“Children are our hope, but the authorities do not give them the attention they deserve. I wonder, children are our present and future”
Actress, set designer and clothing designer Christina Kouloubi In “Sunday night” he talked about art, acting, dancing and singing, including, of course, performances.
Baritone father, actress mother, Mr. Kouloubis, you inherited gifts from both your parents… How was Carmen Ruggeri as a mother, Andreas Kouloubis as a father?
“We enjoyed love, affection and care from both of our parents and we are one of the lucky ones because it still happens!”
What advice did they give you and your brother?
“By their example, we learned the value of true justice! Injustices happen, but the results of dedication and hard work – combined with skills – cannot be doubted!”
Did they read you a story?
“Almost every night – when there was no play, my father told stories with a golden voice! With the company! This was our game!”
Did you have a love for art from a young age?
“Yes, my nature was purely artistic, it could not be otherwise…”.
You studied at the Art School, you are an actor, a dancer, a singer, a piano player, in recent years you have been the right hand of your mother in her children’s performances, and you are implementing a wonderful project with your learned performances. Truly a treasure for children… Tell us about this collaboration.
“I feel that from the moment I joined the Children’s Theater I discovered the magical way of amazing CREATION with capital letters. Gratitude as an emotion dominates this precious collaboration!”
Do you ever agree or disagree with everything?
“We have a common code and it makes communication easier! Mutual respect and trust are the key words for success. Even when he doesn’t agree, he’s very supportive of my choices, which is incredibly creatively liberating!”
Tell us about The Magic Key you’re on tour with this summer…
“This is a literary tale full of symbolism by Penelope Delta! Our troupe is made up of outstanding artists, and I am proud of that.”
How important is theater for children and what does it offer them?
“The theater unites all arts, offers knowledge, aesthetic education, sensitizes young and old viewers, because the heroes of the plays have human characteristics that we can understand and identify with. The theater fascinates us, it is a mirror of life, we definitely leave richer from a performance made with love and taste!”.
Are children harsher judges?
“Children have instincts and do not mince their words. They will say what they think. They feel with sincerity, passion and enthusiasm, so they recognize the same strong feelings in us! Sparking our creativity for kids is a big challenge!”
What did they say to you after a performance that impressed you?
“I was Penelope in the Odyssey, in one scene the goddess Athena touched me with a stick, and I became “younger, more beautiful” in the eyes of my foreign husband Odysseus!
At the end of the show, a beautiful little boy, who happened to be called Odysseus, asked me with surprised looks, how did the magic happen, how did you grow tall, where did you become beautiful?
How do you choose a project? What should come first?
«We make the choice in a playful and democratic way, as we usually let the children decide with applause which project we will upload next year!
It’s interesting because children’s instinct and truth guide us in everything we do!
The projects we prepare have messages that awaken and entertain! They offer knowledge without didacticism and rigor.”
Does the government support your industry?
“Children are our hope, but the authorities do not give them the attention they deserve. It’s interesting, children are our present and future.”
What advice would you give to parents in this time when it is so difficult to raise a child?
“Loving them unconditionally, but setting limits for them. They help them feel safe!”
But what… Christina values, what does she hate, what is she afraid of?
“I appreciate the gift of life! Creativity that brings love, romance, balance! I hate irony, arrogance, I am angry at ingratitude. I am afraid of loss, helplessness, being forgotten…”.
Do you have a motto for overcoming adversity?
“Strength in togetherness”. I believe in the power of “togetherness” of dynamic units.
As a young girl, what values in life are most important to you?
“Thanks for the flattering description, the truth is I feel like I was born yesterday! “Development and self-care on all levels is a way of life for me.”
What else are you preparing for winter?
«I have started to dream and organize the construction of Mozart’s “Magic Court”, as well as “Argonautic expedition”, the famous musical fairy tale, which we will stage “Carmen Ruggeri children’s scene” at the Ark Theater next winter. Christmas theater, a Greek mythology blockbuster for the whole family! In Crete, we will stage Homer’s shocking epic, The Odyssey, at the Heraklion Cultural Center!
Who is Christina Kouloubi?
Christina Kulumpi was born in Athens. He studied at the Academy of Arts and at the same time at the Drama School of the National Theater, where he graduated with honors. Studied dance, piano and singing.
He participated in acting workshops at the Experimental School of the National Theater and ancient drama workshops with Anatoly Vasiliev and Eleni Skoti.
As an actor, stage designer and costume designer, he has collaborated with many theaters and groups of the Free Theater and well-known Greek directors. He also participated in serials.
He has illustrated books. Visual artist Rena Anousi-Ilias, Art teacher, played a crucial role in her course. He is a founding member of Carmen Ruggeri’s “Rakosyllektes” Theater Group and has been directing plays for children since 2014.