Electra Astrinidou
The music of the outcasts tells a story
Markos Vamvakaris, Vassilis Tsitsanis, and Grigoris Bithikotsis shaped Greek music with the sound of the bouzoukia and baglamades. The sounds of the two instruments accompanied their characteristic voices as they sang about poverty, pain, drug addiction, police oppression, prison, unrequited love, betrayal and hashish.
The bouzouki, a lute-like instrument with a pear-shaped body (skafi) made of staves and baglama are the backbone of the rembetika, a popular genre of Greek music.
From its rise in Pireaus and Asia Minor through the Metaxa era, and from the occupation throught the civil war until today, the rembetika invite Greeks to dance, sing, and drink.
The rembetika tell the story of another era. “This music is all about… Continue reading
XXX Deree College Invitational Debating Tournament
The Deree College Debating Club organized its thirtieth annual Debating Invitational Tournament with 52 teams participating, including a team from Turkey and a hybrid team composed of a Greek and Croatian debater. The winning team of the November 4-5 tournament was “Equality for men” with George Krezias and Christos Samelis.
For the first time in its history the tournament featured two Masters’ rounds, in which eight of the best Greek debating teams participated. The winners of the Masters’ tournament were Tasos Katehis and Philip Abatzoglou, both Deree College alumni.
“The XXX Invitational was a huge success because it brought alumni together with the new generation of debate; it brought together old ideas with new,” said Maria Avgitidis, an organizer of… Continue reading
Monastiraki, the multicultural center of Athens
The shop owner stops at the exit of his store and studies the crowds. “I love it. I never get bored, even on the slow days,” said Nikos. “The people are so colorful. They’re fun to watch.”
It is a weekday at Monastiraki square. The Acropolis looms overhead as Athenians and tourists mingle and assemble into groups to watch street musicians perform their daily show.
From the square, several winding streets branch out in every direction. Running along the streets, vendors spread out their blankets or stands and present their wares.
Nikos gazes at the landmarks that rest in the corners of the square: an eighteenth century mosque – a relic of Turkish rule – and the monastery of Panayia… Continue reading
Photographs and drawings display an oppressed childhood, at the Batagianni Gallery
A series of photographs and drawings of children’s faces that have been blurred and scribbled on hang on the walls of the silent white room. Through them the artist intends to expose the power relations between children and adults.
The “Childhood Abused” exhibition by Christina Kalbari opened October 4 at the Batagianni Gallery in Psirri, in central Athens. The collection of triptych images which combine photography and drawing illustrates what Kalbari says are the negative effects of the guiding roles of social institutions on childhood.
“Through this work I wanted to express myself, foremost,” Kalbari said. “I am at an age where I might soon be engaged in one of these power relations. I wanted to create images that would… Continue reading
Persuade, communicate and have fun
The clock strikes 6:45 p.m. The teams’ preparation time is over and Manolis Moschopoulos grabs his seat. Old members escort their partners, all new members, in to Room 602. The debating session is ready to begin.
“I call this house to order,” said Moschopoulos, president of the debating club. The new members scan the room. Some nibble on their pens; others flip through their notes. Their partners, familiar with the norms, sit back and face their opposition, and the first speaker is ready to take the floor.
The debating club is back in business. Voted Student Union’s Best Club of the Year for 2004-2005, the club is in its eighteenth year.
With a firm agenda for the year ahead, the… Continue reading