The idea of presenting the programme through Δ / D draws on multiple symbolic and cultural layers
- The Delta symbol (Δ, δ) is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. It originates from the Phoenician letter daleth, which meant “door,” while the Latin D, d derives from a similar Chalkidic form.
D Athens thus becomes the “door” to the Athens World Theatre Capital initiative.
- As a mathematical symbol, Δ / D signifies “difference,” which is exactly what this programme seeks: to make a difference, to transform ancient Greek heritage into contemporary ideas, ideas into action, productions into performances, and audiences into a community.
- Like a river delta, Δ / D is also a meeting point of streams: theatre, democracy, tourism, and culture converge here.
- Δ is the initial letter of key programme concepts:
- Dionysus (Διόνυσος): the god of creation and drama, the art that was born in Athens
- Demos (Δήμος): theatre as a public space
- Dialogue (Διάλογος): the essence of democracy
- Network / Dissemination (Δίκτυο / Διάδοση): ensuring the city’s outreach and global presence
- Δ / D embodies both the inspiration and the mechanism of meaning for the programme: from idea to stage, from the city to the world.
From this reasoning, emerge the four key Δ / D elements of the programme and the corresponding symbols, bridging the gap between D and Athens:
- D– Athens: DIONYSIA (ΔΙΟΝΥΣΙΑ)
- D// Athens: DISCOVERY (ΔΙΑΔΡΑΣΗ)
- D: Athens: DEMOS (ΔΗΜΟΣ)
- D= Athens: DIALOGUE (ΔΙΑΛΟΓΟΣ)