Prometheus in Athens

NAME: LAZAROS PETROMELIDIS

AGE: 47

PLACE OF RESIDENCE: VYRONAS

BORN: DRAPETSONA, PIRAEUS

ORIGIN: ASIA MINOR AND MYKONOS

ON THE DAY OF THE PERFORMANCE HE WILL WALK FROM HIS HOUSE IN VYRONAS TO THE HERODEION. HE WILL HAVE TO MAKE 5,200 STEPS.

 

In 1992, when he was 29, the Government took away his passport because he didn’t want to join the army and do the compulsory military service. Until 2007 he couldn’t leave his country, he had gone 16 times to court and 3 times to jail: "I think that my case is unique in Greece".

In 2007, when he was 45 and couldn't be persecuted anymore, his passport was returned to him. "Since then I’m trying to make up for the lost time and travel as much as possible. Only last year I visited Barcelona, Brussels and Mauritius".

He studied Economics at the University of Athens, which wasn't his first choice, "but later on became valuable, because I learned how to combine numbers with social function and contribution".

He started working at his parents business (a gift shop), but quit "because I didn't like trade as a process". After doing several jobs (handing out brochures, selling books, teaching), in 1997 he became more socially active and his "second work period" started: "Support of vulnerable groups".

Today he is the director of the Greek Refugee Council and member of the Conscientious Objectors Association.

From the Aeschylus’ text he identifies with Prometheus, because "just like him, I was being punished for something that I thought was the right thing. Just like him, I was trapped in one place".