program

FRIDAY AUGUST 3

MORNING - 10 O'CLOCK
Festival's opening ceremony in the Philippopoylos park of Sparta.
Ceremonial planting of an oak tree in honor of the German artist Joseph Beuys. The poet Mr ALDO RODA will recite the poem DIFESA DELLA NATURA - NATURE'S DEFENCE. Professor Andonio D'Avossa will explain the meaning of the planting of the oak tree and of the message of action in accordance with Beuys' philosophy. The poem will have been translated into Greek and will be distributed in the form of a small leaflet to those present.

MORNING: 10.45 - 14.00
Transfer to the Spartan Cultural Center. In the ground-floor foyer, an exhibition will be inaugurated with banners impressing Beuys' "credo" (key phrases which epitomize the philosophy) in combination with photographic material. First session: topic "who is Joseph Beuys?" Main speakers, Lucrezia de Domizio Durini and Professor Antonio D'Avossa.

EVENING - 18.30 O'CLOCK
Inauguration of the artistic intervention to the city of Sparta with the unveiling of the sign "EVERY MAN IS AN ARTIST" in the town's Central Square. The sign will remain in the Square throughout the three days, marking the festival, and then will be placed in an area yet to be decided on. Inauguration of the artistic work "ASCOLTA IL DHARMA" by the artist MARCO BAGNOLI. The park bench, a symbolic element, the park benches, the link which unites the town. The happening will also include an acoustic event which the artist himself has attended to. A work of art in its simplicity, its clarity and its truth "unites" the city of Sparta and gives a new dimension to the features of a truly historical town.

EVENING - 20.30
Closing of the Festival's first day with the participation in the inauguration of the "Olive and Oil F?te", the infamous Agrotouristic event of the Municipality of Inoundos. Official presentation of photographic work by the well known Greek photographer VANGELIS KYRIS, which was inspired by the olive tree. Artistic installation and action "OPEN THE WAY TO PEACE", a project based on the eternal symbolic identification of the olive tree as a peace plant. The flags of the countries of the world will be hung on the pine trees growing on the hill in the exhibition area, creating a unique place of "World encounter and reconciliation". Festive spirit and artistic closure with Greek circular dances with the participation of small children giving out little flags with the message "Open the way to Peace".

SATURDAY AUGUST 4

MORNING - 10 O'CLOCK
Inauguration of the work "THE WATCHMAN'S HOUSE" at the Hatzeli Factory, following the example of the respective ones around the world, New York, Tokyo etc. A bottle of Joseph Beuys' oil and a small work of art will be placed in a showcase. The work of art and the artistic intervention are signed by MARIO BOTTINELLI MONTANDON. A large sign will be hanging at the factory's entrance, pinpointing the area as one of great importance to the region's physiognomy and as a part of the Environmental Art Festival.

MORNING - 11.30 - 14.00 O'CLOCK
A second conference - presentation will be held at the Cultural Centre of Sparta: Joseph Beuys and Nature. Antonio D'Avossa: Nature (through the eyes and the works) of Joseph Beuys. Presentation of Beuys' two videos DIFESA DELLA NATURA & DIARY OF SEYCHELLES. Professor Antonio D'Avossa will present "Elements of Greek Character" in Beuys' work. "Philosophy and the spirit" by Beuys - a philosophical and artistic "umbrella" for the new festival.

AFTERNOON - 17.30 O'CLOCK UNTIL LATE

AN "OPEN DAY" IN GERAKI
AN AMBITIOUS PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AREA WITH A STRONG CULTURAL PHYSIOGNOMY AND GREAT POTENTIAL.

Opening ceremony of the "Open day at Geraki". The ceremony will take place in an especially set up part of the large oil factory in Geraki. Symbolic placement of a bottle of Joseph Beuys' olive oil. Creation of a small exhibition of the "Olive culture".

Inauguration of the GERAKI WALK. The WALK will allow the visitor to follow a path which will include the most important parts of the village. Our goal is that this WALK will be lengthened in the future and the aim is that the Architectural heritage and the interesting points of the village be highlighted. During this WALK, specific points and places will be set as "stops".

TWO DOORS - TWO COMMUNICATION GATES.
A typical door in Geraki will be sistered with the door at the Palazzo Durini in Bolognano. The mutual architectural elements "speak" of the communication between the cultures and their common points.

Inauguration of the the Municipality of Geronthron's New Shop which will contain typical regional products from textiles to agricultural products. This area will be a reference point for Geraki and the WALK. It is suggested that this area also be used as a "Tourist Reception and Information point" with informative material and maps.

ΣLinking of the three beautiful small churches on the village perimeter with the great artist GIUGLIO DE MITRI's sculpted books. A discreet artistic intervention filled with powerful symbolisms in spots filled with "light". The books refer to the Holy Gospels, to the historical dimensions and to the matter of spirituality.

The important Greek sculptor Kostas Varotsos leaves his imprint on the land with a work of art, inspired by the history and the Byzantine past of the region.

The Absolute Centre and end of the WALK will be the village square itself. A special display will be set up on the square and traditional delicacies and recipes will be given out aiming at the projection of the local gastronomy.

The closure of the OPEN DAY AT GERAKI will take place with an artistic event. During the first part, there will be the presentation of a fifteen minute Modern Dance solo by a dancer of the Sinequanon Contemporary Dance Group themed on the Strength of the Olive Tree. This very special artistic action will take place either in the village square, or in an especially transformed "cave". There will follow a traditional F?te. Both the village inhabitants as well as the local cultural groups from all over Laconia will participate and present their work.

SUNDAY AUGUST 5

Along the Evrotas River, and more specifically along the NEW WALK which was created by the municipality of Sparta, the symbolic, ecological project of global scale named "DO NOT CROSS" by MORENO GENTILI will be presented. At the same time, there will be presentations and actions by the University team which realized the "LIFE" project at the Evrotas River, aiming at the familiarization and the sensitization of the public towards the Evrotas and rivers in general, but also the handling and the protection of all waterways.

MORNING - 11.00 - 14.00 O'CLOCK
Convention: Subject: LACONIA, THE IDEAL PLACE FOR THE CREATION OF THE FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL ART FESTIVAL. Lectures about an institution in its beginning, an institution much needed in Greece. How important and necessary is the creation of an Environmental Art Festival? Why is Laconia the ideal place for the development of an Environmental Art Festival? Which will be the positive effects on the protection of the environment in Laconia, to the Agricultural Economy and in general, to the development of the Prefecture, resulting from the new institution? Convention: Beuys' economy and Cultural Tourism. Ending of the Congress' agenda with the signing of the declaration of the inauguration of the Festival.

EVENING - 20.30
Inauguration of the Artistic intervention by STEPHEN ANTONAKOS on a central building in the town of Sparta. Laconia honours a top class international artist of Laconian descent and the artist "returns to his roots with his work".

EVENING - 22.00 O'CLOCK
The Festival's final event will be an artistic evening which will take place at the Sainopoulion Amphitheatre of Sparta. A concert by the internationally known pianist and composer UMBERTO PETRIN and his famous musical project "Beuys' Voice". Ceremonial closure.