• RHODES

      POETRY

      RETREAT

      September 23-29, 2018

    • Monolithos Village, photo by Maria Bakari

      Be Inspired.

      Over five days in the quiet and rustic village of Monolithos, Greek-Australian poet Luka Lesson will employ 12 years of experience to facilitate a series of workshops that will uncover the oral traditions and history of the place his ancestors called home. This retreat is designed to inspire and amplify the voices of the people who wish to experience the power of writing and performing a piece of art soaked in history.

       

      Aimed at all skill levels, the sessions will include visits to Ancient sites, a look into the historical context of spoken word poetry, one-on-one guidance, group writing sessions and solo performances. The retreat will then culminate in a private showing of the participants' work in an Ancient space and supportive environment.

       

      This program is designed to allow for each participant to be inspired by the incredible surroundings, to be fully supported in expressing themselves, and to be celebrated as their individual skills and stories are revealed.

       

      The Rhodes Poetry Retreat package includes over 10 workshops with one of Australia's most experienced storytellers, in one of the most beautiful places on earth: the Greek Islands.

    • Luka Lesson

      The Facilitator

      Luka Lesson

      Luka Lesson is a spoken word and rap artist of Greek heritage from Australia. On his fathers' side - his Grandfather, Great-grandfather and Great-uncle all migrated to Australia from the village of Monolithos on the island of Rhodes in 1938. His Grandmother Anastasia also migrated from Rhodes, but in 1948, and from the village of Paradisi, where the Rhodes Airport is today.

       

      Since discovering the power of storytelling through Hip-hop in his teenage years, Luka proceeded to both write rap music, as well as study Anthropology and Indigenous Studies at The University of Queensland. During these years Luka caught himself some early radio play on Triple J's Hip-hop Show, began to teach Hip-hop workshops in schools and busk on the streets of Brisbane on weekends for extra practice.

       

      Soon after completing his degree, Luka discovered Slam Poetry, moved to Melbourne and eventually won the Australian Poetry Slam, the Melbourne Poetry Slam and the Greens Poetry Slam between 2010 & 2011. After years of touring as a full-time poet, his love of history and culture, as well as his love of oral traditions lead him to understand the significance of poetry within his own culture and he began a process of reinvigorating Ancient texts and breathe new life into voices that are all but silent in today's world.

       

      Currently Luka is working with Sydney Conservatorium composer James Humberstone on a Hip-Hop and poetry re-interpretation of the Homeric epic: "The Odyssey" named Odysseus Live. This year, his research for this project will take him to Athens, where he will study with experts on the details of The Odyssey which he needs to complete this ambitious work.

       

      While is in Greece, Luka will conduct his first ever writers' retreat. With over 10 years of experience in teaching his craft in schools, universities and poetry events around the world, Luka hopes the Rhodes Poetry Retreat will become a regular way of not only supporting poets who wish to improve their craft, but also of supporting the people of his grandparents' village as they traverse the difficulties of rebuilding their lives from a devastating economic crisis.

    • Rhodes Poetry Retreat Program

      Day 1- Arrival - Sept 23

      ​Fly into Rhodes Airport and the local team will provide transfers to your accomodation in Monolithos village, Rhodes Island.

       

      Transfers will be from Rhodes Airport at 12pm and 6pm

      Dinner to be served at 9pm at the Monolithos Taverna

       

      Travel Information

      Rhodes Airport receives direct flights from most European capitals including London, Berlin and Rome. A direct flight from Athens International airport is inexpensive and only lasts 45 minutes.

       

      We prefer to fly Aegean airlines.

      Day 2 - Sept 24

      Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

       

      Workshop 1

      Introduction: The Role of the Poet

       

      Workshop 2

      The Art of Stream of Consciousness"

       

      Lunch

      *Siesta*

       

      Visit: Kimissala Necropolis

       

      Workshop 3

      Digging for Lyrical Fossils I

       

      Visit: Monolithos Castle

       

      Workshop 4

      Digging for Lyrical Fossils II

       

      Dinner at the Monolithos Village Panorama Restaurant

       

      Travel Information

      All meals and transfers provided

      Day 3 - Sept 25

       

      Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

       

      Visit: Monolithos Mountain Walk

       

      Lunch

      *Siesta*

       

      Workshop 5

      Modern Greek Poetry Traditions

       

      Workshop 6

      Homer and The Odyssey: Mythology or Metaphor?

       

      Dinner at Monolithos Village Taverna

      Day 4 - Sept 26

       

      Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

       

      Visit: Acropolis of Lindos

       

      Lunch

      *Siesta*

       

      Workshop 7

      Structure vs Freedom

       

      Workshop 8

      "One-on-One Advice and Assistance"

       

      Dinner at Monolithos Panorama Taverna

      Day 5 - Sept 27

       

      Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

       

      Workshop 9

      "Critique Lovingly, Edit Ruthlessly"

       

      Workshop 10

      Memorisation Techniques

       

      Lunch

      *Siesta*

       

      Visit: Cooking Class

       

      Dinner

       

      Dinner at Monolithos Panorama Taverna.

      Day 6 - Sept 28

       

      Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

       

      Visit: Ancient Kimissala Palace

       

      Workshop 11

      Performance Technique

       

      Workshop 12

      One-on-one Assistance II

       

      Lunch

      *Siesta*

       

      Workshop 13

      Final Performance Rehearsals

       

      Final Group Performance in Monolithos Village

       

      Dinner at Monolithos Panorama Taverna.

       

      Day 7 - Departure - Sept 29

      Final Transfers

      Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

       

      After breakfast the local team will provide transfers to Paradisi Airport or Rhodes Town centre, leaving at these times:

       

      7am

      &

      12pm

       

      There will be no other transfers available.

       

      Distance from Monolithos to paradisi is 90 minutes,

      and to Rhodes town centre: 2hrs

      Retreat Costs and Options

       

      Option 1 - Single Room

       

      Includes

      All Workshops and Sessions

      6 Nights Single Room Accommodation

      All Meals

      Transfers

      All Entry Fees to Ancient Sites

      Notebook + Writing Tools

       

      Cost - AU$2100

       

      Option 2 - Shared Room

       

      Includes

      All Workshops and Sessions

      6 Nights Double Room Shared Accommodation

      All Meals

      Transfers

      All Entry Fees to Ancient Sites

      Notebook + Writing Tools

       

      Cost = AU$1750

       

       

      Note:

      All costs are designed to give the participants the best value for money whilst still supporting the local economy and people of Monolithos, Rhodes Island, who are suffering the repercussions of the economic crisis.

       

      Flights to and from Rhodes Island are not included.