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The Dean was in attendance and we were entertained by Milada and Martin's
delightful music. On Monday I spent the day painting a giant rendering of a flaming
torch for the steps of the Academy. Brenda helped me with this when she
could. At the appointed period the workshop was full again and we were privileged
to have a visit from Prof. Nicolaos Yalouris who answered many questions
from the participants on the subject of the ancient Altis. We all learn a great deal
from the professor, especially in the informal atmosphere of the workshop. We are
very fortunate to have the standards at the. Academy. The professor admired the
Greek dancing being performed by Mrs Hanley's dance troupe and was delighted
when Milada asked to play her violin for him.
On Wednesday morning Brenda assisted me in setting up the large "Flame
painting" on the Academy steps in three sections in preparation for the "Evening
of Fine-Arts" on Friday night.
This event was rehearsed on Thursday and involved forty-five participants.
Meanwhile some good work was being produced in the workshop. The equipment
there was also being put to use to make props and costumes for the social
evenings, on the occasion of their presentation. Brenda's help with this was again
significant.
Friday. The day of the Fine Art event arrived. It has become the one single
event in the session that involves the whole of the Academy. For dramatic effect I
waited until it was just getting dark then asked everyone to sit on the Academy
steps, thus forming an auditorium with the dignitaries at the top. An excellent
sound and lighting system had been set up by Mr Christines which turned the performance
into a stage.
Speaking in Greek I welcomed all to the event and said that the whole evening
was dedicated to the inspiration of Greece. "I aposini vradia ine afi-aromeni stin
elatha!"
First item on the agenda was the local traditional dance troupe who kindly performed
four excellent Greek dances. The young team is very professional and is
an example that in Greece tradition continues through the generation to keep the
spirit alive. Greeks have to dance. It is a shame this does not happen in more
countries.
Then Dr John Powell stepped to the microphone and read his excellent poem
"Beginnings", explaining to the audience that he only started writing poetry when
he came to Olympia:
Beginnings
Early incursions with tribes vying,
Jealous for space
Saw to it that century after century
As the land became more sparse
The trees felled and fired and occupations
Mixed the blood
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