The internationally renowned Cirque du Soleil, described as the greatest show on earth, came to Greece for the first time in September 2012, and dedicated one of its performances to the Association of Friends of Children with cancer ELPIDA, in order to support the new vision of the Association, the establishment of a Volunteer Bone Marrow Donor Bank.
It was a magical evening, and a show that stunned both the younger and older audience who filled the indoor basketball court of OAKA (Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens) to the brim, with acrobatics that took your breath away, remarkable choreographies, an aerial stage, majestic, imposing stage sets and costumes, visual effects, amazing live music and songs, as well as comedy sketches that entertained the audience.
The magic of the circus was in full harmony with the dancing, opera, mime, clowns, sports and acrobatics, captivating over 7000 spectators, mainly including children from the various institutions of Attica, children and parents from the parishes of the Metropolis of Nikaia (Keratsini, Korydalos, Perama, Aigaleo, Chaidari, Nikaia and Agia Varvara), the children and families staying at ELPIDA Guest House, as well as the children under treatment at the Oncology Unit, that the President of ELPIDA Association, Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, invited to the show, giving them thus the opportunity to enjoy this unique international spectacle.
After attending the performance, Mrs. Vardinoyannis mentioned how touched she felt at the end of the event, by the fact that once again the public responded to the call of ELPIDA and was there to support its work, despite the difficult times experienced by all.
Mrs. Vardinoyannis also did not omit to express her gratitude to the artists and members of the Cirque du Soleil for their support of ELPIDA Association, and for their social sensitivity in donating part of the evenings proceeds to the establishment of the Bone Marrow Volunteer Donor Bank. She also thanked the artists, who despite their full performance schedule, were able to find the time and visit the Childrens Oncology Unit Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – ELPIDA, offering an unforgettable experience to the children in treatment, as they watched spellbound all the princes and princesses, the angels, the band, the singers, the jugglers and clowns who crowded the hospital premises, the corridors and the wards, filling them with music, comedy sketches and acrobatic tricks!
For this support, the artistic director of Alegria, Mr Βruno Darmaniac, along with the artists, placed the Cirque du Soleil star on the Hospital wall featuring the Sky of Stars, beside the stars of the other partners and benefactors of ELPIDA.
