Prima Volta

GNO Learning & Participation Lead Donor 

Prima Volta is funded by the Ministry of Culture, as part of the work “Sub 1.1.6 Attracting individuals aged 65 and over and individuals with disabilities to events of the Greek National Opera,” which is implemented as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0” with funds from the European Union – NextGenerationEU.

How many stories can a neighbourhood hide?

 Knowing now that they are endless, Prima Volta returns this year to continue its journey through Athens, with new stops, memories, and voices that will culminate in a music theatre performance open to the audience.

 Last year, the first two cycles of the programme concluded successfully, welcoming more than 170 participants aged 65 and over. This year, Prima Volta continues to bring once again shorter and longer city stories to the foreground: How many narrations can fit in the same alley? How many memories can a photograph evoke? How many songs and “Ópas” are needed to set up a celebration?

From September to November, the programme will be conducted in the Friendship Clubs of Saint Paul, Akadimia Platonos, Lambrini, Gyzi, Kypseli, and Saint Artemios neighbourhoods, where participants will share stories from these areas, recompose memories through photographs, sing familiar tunes, and discover new melodies.

Using tools taken from the world of opera and music theatre, and with the voices, images, and experiences of participants serving as a vehicle, Prima Volta will weave once again a thread between the past and the present, turning each gathering into a small celebration filled with singing, emotions, memories, and toasts to the future.

With the support of the City of Athens