KARAGHIOZIS

Karaghiozis is the Greek shadow puppet theatre. It is descendant of the ancient shadow puppets of the orient, through the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. The central figure is Karaghiozis himself who represents the struggle of the Greek people, particularly under the yoke of Turkish occupation.

Karaghiozis has a humped back which symbolizes the weight of the world. He has a big nose and one arm three times longer than the other and most of the stories performed are about his efforts to get money by impersonating some esteemed persons like a sea-captain, a military officer, a doctor, Alexander the Great and many other characters. He also uses his intelligence to achieve the small triumphs that eventually lead to larger disasters. Within the plot there are a lot of historical references and lots of symbolisms that make the show enjoyable to both children and adults.

It is suggested that perhaps Karaghiozis is the unwritten history of the Greek people trying to conform to the laws, customs, values, fashions and politics of Western Europe that had been imposed upon them by the countries that helped liberate them from the Turks. The Greeks with their own local traditions were trying to do things in a way that even though seemed superficial to them were essential to progress with the rest of the world.

The character of Karaghiozis actually comes from the Turkish word Karagoz who was a handsome and intelligent leading man type character in the shadow puppets of the Ottomans.

Before there were films and television there was Karaghiozis and travelling theatres would announce the show times in the main squares upon arrival in the villages and cities of Greece. Karaghiozis still exists today and every year Karaghiozis festivals are held in a lot of towns in Greece.

THE FIGURES OF KARAGHIOZIS

Karaghiozis

He represents the everyday man. He’s smart, good-hearted, a patriot, a politician, a lover, a singer and quick in reply. He’s sometimes rich, sometimes poor, sometimes stupid and sometimes bully. You can find him everywhere.

Aglaia

She is Karaghiozis’ wife. She is always patient with her husband.

Kollitiria

Kollitiris: He is Karaghizis’ eldest son. He is clever like his father.

Kopritis: He is Karaghiozis’ middle son. Everybody in the family wonders how he gets fat although he says he doesn’t eat!.

Mpirikokos: He is the youngest child in the family. He can’t pronounce the letter “R” and says “L” instead.

Hatziavatis

He is coward and cunning. He is also Karaghiozis’ closest friend.

Sior Dionysios

He is the offspring of a family from the Ionian island of Zakynthos that used to be rich. He is always disappointed by the women he loves and is often bitten. He speaks Greek in the dialect of the Ionian islands with Italian pronunciation.

Morfonios

His name means handsome. He is ugly with an enormous head and nose. He has got a short body and legs. He thinks he is handsome and laughs at ugly people.

Stavrakas

He is the bully guy of old Athens. Although he is poor, he pretends to be rich. He is always bitten.

Jewish Solomon

He is the Jewish character of old times. He is Karaghiozis’ landlord. He presses him to pay the rent and he is afraid of trials and quarrels. He thinks it is bad luck to collect the rent on Saturday and Karaghiozis always tells him he will pay him on Saturday. He uses a lot of Spanish words when he speaks.

Barba Yorgos (=Uncle George)

He represents the original Greek from the mountains. He is a strong person, honest and kind. He does not like spending money and he strongly wishes to get married. Karaghiozis is aware of all these characteristics and he often puts him into trouble. He has a loud voice with the pronunciation of people who live in villages.

Veligekas

He is of Albanian origin and Vezyris’ partner. He very often maltreats Karaghiozis but he is also afraid of his craftiness. Barba Yorgos sometimes bits him.

Vezyropoula

She is a symbol of beauty and a capable woman. A lot of men fall in love with her.

Vezyris

He is also called Pasha and lives in the Seraglio.