"Anything Is Possible" re-imagines the life and times of a man whose stories have guided kings and peasants, grownups and children, for over 2600 years. This man is Æsop. He was born on the island of Samos, just off the Ionian coast, in 620 B.C. Time and place came together for Æsop as he rose from the depths of slavery to serve as ambassador to the wealthiest and most powerful king of the day, Creosus of Lydia. When Æsop was born, Miletus and Samos had become the most active and profitable ports in Ionia. International trade was flourishing and merchants from as far away as India and Egypt, together with representatives from the most powerful citystates, came together in Samos. Thus it was that Ionia became the birthplace of philosophy. Sharing thoughts and stories from their diverse cultural heritage, these traders gave birth to what we now regard as "new thought". The slave Æsop transcended the boundaries of his position to embrace that new way of thinking and to weave into it stories that would help shape the future of mankind. The fable enables the listener to discover the meaning behind the story, and that is why Æsop's enduring humanity lives with us today.

Also with: A documentary on Samos and its Traditional Products
A production by Mecano Film, 2009 directed by Panos Zenelis.

"Lush forested mountains, sweet local wine, sacred ancient sites and almost tropical beaches, all conspire to make Samos an immensely appealing island getaway." Lonely Planet

Samos continues to provide prodigious amounts of olive oil, wine, black pine, cheese, fish, sheep and goats, just as it did in the time of Aesop. Time has hardly changed the flavors of Samos. Why? Well, if it works, it tends to keep working! Come and pay Samos a visit as Æsop unveils his story. You might just find yourself in two places at the same time: Then and Now.

At The Embassy of Greece : 2217 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20008 | RSVP: rsvpculture@greekembassy.org


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Thomas Bähler is a composer who has enjoyed a career in entertainment that few can claim. He has worked with numerous icons of our time. He was both Music Supervisor and Executive Producer of the soundtrack album for "The Color Purple", working with Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg, directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Quincy Jones. He was both lyricist and composer for Michael Jackson's "She's Out of My Life", as well as Michael's principle vocal arranger throughout his career. He composed, again both lyrically and musically, "The American Dream" for Barry Levinson's "Wag the Dog", starring Robert DeNiro and Dustin Hoffman. Thomas served as Creative Director at Radio City Music Hall, and for numerous Super Bowl Half Time Shows, and also composed the music for Siegfried and Roy's thirteen-year sold-out show at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. He served as Music Director and Producer for many Diana Ross events, including her television special "Red Hot and Blues", as well as for her appearance in the opening of World Cup 1994. Thomas provided voices and vocal arrangements for Barbra Streisand, and was also chosen as vocal arranger for Billy Joel's album "Innocent Man. Thomas' long history of collaboration with Quincy Jones reached a new level when he was asked to be Associate Producer and Vocal Arranger for "We Are The World", which reunited him with many artists with whom he had worked as a singer, arranger and/or producer, such as Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner and Billy Joel and Bette Midler. Thomas has composed music for countless television shows and films. His score for "The Object of Beauty", starring John Malkovich and Andie MacDowell garnered much critical acclaim. He has received the coveted Alumni Merit Award from the University of Southern California, and was also honored by his Alma Mater's Thornton School of Music with a Special Commendation Award. He served a vocal consultant and music conductor for the movie "The Wiz", and also served in that capacity with the added moniker of Music Director for many events sponsored by the White House, including "America's Millennium", "Points of Light" and President Clinton's Inaugural Concert. Thomas has also served as Music Director and arranger for "The Kennedy Center Honors".Thomas penned another hit record for Cher entitled "Living In A House Divided", and Nora Ephron chose his song "Cowboy Reggae" to introduce John Travolta on- screen in her movie "Michael".