Meeting point | Let's meet up on the stairs!

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STAIRS - an element of building or terrain that allows communication between different levels. Stairs are known from the oldest times. In antiquity and the Middle Ages they used purely practical ‘... but for sure?

What the architect had in mind when designing the stairs? Probably nothing more than the above definition. But let's think about the stairs in the public space. Do we actually use them only when we want to get up or down from another level?

Back in the past...

The stairs can have their symbolic meaning. In christian religion they are also presented as the Tower of Babel, which eventually divides people and contributes to the formation of different languages.

But what if we meet there again?

Let's look closely at the important events that took place many years ago, at the same place and time when democracy began. In ancient Greece time to celebrate life, organize folk games and dance processions was called Dionysia. The main part of that event were the theatrical performances of dramatic tragedies and comedies. The Greek Theater, which was nothing but a semicircular form of stairs, was a place where plays took place. It did a great job when it comes to acoustics, entertainment and also us a point in which art develops.

Nowadays...

As tourists, surely every one of us happened to sit on the stairs in front of some historic church in order to relax, look at the city or wait for other travel companions.

Recalling the first meeting of my class from high school, I remember us sitting on the steps of the staircase in the shopping center until we were expelled by security guard. Which other place is able to accommodate such a large group on a rainy day, so that everyone can sit down and talk? Or during school pause when all the benches in the corridor are already occupied. Aren't stairs the best place to write down homework from your friend?

Many large and smaller cities have just such a staircase that integrate and focus the activities of various kinds.

#stairs #meetingpoint