By Nicolas Bard

The Apollo Municipal Theater is undoubtedly the emblem of Ermoupolis and is inextricably linked to the history of the capital of the Cyclades. The city, a creation of refugees in the early 19th century, was a social, economic and architectural miracle, with stunning spiritual movement and radiation for the era. So in this area the convenience of Greece was created for the creation of the first lyric theater of Greece.

Nowadays at the Apollo Theater there are important cultural events. Throughout the year it hosts theatrical performances, artistic events, as well as international festivals, including opera, music and dance by local and international artists.

Theater

Festivals that have been present at the Syrian Culture Program for several years and have been offering a high quality spectacle for opera, music, dance and art lovers, are the International Aegean Festival, the International Classical Music Festival, the International Classical Music Festival Jazz Festival, the Ermoupolis Panhellenic Choir, the Guitar Festival, the Rebetiko Festival and others.
A small exhibition of “memories” on the top floor of the theater hosts findings of Syrians and other artists, old posters and programs, manuscripts and theatrical content forms, rich photographic material and objects that played an important role in its history.

Brief historical backlash

The need to find a permanent theatrical housing for the intense artistic creation that had been expressed in shelters, wooden warehouses, clubs and cafes in Ermoupolis since 1828, led the then Municipal Council to the construction of theater in the heart of the city.
The construction of the theater was completed in just two years (1862-1864) in designs by architect Pietro Sampo. Its design shows standards and influences from at least four Italian theaters: Milan’s staircase (1776), the renovated “San Carlo” theater in Naples (1816), the Academic Theater at Castelfranco (1745) and the “Teatro della Pergola” (1755). These influences make it unique to Greek data, and give Venetian air to the modern urban fabric.
The inauguration of the building took place with great official and glamor on April 20, 1864, in the presence of its inspirer, Miche Salvagou, with Verdi’s “Rigoletto” opera, and Parallel Donizetti’s “Favorita”, “Traviata” and “Ballo in Maschera” by Verdi.
The theater has experienced great glory, following the unique course and prosperity of Ermoupolis, while hosting the stage of distinguished artists and great troupes from Greece and abroad, with a variety of repertoire and emphasis on the lyric theater. He even continued to attract the artistic interest of well -known troupes even when the economic decline of the city had begun to be felt, from the early 20th century to the interwar period. During the Occupation the theater was used by the Italian and then the German guard as a cinema. With liberation, he continued the film screenings, hosting sporadic and theatrical performances.
His latest flash, Dario Nicodemi’s “Shadow” play “Shadow” with Marika Kotopouli, in the last – also – performance of her life (1953). Shortly afterwards, the theater was closed, as it was considered dangerous and inappropriate to host artists and audiences. In 1970, a first attempt to renovate it, but it remained unfinished due to lack of resources, causing a great deal of alteration inside.
The restoration of the theater in its original form has been a constant demand of the local community and cultural associations for years. With enormous difficulties from 1978 to 2000, the contribution of Syros amateur troupes was constantly increasing. With their performances they gave alive to the “Yapi” theater. The perseverance and patience of the municipal authority and the Syrian society eventually attributed!
In the 90s The rehabilitation began, based on a group of architects led by Petros D. Pikionis, funded by resources of the European Union and the Ministry of Culture, and completed in 2000 when it was inaugurated on July 17th under the municipality of Yiannis Dimavalla, with the work of “Vaptisti”. The exquisite floors that adorn it and magnetize the look, when you enter the theater, are the work of the painter Dimitris Fortsas.
Today, the beautiful and mansion theater of Apollo is still a pocket of culture in the heart of Ermoupolis, while many people visit it and gives it the attention and love it deserves. His history and regeneration is a typical example that when we are united we can achieve a lot. The inhabitants of Ermoupolis and the restless artists have managed to save this architectural and cultural ornament of their city, and give it a second life, a second chance, to inherit it to future generations and to become a community of the highest forms. So if you are on the island, it is worth taking a stop in this historic Ermoupolis landmark.