The Out-of-Towners: Laertis Vassiliou

Albanian actor / director Laertis Vassiliou has made Greece his home away from home, gaining a strong following for his various theatrical projects, one of which several years ago faced an attack by Golden Dawn. Although currently filming in Tirana, here he talks about his Athenian existence.

Name
Laertis Vasiliou

Profession
Actor – Director

Life status
Single

Where in the world I am from
Albania – The Land of Eagles

Rate Greece vs your homeland
Illyrians (the ancient ancestors of Albanians) and Hellenes (the ancient ancestors of Greeks) are the only native inhabitants of the Balkan Peninsula and both came from the Pelasgians, their common ancestors.

I came here because…
My mother is of Greek origin and I grew up with both Albanian and Greek languages and cultures in my home. Also I wanted to live in the birthplace of theatre!

I’ve fallen in love with…
Ancient Hellenic culture and civilization.

It makes me mad that…
During the economic crisis people are going through a crisis of ethical values.

The most Greek thing that fits into my hand?
Besa, (when you shake hands and give your word of honor) which is the same in the Albanian language as it was inherited to the Greeks by the Arvanites, (the Albanian Orthodox that have inhabited the region since the 12th century).

If I knew then what I know now…
Now I realize that things I thought I knew back then, were only the very first reasons why I felt the need to come here.

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO:

eat:
Kanella at Gazi

watch the sun set:
From the temple of Poseidon at Sounio

party all night:
Gazi area

swim:
Limanakia in Vouliagmeni

shop:
Monastiraki Flea Market

watch the world go by:
At Syntagma Square

read peacefully:
In Thiseio

connect with Greek culture:
At the Acropolis

work out:
In my home

escape:
In the arms of my love

feel like a local:
On the stage