On Sunday, November 24, 2024, 2024, the first hour of the program “Our Town” with Themis Rodamitis was dedicated to Stavros Zafeiriou.
The renowned and widely translated poet, recipient of the State Poetry Prize for his work “Green Sky, Blue Grass,” has been nominated three times for the same award. He has also been honored by the Circle of Children’s Books for his fairy tale “The Carnival of Animals” and by “Anagnostis” magazine for his poetry collection “Where To.”
In conversation with Themis Rodamitis, he discussed his city, Thessaloniki, where he resides, bringing to life the era when the city thrived with prominent figures such as Aslanoglou, Themelis, Katos, and Vafopoulos.
He reflected on the thinkers who inspire him and the poets who have influenced him, such as T.S. Eliot.
Renowned literary critics and intellectuals have praised Zafeiriou’s poetry, describing it as embodying a “complex worldview” and an “honest confession of the dilemmas and impasses of contemporary humanity.”
The poet also shared his thoughts on his favorite philosophers, including Heraclitus, Aristotle, Nietzsche, and Heidegger. Poetry readings were performed by poet Elina Afentaki and Zafeiriou himself.
In the second hour of the show, Themis Rodamitis will welcomed Violeta Ikari to the studio of Voice of Greece.
The talented and charismatic singer talked about her mentors, her experiences, the music she grew up with and loved, the artists she admired, and those who influenced her.
She discussed the works that shaped her journey in Greek music and the recognition she has gained from peers who entrust her with their songs.
Ikari, who also writes some of her own songs, touched on her studies in Byzantine and European music, her collaborations with artists ranging from Dionysis Savvopoulos to Psarantonis, and her performances in music venues and theaters.
She shared her belief that traditional festivals in Ikaria remain vibrant and true to their roots, and she highlighted the new wave of talented young musicians dedicated to folk music.
Special attention was given to her song “Come and Shatter My World,” recently released to great acclaim.
The program featured songs from her career, performed live in the studio.
Produced and presented by Themis Rodamitis