The Promise is a story about the 1922 Greek -Turkish population exchange told through the eyes of two seven-year-old girls, one Greek the other Turkish, who lived on the outskirts of Izmir.

This narrative was created by award winning UK storyteller, Anna Conomos, in collaboration with Eric Loren and Storyspinner, a creative storytelling team based in London.

The Promise will be performed live at exhibition events (see CALENDAR for more). It is also available as an illustrated children's book (in Greek, published by Potamos), on DVD and other modes of outreach for schools.  Performances are available on DVD in English by Anna Conomos, in Turkish by Ayca Damgaci and in Greek by Efi Vlahoyianni. Greek musician Nikos Angelopoulos performs the background music and song accompaniment on a 'politiko laouto' (a lute or lavta).

Supported by the British Council, the Centre for Asia Minor Studies, Konstantinidis Pastry Shops and Vermantia Productions.

Educational Use

The Promise is a story aimed primarily for children aged between 7 and13.  It can be used as a comment on the history of the 1922 Asia Minor population exchange and on its impact on Greek and Turkish society. It can, moreover, operate also as a language tool.

The DVD has the advantage of permitting multiple replays of the live narration. As such, it can be used as an effective and versatile teaching aid: children can shape their own re-telling; analyse the story’s structure; develop skills in Greek, English or Turkish; discuss the characters; make story boards; create artwork; develop dramatic scenes; compose music… and of course, enjoy the shared experience of an imaginative story!

School teachers can use The Promise in class or order to prepare a visit to the ‘Twice A Stranger’ exhibition.

A copy of the DVD is available to accredited educators and a live performance may also be booked by contacting Elektra Peppa at the following email address: info@anemon.gr (tel. +302107211073).

For more about storyteller Anna Conomos, see www.performancestoryteller.com