Arsinoe Lilly Karadima

Arsinoe Lilly Karadima studied classical ballet (RAD system) at the renowned schools of Maya Sofou, where she obtained a degree from the Royal Academy of Dancing. She also trained in classical Indian dance Bharatanatyam under Leda Shantala, and in Classical Greek Dance according to the Ruby Ginner system with Adriana Papanikolaou, earning a title of distinction from the internationally recognized ISTD in London. In addition, she holds a BA (Honors) in Marketing from La Verne University, California.

Professionally, she has worked in screenwriting and in the development of advertising concepts as a Creative Director in leading advertising agencies, as well as in the design and creation of artistic jewelry. Deeply interested in ancient Greek culture, she has attended lectures by Altani and collaborated with researcher Asteria Kolovou, among others, in exploring the roots of kinesiology from antiquity. A notable collaboration with Parmenides Bousiou led to the revival of the ancient Greek custom of Phallephoria, brought back to life after 2,500 years in the historic center of Athens. This event is now presented annually during the festive three days of Lent, beneath the Acropolis.

Arsinoe Lilly Karadima is the founding member, choreographer, and artistic director of ATRAPOS Dance Culture Group, and a member of the World Dance Council CID–UNESCO.

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Selected Works as Choreographer, Performer, and Artistic Director

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• ANÁMNĒSIS (Ανάμνησις) – A journey through the sacred dance traditions of Ancient Greece, reviving rituals that once bridged the mortal and the divine. From the geometric formations of Minoan dances—mirroring cosmic harmony—to sacred hymns of the Orphic tradition, the performance unfolds like a living memory. Presented at the Ancient Theatre of Phillipopolis, Bulgaria, at the Ex Machina Festival (April 2025), and at the Magna Graecia Fest, Ischia, Italy (June 2025).

• PHAOS – A ritual transformative dance-theatre performance with live music by renowned musician Pan Kaperneka. Presented in Athens (Avaton Theatre), Crete, and Ikaria (2024). The piece weaves Euripides’ choral odes to Artemis (Hippolytus, Iphigenia in Aulis, Trojan Women) to highlight the enduring resonance of ancient texts in contemporary times.

• The Four Sacred Manias of Plato – A choreographed philosophical play exploring Plato’s concept of divine inspiration (Phaedrus), uniting dance, song, narration, prose, and musical dialogue. Conceived by philologist Eleni Koulizaki in collaboration with the music group SAOS and other distinguished artists. Premiered at the Festival of the Municipality of Athens (June 2021).

• Cretans (Euripides) – The lost tragedy, performed to sold-out audiences at Avaton Theatre (April 2017), at the Ancient Theatre of Tanagra (September 2017), and for four performances at Chitirio Theatre (Nov–Dec 2018).

• Artemis: The transformation of the Soul – A chorus based on melodic fragments by Euripides honoring Artemis. Presented at the Eva & Angelos Sikelianos Museum in Delphi during Animart Festival (July 2017).

• Opening Ceremony & Torch Flame of the Mountain Race of Delphi – “In the Footsteps of Deucalion” – Performed at the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, featuring the first revival of the ancient Delphic Pyrrhic dance (Dec 2016 & 2017).

• Minoan Dance – Ritual performance at the 28th Portocheli International Festival of Art and Culture (Aug 2016).

• Science & Choros – A video art project for Abbott Diabetes Care Greece, presented at the international conference in Abu Dhabi (Feb 2016), celebrating the FreeStyle Libre innovation in diabetes care.

• The Dance of Bees – From Transformation to Rebirth – Performed at the Lepreo Festival “Dimitria” (Aug 2014).

• The Dance of the Three Graces – An upcoming project dedicated to the homeland of the Graces, Orchomenos (Boeotia), as a personal offering and tribute.

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Earlier Collaborations

• Embrace the Acropolis – Embrace Humanity – A choreographed event at the Acropolis Museum (March 21, 2014) in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic.

• Nyn & Aei – A poetic dance presented at the Archaeological Museum of Samos during the Heraion Festival (2012).

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Teaching & Research

Alongside directing ATRAPOS, Arsinoe Lilly Karadima teaches ancient Greek dance and organizes specialized seminars. Since 2018, she has served as President of the Association for the Research & Study of Greek Culture. She is also the founder of Chorosophy, a discipline dedicated to the study and revival of ancient Greek movement traditions.