The legend of Kópakonan

The Legend of Kópakonan

Directed by Hristos Tolis, this project saw the beautiful romaneaque church of St. Donatus in Zadar, Croatia transformed into a stage for this story, immersing the audience in one of the most beautiful European legends with roots in Celtic and Norse mythology. From the narration of the renowned Zadar actress, passionate storyteller and famous puppeteer Sanja Grgina, the most unusual characters gathered around Kópakonan, a mermaid or one of the mermaids from the Faroe Islands known as Selkie, will emerge. The organizer of the Zadar Organ Festival which hosted this event, Tea Kulaš provided the soundscape on the organ, in collaboration with cellist Joasia Cieślak. However, instead of the cello, that musician played the halldorophone, an innovative new cello-like electric instrument named after its inventor, Icelander Halldór Úlfarsson. The entire experience was complemented by the sounds of the Zadar Sea Organ and Projection mapping sculpted by Hristos Tolis, which together with lighting design by Alexandros Politakis, transformed the stage in an underwater temple.