Ο Mπουρλοτιέρης των Ψυχών / Setting Fire to Souls
A play by Spyros Μelas, adapted and directed by Stavros Economidis, performed by the Hellenic Art Theatre
Papaflessas was a historical character, a priest who went to Constantinople to study but instead joined the “Friendly Society” (“Filiki Etaireia”), which was recruiting followers and gathering supplies for a revolution against the Ottoman Empire. In early 1821 he was in the Peloponnese inspiring Greeks with the will to fight for their long-awaited freedom. He took part personally in the fighting, and in 1823 became a minister in the government of Alexandros Mavrokordatos, but was killed in battle in 1825. Passionate and fearless, he was nonetheless a difficult and controversial character, a sinner as well as a saint.