Aglaia, the wife of Karagiozis – in Heraklion Crete

Aglaia, the wife of Karagiozis – in Heraklion Crete (Mural)

With art, we can do anything. We can create our own world and reverse reality if we want.

Today, I wish to introduce you Aglaia, the wife of Karagiozis. She has always been a housewife, taking care of Karagiozis and their sons. She is barely seen, but her voice is characteristic.

During Fall of 2018, an artist-in-residence at the Lakkos Project decided to bring Aglaia out of the shadows and into the light!

[Making of the mural-artist page]

About Karagiozis’ Character: It is a famous shadow / puppet theater that used to be very popular in Greece. Most probably the character derived from Asia Minor during Ottoman rule. In Turkish, his name stands for “Black Eye”. The Greek version has many differences than the Ottoman used one.

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karagiozis#/media/File:Karagiozis.png

Who was Karagiozis?: He is a poor Greek, who has a long right hand, wears ragged clothes and does not have shoes on. He lives in a poor cottage with his family (3 sons and Aglaia). Due to extreme poverty, he uses mischievous ways to find money.

Karagiozis had a number of accompanying characters, unique in their behaviour.

Apart from his 3 sons called Kollitiria (Κολλητήρια) and Aglaia (Αγλαΐα), his barely seen wife, the other protagonists are: Hadjiavatis (Χατζηαβάτης), who is Karagiozis’ friend and honest supporter. Barba Yorgos is a sheperd, Karagiozis’ uncle who even though he knows that his nephew is a crook, he always helps him.
Morfonios is an ugly man who considers himself to be the most handsome and is very often .. in love!

These and more are create an interesting background and original stories of Karagiozis.

Urban Dictionary: Karagiozis is a word that is being widely used in Greek, to characterize someone who is ridiculous. It is a very bad and insulting word to use.
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=karagiozis

More information and videos below:
https://www.karagiozismuseum.gr/en/genisi/karagiozis_ellada.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karagiozis

The artist’s page on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nelzya8/

Video: (Greek) Οι Αρραβώνες του Καραγκιόζη (Karagiozis gets engaged)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqe-b6A4z0E

Video: (Greek) Μπαμπάκο τί θα φάμε; Από το δίσκο “Λάχανα και Χάχανα” σε μουσική του Τάσου Ιωαννίδη, το “Μπαμπάκο τι θα φάμε;”, με τον μοναδικό Ευγένιο Σπαθάρη και χορωδία παιδιών.
“Dady, what will we eat?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xu8ERKHGNg