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Indoeuropean Greeting

A "welcoming" speech by Ja Mann Ahoj & Athanasios

*WARNING: appropriation of racist language
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Initiated by Johanna Maj Schmidt, this was an opening lecture-performance for Documena at the Athens Biennale in 2017, "Resurrection with Documena". Johanna Maj Schmidt & Athanasios Anagnostopoulos attempt an undermining discursive mix-match of various strands of neo-conservative far-right racist ideology that since the break of the European crisis have been a regressive influence to western political discourse and artists alike. Documenta 14 visiting Athens seemed unable to avoid romanticising the "South" and the Greek crisis.

The lecture mocks mystical rightist ideologies as well as it provokes questions for the ideological naivité of left-wing/anarchist "political spiritualism". From our (the performers') perspective, Johanna & Athanasios addressed our own racism engraved in our discourse and personal experiences. The lecture sought to undermine the influence of conservative neo-folk or third-positionist tech-folk ideas apparent in Greek parliamentary political alliances of the left (i.e. Syriza) with far-right parties (i.e. "Independent Greeks"). It also seeks to expose and undermine reactionary ideas such as the "Eurasian Union" - as opposed to the European Union - and the importance of Putinist Orthodox Russia as a legitimate political ally.

Presented at:
Athens Biennale 2017 "Waiting for the Barbarians".
Bageion Main Hall, Omonoia Sq, Athens.
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Johanna Maj Schmidt & Athanasios Anagnostopoulos
©2017