#EndViolenceAgainstWomen Interviews: Director Maria Lekaki
November 25th calls us to confront violence against women and reflect on the importance of equality and safety in every person’s life. On this day, Winart gives a voice to two talented directors from Chania, Roussa Markaki and Maria Lekaki. Through their performances, the two creators highlight aspects of gender-based violence, provoking thought and sparking reflection in the audience.
What is your opinion on the importance and relevance of the issue?
In an era where femicides are announced almost every few days, it is at least necessary to raise awareness about the elimination of violence against women. However, we should not limit ourselves to this specific day or form of violence.
What role does gender-based violence play as a theme in your artistic work in general?
Gender-based violence, as well as all social issues, concern a large part of the population, and therefore many artists, which is reflected in their work to varying degrees. Personally, I try to express my concerns and to show my stance on social issues in my theatrical performances. I see it as a duty. I also consider it a duty to raise awareness among my students and actors during the preparation of a performance. It is a great achievement if some of them start thinking and reflecting every time. Awakening a person, whether they are participating in the performance or just an audience member, is the goal.
Which aspects of the issue of gender-based violence do you highlight in this specific performance and how do you approach it artistically?
In the theatrical performance “Μια Ελλάδα θέατρο” by Dimitris Malissovas, which we presented recently at the Venizelio Conservatory in Chania, among other things, the role of women in 1950s Greece is portrayed. More specifically, the position of women actors in traveling theater troupes is shown. Apart from the fact that they were stigmatized by society as immoral, we see scenes in the play depicting the difficult situations they faced, both in their romantic and professional relationships due to their gender.
Furthermore, in our next performance, “Φωνές του κόσμου” (Voices of the World), which presents key elements of the lives of women who have made history for their actions and the work they left behind, we also highlight the difficulties women faced throughout history due to their gender, as well as the revolutions some of them sparked to improve the situation for future generations.
