2. No matter where
you are from
No matter what
your mother tongue is
No matter if you
are a child or an adult
Be part of a magic
participatory
cultural experience.
Be part of hundreds of
voices celebrating the
world’s greatest epics
…become a Reader of Homer!
3. Who we are
The Readers of Homer is a US-based non-profit 501(c)3 international literary organization which
produces marathon all-day or all-night readings/singings of Homer’s epics around the world, in
locations humble and sublime. During approximately 12 hours, 200-400 participants of all ages
and backgrounds offer, one after the other, each in their own way and in their preferred
language, their pre-assigned passages of the Iliad or the Odyssey, while thousands of audience
members enjoy the on-screen projection of related images and the corresponding text in the
language of the host country. Our events constitute a participatory approach to the seminal
intellectual and artistic contribution of Homer to global culture, and include a significant
educational and social dimension.
4. Our objectives
• the promotion of reading poetry aloud
• the recognition of the eternal immediacy of
Homer
• the honoring of the international translators of
his epics
• the offering of a multilayered audiovisual
experience to the public, as well as learning and
socialization opportunities to hundreds of
participants
5. In this multicultural magical atmosphere thousands of citizens, from members of
government to immigrant children, war veterans, distinguished academics, diplomats,
students and adults of several nations and in dozens of languages participate in the
marathon readings/singings of the Odyssey and the Iliad.
6. Global reach
Our events constitute a cultural initiative which has proven to successfully serve the Homeric
heritage and attract large audiences in major educational and cultural centres around the world.
Getty Villa, Los Angeles Hellenic Centre, London Olympics 2012
William Land Park, Sacramento Halles de Shaerbeek, Brussels
Gibson Ranch, Sacramento Medieval Castle of Kos, Greece
92nd Street Y, New York Daskalopetra of Chios, Greece
Orensanz Foundation, New York Odeum of Troy, Turkey
Dahesh Museum, New York ` Library of Alexandria, Egypt
University of Montevideo, Uruguay
7. Parallel events
The Homeric readings may be enhanced with a range of parallel events related to the poet and
his epics. These may range from lectures, seminars and round tables, to exhibitions, screenings,
theatre, music and dance performances, as well as Homeric feasts.
8.
9. Relevance
The tremendous success of the Homeric celebrations produced by The Readers of Homer has
led to an increased interest for future production of such events around the world, aiming at
a more systematic expression of appreciation towards the work of the great poet, a humble
yet grand celebration of his art and his diachronic messages. At a time when cultural
diversity and participatory approaches to the arts become more pertinent than ever, The
Readers of Homer’ suggest an innovative interactive experience that can appeal to and bring
together a diverse number of audiences.
10. Recent events
Les Halles de Schaerbeek - Brussels Hellenic Centre – London
May 16th 2012 July 21st 2012
10am – 2am 10am – 8pm
A marathon reading of the ODYSSEY A marathon reading of the ILIAD
by 400 European Citizens, in the by 200 participants , enhanced by
context of the initiative 12 Hours melodies from Daemonia Nymphe
on reconstructed Ancient
for Greece, aiming to send a
Greek instruments, in the context of
message of solidarity and raise the London 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES
funds for children affected by
the Greek crisis.
11.
12.
13. International reviews
As the sun was going down, we tasted black bread, honey, olives, strong wine and grapes, and entered the
space. 12 hours with the narrative wealth of the Odyssey, letting it take us into thoughts and stories and
relationships of the present, as if it was just written, describing our own lives, our own wars, our own
return. Thus the night unfolded, with one segment flowing into the next, from the child’s voice, into one’s
singing, into another’s mother tongue, from the ancient to the contemporary....
Lucia Rikaki - Film director, Greece
The success of Jornadas Homericas The brightest night of And from among all these many
in the midst of our troubled city our lives. voices, no one like the other, the
proved that civilization and its Pankoaki, Greece story unfolded. It was as if the
values can effectively counteract poem were stitched together – a
any kind of negativism that metaphor that Greeks used to
undermines human society. describe poetic composition –
El País, Uruguay The address may be slowly, word by word, over nine
Lexington Avenue and hours of reading
Magical atmosphere. 92nd Street, but the The Getty Iris, USA
A night that will not be setting was ancient
forgotten any time soon. Greece…
Kathimerini, Greece The New York Times, USA
The Homeric night, as part of the Hippocratia festival, proved to thousands of spectators that collective
effort, excellent organization, appreciation and promotion of our cultural heritage within a multicultural
environment, constitute fundamental ingredients for the intellectual, psychological and financial health
not only of the local society of Kos, but also of the international community of man.
Eleftheros Typos, Greece
15. Technical Requirements
The Homeric Readings, along with their parallel events, are simple
and flexible enough to adapt to all possible spaces, and have been
held with equal success in diverse venues, from university auditoria
and theatres to public spaces and archaeological sites. The list
below is indicative; technical aspects are finalized during general
rehearsal, on the eve of each event.
• A facility with basic theatrical lighting
• A sound and lights technician
• A reliable sound system
• A podium with light and microphone
• 4 wooden chairs or armchairs of same style and hue
• 2-4 additional chairs and microphones for musicians, if live
• For projections: two large screens (min. 3m width x 2m height) on the
back of the stage, ideally starting at 2m (above readers) upwards. A
reliable projector connected to our laptops in tech booth and a volunteer
to achieve perfect coordination of text and action on stage platform.
Optional: seminar rooms, lecture halls, theatres, exhibition spaces,
concert halls, screening rooms, dinning areas for parallel events
16. Our esteemed sponsors
Andres Mata Foundation | Mr. Ray Dowd | Ms. Marilena Inglessi
Mrs. and Mrs. Dino and Litsa Tsitsera | Ms. Roberta Nevers
17. Contact us
info@thereadersofhomer.org
www.thereadersofhomer.org
KATHRYN HOHLWEIN YANNIS SIMONIDES Prof. WILLIAM MULLEN
Founder & President Vice President and Managing Director Literary & Academic Advisor
khohlwein@gmail.com yannis.simonides@ellinikotheatro.org mullen@bard.edu
(916) 769 6446 (914) 325 8871 (845) 661 0799
LAURA HOHLWEIN STEPHANIA XYDIA
Art Director Press and Public Relations
hohlwein@mindspring.com stephania.xydia@ellinikotheatro.org
(916) 769 6441 011 30 6934 43 87 48
