Since 2016, the Nicosia Book Fest has been giving authors, young and old, the opportunity to present their work to the public. The 2023 event took place on 7 and 8 October at the Acropolis Park. Among this year’s presentations, was the performance “Γράμμα από τη γυναίκα του πρωτομάστορα” (letter from the master mason’s wife), written by Form 3 students Danae Vrachimi and Marilia Christoforou and performed by Nikoletta Makridi of Form 7 and Anna Lorena Massia and Despina Kafkaridou of Form 6. The text had been originally written by Danae and Marilia two years ago when the topic of gender-based violence was discussed in their Form 1 Modern Greek class while being taught “Το Γιοφύρι της Άρτας” (The bridge of Arta). The girls’ text, edited by their teacher Mrs Stella Koutsoyianni Panteli, was first posted on the school’s Student Blog on the International Women’s Day of 2022. In the same year, Danae and Marilia’s text was dramatised and performed during a protest in Klauthmonos Square in Athens on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Danae and Marilia’s work was inspired by the sacrifice of a mason’s wife after a nightingale spoke in a human voice revealing what should be done for the bridge to be completed. Click here to read the girls’ original text.