The REF has followed the growth of Greek choreographer Christos Papadopoulos since his debut on the European stage, presenting his creations year after year, from smaller venues to the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome, where he performed in 2024. For the 40th edition of the festival, Papadopoulos returns with My Fierce Ignorant Step, ten years after his first choreographic work. In this intimate and personal piece, the choreographer draws inspiration from the sound memories of his childhood, collective experiences shared by many Greeks that are linked to the fate of their country. Papadopoulos explores the relationship between word and body, seeking to understand how closely they can align. The dancers’ bodies become voices, their breath transforms into sound, guiding movements that are at times strong, at times delicate, like a dance that grows without end. The work also draws from the influence of Axion Esti by Mikis Theodorakis, investigating the connection between sound, speech, and movement, and seeking to turn this connection into a simple, transparent, and shared experience.
Concept & choreography: Christos Papadopoulos
Dancing and collaborating: Themis Andreoulaki, Maria Bregianni,
Amalia Kosma, Georgios Kotsifakis,
Sotiria Koutsopetrou, Tasos Nikas,
Spyros Ntogas, Ioanna Paraskevopoulou, Danae Pazirgiannidi, Adonis Vais
Dramaturgy consultant: Alexandros Mistriotis
Original music: Kornilios Selamsis
Associate composer: Jeph Vanger
Set design: Clio Boboti
Costumes design: Maria Panourgia
Lighting design: Stefanos Drousiotis
Vocal training: Apostolis Psichramis
Assistant to the choreographer: Sevasti Zafeira
Assistant to the set designer: Aggeliki Vasilopoulou-Kampitsi
Assistant to the costumes designer: Panayiotis Renieris
Coordination and line production: Zoe Mouschi – Rena Andreadaki
Tour lighting head: Alexandros Mavridis
Tour set manager: Marilena Kalaitzantonaki & Aggeliki Vasilopoulou-Kampitsi
Sound engineer: Kostis Pavlopoulos
Tour manager: Konstantina Papadopoulou
commissioned & produced by: onassis stegi
with the support of: dance reflections by van cleef & arpels
co-producers:
théâtre de la ville – paris (france)
julidans (the netherlands)
romaeuropa festival (italy)
théâtre d’orléans / scène nationale (france)
lac lugano arte e cultura (switzerland)
december dance concertgebouw brugge (belgium)
one dance festival (bulgaria)
festival de marseille (france)
i teatri di reggio emilia (italy)
& more to be announced soon
supported by the onassis stegi touring program
christos papadopoulos with my fierce ignorant step is nominated for the fedora van cleef & arpels dance prize 2025
with the financial support of the ministry of culture

