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Memoirs describes his beginnings, the 1914-18 war, the coffee houses all
over Greece where he performed and became famous, World War II and the
German Occupation.
History and Art of
Karagiosis tells the main schools of shadow puppetry, the best known
puppeteers: ‘Antonis Poriotis. A good player but he died of too much wine in
1938.
It gives the main Karagiosis
characters and lists the best-known plays. The book is illustrated with
Spatharis’ own shadow figures.
I didn’t join the army
until 1914 because my name was not down on the call -up lists…My father
gave me ninety-five cents all in five cent pieces, saying: “here you are
my son, take these, they’re all I’ve got.” …I was a muleteer in the second
divisional workshop unit….As if it were not enough that I should have a
vicious mule, I had over me a sergeant who had taken a dislike to me…
Suddenly I saw General Kontarato in front of me, pointing to me and
saying: “You there! What are we all here for?” I “We are soldiers united
in brotherhood to defend our country” The General: “Well said! Until that
time comes we must do what we can to keep each other amused. Now get
behind the screen and do us a show.”
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