Life Against the Odds
Thursday 30 November 2023, 19.00 at the Hellenic Centre, London
Many FOMA members will have heard Anna Conomos give her powerful, moving account of the expulsion of the Greeks from Smyrna in 1922, or of the plight of the Jews in Thessaloniki in the 1940’s. If you haven’t, here is another chance:
A fusion of dramatic storytelling, songs and music from the Greek, Jewish and Balkan traditions. A theatrical and moving performance of real-life narratives of the Jews in Thessaloniki, Greece during the Holocaust (1933-45).
There are very few Greek Jews left in Thessaloniki today and only a handful that have living memories of the Holocaust and who experienced the concentration camps. Storyteller and author Anna Conomos has conducted extensive research over the last two years in Greece, Poland, Israel and the UK – interviewing the last survivors and their families and visiting the landmarks of the Second World War that feature in her performance.
Conomos’ dramatic performance is inspired by their stories and by the stories of families that hid Jews during the Nazi occupation of Thessaloniki between 1941-1944. The performance includes music and songs.
“A vibrant mesmerising performer” – Jewish Museum, Sydney Australia
“Fascinating, spell binding, amazing!” – Dr Elias Dinas, Politics and International Relations, Oxford University
“I was in tears, it was most moving. The story was absolutely wonderful” – Professor Sebastian Brock, Oxford University
Tickets £10 each via the Hellenic Centre’s website
