French Baraka circus brings smiles to flood-stricken Greeks
Athens: The arrival of the French modern circus Baraka in Greece for first time on November 15 this year happened to coincide with a tragedy.
That night torrential rains hit Elefsina, a city about 17 km west of Athens, which was chosen as Cultural Capital of Europe 2021.
The flooding caused 24 deaths, many injuries and hundreds of thousands of euros worth of damage to businesses and homes.
The 14 artistes and technicians from the circus set up their tent on the mud, rehearsed and set out to lend a helping hand in the only way they knew -- trying to heal wounds through art, Xinhua news agency reported.
All revenues of their first performance on December 16 were turned over to flood-stricken locals. Until January 21, when they will pack to head to their next destination Morocco, they will do their best to bring joy to locals, they told Xinhua.
"On the night of our arrival, there were the floods. For us it was really shocking. We came here to do something simple -- circus. But at the same time, 10 km from here something terrible happened. So if we can help in a way, we will," technical manager Thomas Bares said.
The performance of the Baraka circus, based in Mauritius since December 2013, is anything but simple. Through their acrobatics, body theatre, music and dance, they focus on cultural relations, differences and issues of co-existence.
"The project talks about walls. It talks about concrete walls, but also about mental walls, economic walls, boundaries," Bares said.
The artistes do not intend to impose their views on contemporary challenges on audiences.
"We don't have one message, but a lot. That means everyone can get his own message at the end of the show. In the end, everyone is making his own story and gets his own lessons," Bares said.
Kelly Diapouli, artistic director of "Elefsina 2021 -- Cultural Capital of Europe," said the circus was invited to introduce to locals forms of art not well known in Greece.
Most Greeks still have the impression that circuses include wild animals and fire shows, Diapouli said.
Nassia, a young spectator who also studies theater, said: "The show was excellent. The truth is that I did not expect it, but I really enjoyed it very much and I would happily return to watch the show again," she said.
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'Strong evidence' available against Saif attacker, police tell court while opposing his bail plea
Mumbai, Jul 25 (PTI): Police have opposed the bail plea of the Bangladeshi national arrested for allegedly stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan with a knife and injuring him at his home here in January this year, telling a Mumbai court there was "strong evidence" against the accused.
Citing a Forensic Science Laboratory report, police reiterated before the sessions court their earlier claim knife fragments that got lodged near the actor's spine during the attack as well as a part found at the crime spot have matched with the weapon recovered from the accused, Shariful Islam.
These three pieces were part of the same weapon (knife) used to attack the filmstar, the police said in a written response to the accused's plea submitted in the court on Thursday (July 24).
Khan was repeatedly stabbed with a knife by an intruder inside his 12th floor apartment in upscale Bandra on January 16 during a robbery attempt.
The 54-year-old actor underwent surgery at Lilavati Hospital to remove a piece of knife that got lodged near his spine during the attack. He was discharged from the private hospital after five days.
Shariful Islam, a Bangladeshi national, was arrested two days later for allegedly stabbing Khan.
The police, in their response, highlighted that the accused is a Bangladeshi citizen residing illegally in India.
If granted bail, there was a possibility that he may flee India and not appear before the court during the trial. The crime committed by the accused is of a "very serious nature, and strong evidence" is available against him, they argued.
In his bail plea, filed through advocate Vipul Dushing, the accused asserted he was innocent and had no prior criminal record.
Investigation into the case has practically concluded with only the filing of a chargesheet pending, the accused contended while seeking bail.
The alleged attacker has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections related to house trespass, robbery and dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous injury.
