cretan landscape to explore the dwelling places of Homer's Gods and Goddesses. By the sea, within caves and on the mountains we will discover the meeting place between Myth and autobiographical storytelling, bringing to life our personal journey , celebrating human freedom and responsibility and how they are deeply connected with nature.
Request a booking form. Book early (3months ahead) and receive a gift of organic Amari wine or olive oil on arrival in Amari
Still a few places available - book now!
Click on names for more information about the course facilitators.
Cost per person - click to view >
Taking up the Threads
An exploration in forms, images and stories of the Cretan labyrinth
27 August - 3 September 2012
with Anne Crivits and Kathleen van der Weerd
In line drawing and movement we will span an arch from the earliest form of labyrinth --- the meander --- over the labyrinth of Knossos, to the wonderful culmination of this archetype in the labyrinth of Chartres. What threads connect these forms? How have they evolved, and what energies have carried this process?
The sessions will be framed in the stories belonging to Knossos: of Daedalus who built the labyrinth;
of Europa, abducted and brought to Crete by Zeus; of Minos, Pasiphae, and the Minotaur Asterion;
of Theseus and Ariadne, their adventures and destinies.
With the insights gained while drawing, forming, walking and listening we will turn to the Cretan labyrinth. What meaning can this labyrinth offer us now, in our own time?
With these questions in mind we will begin to recreate the Cretan labyrinth, a turf labyrinth laid in gravel and stones, in Amari. When all is ready, we will celebrate it!
Request a booking form Book early (3months ahead) and receive a gift of organic Amari wine or olive oil on arrival in Amari
Cost per person - click to view >
The Odyssey
27 October - 2 November 2012
with Hugh Lupton and Daniel Morden
Come explore this timeless epic, develop storytelling skills, and on the last day participate in a marathon retelling of Odysseus's long journey home. Some storytelling experience essential. This is a unique opportunity to study with two masters of the genre. Their work on the Greek epics (The Iliad, the Odyssey and Metamorphoses) has received worldwide acclaim.
Request a booking form Book early (3months ahead) and receive a gift of organic Amari wine or olive oil on arrival in Amari
Cost per person for all courses:
For non-members: £555 or €650
For members: £535 or €630
Book early (3months ahead) and receive a gift of organic Amari wine or olive oil on arrival in Amari
Price includes:
Tuition fees, accommodation in 2 or 3bed rooms with shared facilities.
All meals starting with dinner on first day and ending with breakfast on last day.
Excursions, advice on travelling and guest membership fee for non-members.
For "The Odyssey" also included in the price is ticket to Hugh Lupton's and Daniel Morden's performance of the "The Iliad" and transfers to the venue.
Expenses NOT included in prices:
- Travel to and from Amari
- Personal and travel insurance cover
- Personal drinks, e.g. wine with meals
A Gathering of Friends
10 - 17 April
For members and friends/Για τα μέλη μας και φίλους
An opportunity for friends and members of Friends of Amari from many cultures to meet, spend time together and see what spontaneously unfolds.
There is no set program for this week.
Anything can happen!
Join us in Amari!
Μια ευκαιρία για τα τους φίλους και τα μέλη του Συλλόγου "Φίλοι του Αμαρίου" από διαφορετικές χώρες και πολιτισμούς να συναντηθούν, να περάσουν όμορφα παρέα και να ανακαλύψουν τι ωραία πράγματα μπορεί να προκύψουν στην πορεία.
Δεν υπάρχει συγκεκριμένο πρόγραμμα αυτήν την εβδομάδα - όλα είναι πιθανά!
Ελάτε μαζί μας στο Αμάρι!
Cost per person,excl.travel - £190
Spaces limited, Book early.
Programme 2011
Mixing the Muses: Storytelling for today
1-8 June 2011
with Michael Harvey
In the spirit of the drama festivals of Ancient Greece that staged the best of 'high' and 'low' art side by side we will explore the place of high tragedy and broad comedy in our storytelling. We will aim to bring together both the sublime and the earthy in our telling in a celebration of the fullness of life, our own unique individual voices and the audience's engagement and response.
The work will be practical with ample opportunities to prepare material, work individually and in groups, share work in progress and receive constructive feedback
This course aims to find a place for both catharsis and the belly laugh in contemporary storytelling. Please bring stories that reflect these two qualities to work on and share.
Cost per person, excl. travel for members - £450 or €550
Cost per person, excl. travel for non-members - £470 or €570
includes: tuition, accommodation, meals, advice on travelling and guest membership fee for non members
It's all Greek to me
24-31 July 2011
with Katerina Vachou
Come and join us in an 8-day residential course; on a journey to the Greek language through speech and movement, play and stories that will be created by you, the participants. You will be amazed to see how easy it is to swim in such a "difficult and strange" language when language becomes alive and speaks to the whole of our being. We "are all Greeks" after all! Suitable for beginners.
Cost per person, excl. travel for members - £450 or €550
Cost per person, excl. travel for non-members - £470 or €570
includes: tuition, accommodation, meals, advice on travelling and guest membership fee for non members
1st Story Feast in Amari
30 July - 5 August 2011
"The Paths of Love "
Saturday 30/07 9.00pm Fourfouras "Festive Opening"
Storytellers: Katerina Vlachou, Antonia Velliou and Ifigenia Kakridoni
Music/Songs: Musicians from Amari
Sunday 31/07 9.00pm Nithavri "The eve of Christ's Metamorphosis"
Storyteller: Valentina Papadimitraki Musician: Alexandros Ieronimides
Monday 1/8 9.00pm Gerakari "The Odyssey: the Home Coming"
Storyteller: Mania Maratou
Tuesday 2/8 9.00pm Platanos "Take my words, give me your hand..."
Storyteller: Dimitirs Prousalis
Wednesday 3/8 6.30pm Apostoli "The magic of love"
Storyteller: Maria Tsouknaki Musician: Alkis Paschalides
9.00pm Meronas "Mergielemenos"
Storyteller: Anthi Thanou Musician: Panayotis Koulelis
Thursday 4/8 9.00pm Vistagi "From end to end"
Storytellers: Katya Kountouri and Electra Nega
Friday 5/8 6.30pm Kaloidena, Ano Meros "The Kingdom of Love"
Storyteller: Katerina Vlachou
9.00pm Nefs Amari „....for an empty shirt, for a Helen"
Storytellers: Paramythokores - Antonia Velliou, Ifigenia Kakridoni and Vasilia Vaxevani
Workshops in Nefs Amari:
Sunday 31/07 10.00 - 14.00 with Katerina Vlachou:
"The Art of Speech - storytelling"
Tuesday 2/8 10.00 - 14.00 with Manya Maratou:
"Koutsouna, the doll, Enigmas and Homer"
Thursday 4/8 10.00 - 14.00 with Anthi Thanou:
"... and I was there too ... bringing a story to life"
We have lived wonderful weeks in Amari:
1-8 June, 2011 - Mixing the Muses
30 July - 5 August, 2011 - 1st Story Feast
13-20 August, 2010 - Gathering of Friends
24-30 October, 2010 - Myth and Music
13-21 July, 2009 - Bring your Stories to LIfe - Biographical Storytelling
13 - 21 August, 2008 - Bring your Stories to Life - Biographical Storytelling
27 Aug - 3 Sept, 2008 - The Dionysian Week with the Gods
28 Aug - 4 Sept, 2006 - Pioneering Week
