2012 Olympic Games Chooses Traditional Greek Music!

Could you believe that an orchestra with the traditional Greek instrument bouzouki, could be presented at the Olympic Games of 2012 in London and perform songs of Mikis Theodorakis, Hatzidakis, Tsitsanis and the song “Zeimpekiko tis Evdokias” of Manos Loizos? Why not? That was the dream of the well known composer Giannis Polykandriotis which finally came true.

The School of Traditional and Folk Music, String Instruments founded by Polykandriotis was chosen to participate in the Olympic Games taking place in London.  This was decided on September 12th by the committee of the organization of the Olympics, among several music groups in the auditions which have been made at the Cultural Olympic celebrations 2012 in Cedar Park Chechunt. The affirmative was announced via a formal letter received by Polykandriotis a few days ago.

The Greek orchestra consisting of 35 music instruments, boys and girls from 9 to 32 years was deified by 5,000 people who attended the event at Cedar Park Cheshunt. It proved once more that good traditional Greek music can be loved by foreigners. Our joy is indescribable, as we were marked with the highest grade” Polykandrotis stated. They told us that apart from the Olympic stadium we will perform in many sport centers.  Soon we will be invited to more festivals. These young people who give their best all these years, have every right to celebrate. Personally, I feel our representation in the Olympic games as a vindication of my decision to create the School in 2002 targeted on the advertisement of Greek Traditional music.Songs like “Children of Piraeus”,” Vraxo vraxo ton kaimo mou”, “Delfini Delfinaki”, ”Deka palikaria”, ”Zeimpekiko tis Evdokias” were performed at Cedar Park Cheshunt. On the first row of the orchestra the Pilvakis sisters, aged 13 and 16 and 9 year old Panagis sat proudly next to their teacher. They were accompanied by bouzouki expert George Poxes who came from Greece to perform at the festival. He also had performed in the opening of the Olympic games of 2004 in Athens with Thanasi Polikandriotis’ music group “Oi Epomenoi” (“The Next”).  The orchestra’s presentation was accompanied by the dance group of Dora Konstantinidis from London’s Greek Community Center.

About the School:

Polykandriotis funded the school with only 12 students in 2002, in cooperation with the local school of the Greek  community of St. Panteleimon in Harrow, North-West London.  He knew the significance of his efforts as he was a very talented child.  He began his own concerts when he was 13 years old followed by a 50 year fabulous career in the genre of Greek traditional music.

Today he feels great satisfaction from the fact that our delivery continues with a unique way through students aged 7 to 57 years old. The students play the bouzouki, tzouras and baglamas in the old familiar quality style of Rebetiko. The School of Traditional and Folk Music, String Instruments counts more than 50 students and is assisted by the Ministry of Education.  Cyprus has created 4 schools in various areas in London in cooperation with school of the Greek community.