SHANTOM

THE FOUNDERS

Well known theatre and cinema actress, late Smaro Stefanidou and her daughter, dancer/choreographer/yoga and dance teacher as well as Dance Movement therapist Leda Shantala, decided to join forces and give flesh to their dream to express in a single space, different dynamics and cultural currents, through a variety of artistic offerings, performances, lessons and workshops. Their wish was and is to combine into this place, with warmth and care, the cultural experience and the values of yesterday with today's and tomorrow's tendencies and aspirations - with the common goal of promoting, lovingly and responsibly, the cultivation of cultural values.

In the picture: Indira Gandhi (Indian Prime Minister), Melina Merkouri (actress and former Minister of Culture),
Leda Shantala, Smaro Stefanidou and painter Yannis Tsarouchis

THE BUILDING

It is a three-storey multi-purpose cultural building, of approx. 400 square metres located at 35, Tripoleos street, corner with Evoias, in Kato Chlandri, five minutes from the "Cholargos" subway station (line 3).
It was conceived and constructed with the view of hosting many different events, not only our own but those of other collaborators, artists and scholars with similar objects of an artistic, spiritual and healing nature, as well as intercultural exchanges.
The building includes three studios of different sizes, which host regular lessons and workshops covering a wide range of tehniques, from dance and yoga to martial arts and alternative healing. The events are of a nature which strives to bridge different art forms such as theatre and dance with music, painting, visual arts etc...
We believe that it is very interesting for the lessons to take place in a place offering theatrical and poetic flair, showcasing the symbolic and psychic importance of theatre for human soul.

The ground floor studio - with view on a green garden - can double as a theatre with a capacity of 130 seats, for performances, concerts, lectures and exhibitions. It is within easy reach for persons of limited mobility.

WE AND YOU

Dear friends,

we have worked intensively,with inspiration and with optimism, giving attentive thought as to how a cultural building should be structured today, in order to meet the corporeal, psychological and spiritual needs of contemporary human beings - taking, at the same time, special care to ensure natural lighting while respecting the environment.

We think we give to the public a place which will embrace and support the dreams and needs of us all. A focal point of friendship, information, exercise, continuing education for all ages which will not be limited by the lessons and workshops but will also be available on other times as a place for entertainment and of meeting of spiritually-minded people who share common thoughts, experiences and love. By thus creating a spiritual family, we shall be able to counter, in the most qualitative way, the sense of loneliness and helplessness, so that each one of us shall receive the empowerment he or she needs in the personal course of their lives.

We would like to address especially the sensitive social groups such as immigrants, people with special needs, teenagers and senior citizens. Our goal is the expansion of mutual understanding and the normalisation of the integration of foreign citizens and people with special needs into the social web, as well as providing a healthy activity for young people, which will act as a prevention against dangerous tendencies(drugs, criminality etc..)

With a great sense of responsibility, countless personal sacrifices and great financial cost, we finished the material part of this great idea which you have brought to life with your preference, with the trust you show to us and with your presence. Shantom was born on November 2003 and, thanks to the continuing support of pupils and friends, it has grown, in the last years, with an expansion which surpassed our dreams, as its studios continue to fill up with new friends who bring yet other friends, showing their love.

All of us together will create new ways of harmonious coexistence. We will cultivate the ways which will bring us nearer to the great ideal of bodily health, inner harmony and love, and ultimately spiritual freedom.

 

Smaro Stefanidou. Leda Shantala

MANY DIFFERENT WAYS - RESPECT TOWARDS HUMANKIND

Our vision is deeply human. We believe in cultivating the body and the mind, in the spiritual value of the arts, in the need to exchange warmth and friendship. Each one of us is different and unique. Different experiences, different needs, different tendencies and talents. Shantom is a pair of open arms for everybody, with the belief that respect for diversity promotes the recognition of the unity of us all. The founders as well as all the collaborators and teachers in Shantom, we all think that there are many ways to cultivate ourselves, and different "paths", which may bring results, if someone serves them responsibly and faithfully.
We believe that quality of action is what urges us to inner evolution more than the goals of the action themselves. How we do something is more important than what we are doing. Shantom respects the variety of expression. All teachers and collaborators share this belief and each one of them, through his or her own lesson or personal service, strives to touch your soul so that we come nearer. Trust us. We have the knowledge, the experience and the good will. We are here to discuss all your issues and help you to select the lesson that suits you better.