The anticipation of the Resurrection is a religious and cultural experience, symbolising deification, the passage from death to life, human suffering, and the hope for a new life. Alzheimer Larissa, as part of the transition from the Epitaph lament to the Light, performed an event of encouragement, motivation and love. The president of the Hellenic Alzheimer’s Association in Larissa (E.E.N.A.L.), Helen Nifli, introduced the elderly to the Easter climate and the spirit of the Resurrection, narrating excerpts from the poems of Dionysios Solomos and Stelios Sperantzas.
The mosaic of approaches through the lyrics created a travelogue with distinct memories, transporting the elderly back to personal Easters past:
Chris described the procedure of the roasting of the lamb in his village, in a flower-strewn courtyard, with traditional music and dancing. Vaya spoke about Easter on the mountain with the bells sounding joyful and the churches flooded with light and smiling people. Nikos described the customs of the island, focusing on the Resurrection message emerging from the echoes of the boats. Each elderly person, through the experiential paths, described their own Easter and Resurrection.
Afterwards, Mrs Grammanoudi talked to them about the symbolism of red eggs and white candles. The elderly were excited and talked about the godmother's Easter candle, which they held at the Resurrection Service with pride, as well as about the cracking of eggs on Easter Sunday evening.
This was followed by the offering of greeting cards, candles and chocolate eggs by the members of E.E.N.A.L. The event ended with hugs and a single wish: "Happy Resurrection"!
