ATHENS – The grand opening of Endyma Psychis (Clothing of the Soul) by Vangelis Kyris and Anatoli Georgiev takes place Saturday, August 7, 9 PM, at the Kalamata Dance Hall, Artemidos 24 in Kalamata.

The most representative costumes of the Folklore Collection of the National History Museum are rewriting history. They return to the forefront, captured for the first time visually, through the emblematic collaboration of the renowned photographer Vangelis Kyris and the exponent of the embroidery art Anatoli Georgiev. The collaboration of the two artists and the National Historical Museum is entitled Endyma Psychis (Clothes of the Soul) and is part of the anniversary program of the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece for the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.

Overcoming the multiple objective difficulties of the project, Kyris and Georgiev worked closely with the National History Museum for more than two years.

Costumes of inestimable historical significance that record the identity of our costume heritage from the 18th to the 19th century, came to light for the first time in decades. The rare exhibits of the museum which among other things houses the costumes of historical figures and fighters such as Dimitrios Goudis, Gennaios Kolokotronis, Vassos Mavrovouniotis, Dimitrios Mavromichalis, politicians such as Ioannis Gennadios and King Otto, and ladies of the time Kyriakoula Kriezi, Kondylo Miaouli, Kyra Frosini, Fotini Gennaiou Kolokotroni, Fotini Mavromichali, Roza Botsari, found a new life for a while. Costumes of historical value were worn for the first time in two centuries. And they came to life again to be captured by the "magic" lens of Vangelis Kyris. The shots were then printed on fabric. And in their new guise, they formed the basis for the excellent embroidery of Anatoli Georgiev.

The result of the collaboration of the two artists is an impressive volume of work, 128 works in total that act as a tribute to Greek clothing. The initiative highlights in the best way the richness and diversity of our clothing heritage.

The presentation of all the works is scheduled to premiere in 2022 at the National Historical Museum in the Old Parliament building of Athens.

The George and Victoria Karelia Foundation, a staunch supporter of science and the arts but also of Greek tradition and heritage, embraces the long-awaited exhibition, bringing a great sample of 30 works to the city of Kalamata, a year before their official presentation in Athens.

For the special presentation of the exhibition in Kalamata, two more important artists are recruited, giving the project a new drama and giving the visitor the possibility of a complete experiential tour. The works of Vangelis Kyris and Anatoli Georgiev are illuminated by the great lighting designer Eleftheria Deko, while they are dressed musically with the original soundtrack by Dimitris Bakas.

The relocation of the exhibition is the main anniversary activity of the George and Victoria Karelia Foundation for the 200 years since the Greek Revolution. With this gesture, the Foundation honors the first free city of modern Greece.

Special mention should be made of the Endyma Psychis (Clothing of the Soul) 320-page catalog which accompanies the exhibition. This is an initiative of the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece and the National Historical Museum, which is also implemented with the kind sponsorship of the George and Victoria Karelia Foundation.

The exhibition in Kalamata runs August 7-September 11. Hours: 10 AM-10 PM.