A co-production of the Department of Music Science & Art of University of Macedonia and the Anopolis World Music Festival
The historic site of Saint Nicholas Orphanos Church in Ano Poli, Thessaloniki, will host for the third consecutive year the creative collaborations between the university music community of the Department of Music Science & Art and the Anopolis World Music Festival. Through this partnership, young and highly promising musicians and artists studying traditional instruments in our city will present their work alongside professional musicians and organizers.
The two-day program consists of a modular concert series in which one musical ensemble follows another, presenting to the audience different artistic approaches to both contemporary and older musical traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek world, as well as “fresh” reinterpretations of this repertoire in interaction with the new musical trends of our time.
Artistic curation:
Undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Department of Music Science & Art / University of Macedonia
Artistic coordination of the two-day event:
Thymios Atzakas, Vasilis Zigeridis, Sakis Laios
Production & Communication:
Olipoli: Tessi Giannakina, Aris Magripis, Elena Moudiri Chasiotou, Eleni Christodoulou
TWO-DAY PROGRAM
Thursday, June 4
Saint Nicholas Orphanos Church — Start time: 19:30
Semaγεία (12’)
Two instrumental compositions in the form of saz semai.
- Mustear Saz Semai — Akin Özkan
- Askefza Saz Semai — Ross Daly
Anna Boura (kanun), Konstantinos Papaliozis (lavta), Elpida Katsavounidou (percussion)
CROSSOVER (25’)
This project was created in 2025 with a spirit of experimentation and exploration. The coexistence of the lavta, double bass, and nak tarhu led to original compositions that create a meeting point between three different worlds. Rather than drawing inspiration from a single tradition, the ensemble seeks to open a window toward a new field of expression.
- Isalos Grammi — Vasiliki Danitsa
- Sehnaz Buselik Sirto — Stelios Pantechis
- Maktub — Danis Koumartzis
- Amfilyki — Vasiliki Danitsa
Vasiliki Danitsa (lavta), Danis Koumartzis (double bass), Stelios Pantechis (nak tarhu)
“Weaving on the Kanun” — Tribute to Didem Başar (25’)
A musical journey through the melodies of Didem Başar, where the kanun becomes the thread connecting East and West. Through contemporary and traditional musical elements, this presentation unfolds a world full of lyricism, rhythm, and improvisational spirit, illuminating the composer’s unique musical language.
- Concerto for Kanun and String Orchestra I. Moderato — Didem Başar
- Devr-i Raksan — Didem Başar
- Lunenburg — Didem Başar
Athanasia Stathia (kanun, curator), Georgia Bogiatzi (violin), Fotini Koukkidou (violin), Nikolina Tarasiadou (viola), Lila Manola (cello), Giorgos Polychroniadis (double bass), Pelagia Yachoudi (oud), Vasiliki Danitsa (lavta), Stelios Pantechis (lyra), Marios Ziavros (percussion), Petros Nouris (percussion)
The 411 Rhythm Freaks — In Remembrance (15’)
A percussion composition based on traditional rhythmic patterns from West Africa and Brazil, gradually enriched and expanded with ideas from Indian music, minimalism, and other contemporary musical practices.
In memory of Th.K.
Lenio Antoniadi (keyboards), Sofia Giouldouri (surdo), Marios Ziavros (surdo, bell), Elpida Katsavounidou (timbal), Elena Katsiagianni (caixa, hi-hat), Alkistis Kontopoulou (surdo), Giannis Laoutaris (djembe), Kostis Palaiogiannis (electric bass), Konstantina Papagianni (surdo), Danae Roumelioti (surdo)
Coordination & artistic supervision: Sakis Laios
Friday, June 5
Saint Nicholas Orphanos Church — Start time: 19:30
Metamorphosis (15’)
Transformation, both theologically and artistically, represents a transition from one state to another. Through a composition of contemporary modal music that preserves the formal and stylistic framework of Ottoman classical music from Constantinople, a fresh and intense work emerges, shaped by multiple influences from different musical idioms. Ultimately, the transformation seals an artful and deeply nostalgic composition that perhaps subtly questions the very change it performs.
- Kürdi Saz Semai — Evgenios Voulgaris
- Karma — Marina Liontou-Mohamed
- The Astounding Eyes of Rita — Anouar Brahem
Thanasis Mavridis (oud, ensemble coordinator), Sofia Katseniou (double bass), Elena Katsiagianni (darbuka), Athanasia Stathia (kanun), Alexandra Chrysikopoulou (Politiki lyra)
Tropical Jazz (15’)
A quartet inspired by the contemporary modal and fusion scene presents some of its favorite compositions.
- Odd Elegy — Dhafer Youssef
- Smash — Avishai Cohen
- Chick’s Pain — Mathieu Fiset
Chara Psyhi (oud), Marios Ziavros (drums), Minas Simitsis (bass), Ioannis Tziastas (piano)
Pictures (15’)
A small musical tribute to the deeply expressive compositions of Ara Dinkjian — music that connects cultures beyond places and eras.
- Agladikça (Picture)
- AnnaTolYa
- Homecoming
Composer: Ara Dinkjian
Panos Plioukas (oud, curator), Evina Koutsokosta (kanun), Alex Fourkas (trumpet), Panagiotis Kaliotakis (keyboards), Marios Ziavros (drums)
Contemporary Modal Compositions (25’)
The ensemble presents contemporary compositions based on the modal music traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean and Persia. Works by Lydia Roumelioti and Efrén López will be performed.
- Anemoni — Lydia Roumelioti
- 13 Koalas in Shiraz — Lydia Roumelioti
- Khorshid — Lydia Roumelioti
- A.A.A.A.A.A.A. — Efrén López
Lydia Roumelioti (kanun), Danae Roumelioti (oud), Periklis Vrachnos (violin), Elpida Katsavounidou (percussion)