Profile: Artemis Ignatiou, choreographer of Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony

The choreographer of the Olympic Flame Lighting and Handover Ceremonies traditionally holds the leading role as the concept creator and artistic director in the ritual performances at the birthplace of the Olympic Games.

Artemis Ignatiou is responsible for the ceremony to be held in ancient Olympia on Thursday, when the flame for the 2016 Olympic Games will be ignited.

She took over the demanding role of the choreographer in 2008 for the Beijing Summer Olympic Games from her teacher Maria Hors, who linked her name longer than anyone with the ceremonies for half a century.

Hors died aged 94 a few months ago, therefore this year's performance had a special significance for Ignatiou who has also connected her career with the ceremonies since 1988.

Ignatiou, a graduate of the National School of Dance of Greece, with studies abroad, has been a priestess in ceremonies first and then assistant choreographer next to Hors.

A renowned teacher of dance in Greece who has also directed numerous plays at the National Opera, the Athens Concert Hall and abroad, Ignatiou coordinates the team of volunteer professional female and male dancers, actors and actresses, musicians and designers who help to set up the ceremonies.

Each ceremony is a bit different than the previous one, but the key element remains the same.

Ignatiou is inspired by the ancient Greek history and mythology and all volunteer participants feel honored to take part in the ceremonies helping to spread across the globe the Olympic ideals of friendship, peace, achievement and glory. Enditem