Life Against the Odds

Thursday 30 Nov 2023

A fusion of dramatic storytelling, songs and music from the Greek, Jewish and Balkan traditions. A theatrical and moving performance of real-life narratives of the Jews in Thessaloniki, Greece during the Holocaust (1933-45).

There are very few Greek Jews left in Thessaloniki today and only a handful that have living memories of the Holocaust and who experienced the concentration camps. Storyteller and author Anna Conomos has conducted extensive research over the last two years in Greece, Poland, Israel and the UK – interviewing the last survivors and their families and visiting the landmarks of the Second World War that feature in her performance.

Conomos’ dramatic performance is inspired by their stories and by the stories of families that hid Jews during the Nazi occupation of Thessaloniki between 1941-1944. The performance includes music and songs.

“A vibrant mesmerising performer” – Jewish Museum, Sydney Australia

“Fascinating, spell binding, amazing!” – Dr Elias Dinas, Politics and International Relations, Oxford University

“I was in tears, it was most moving. The story was absolutely wonderful” – Professor Sebastian Brock, Oxford University