In March 2018, she attracted global media attention as she performed while hanging from Greece’sRio-Antirio bridge, the world’s longest free-spanning cable-stayed bridge, and the video of the performance went viral.
Her performance was a joint venture between the dancer and the bridge authorities, based on the 25 March 1821’s symbolism; the building of bridges between Greeks in their joint effort to help their homeland advance.
“We chose Rio-Antirio bridge as it connects Peloponesse with the mainland. Bridges are a symbol of unity between people, countries and continents,” Ms. Soldatou said.
Who is Katerina Soldatou?
Katerina Soldatou is the founder of Greece’s first Aerial Dance school and the soul behind the “Greece has Soul” project, which aims to capture and showcase the beauty of the greek landscape and through this, to encourage people to appreciate the environment they live in.
“I had the idea for this project on a sailing trip in Greece. As I was watching the sails and the landscape, I thought that I could and I should do something to help people realize that we now - more than ever - need to preserve and appreciate the world we live in,” said Ms. Soldatou.
She combined her love for aerial dancing and travelling and with her team she started adventuring to various significant places and destinations in Greece.
Katerina Soldatou, Greek Extreme Aerial Dancer Source: Supplied/Greece Has Soul
“We need to brake the stereotypes we were brought up with. Anyone can achieve his/her goals. Because somebody is a lawyer it does not necessarily mean that they need to be stuck in an office,” she explains.
Ms. Soldatou believes that “experiences are only worthy if shared with the public” and says that Greek authorities at first did not understand what she was trying to do. As of that she mentioned that she faced problems with licensing but things are getting better.
When asked about her next project, Ms. Soldatou said: “I will join forces with Ben Von Wong and Greenpeace in a photo project in Corfu, raising awareness about one-use plastic bags”
“I would not be able to achieve what I have achieved without the support of the cinematographer Spyros Badios and the whole Greece Has Soul team,” concludes Ms. Soldatou.
