Professor Theodora Psychogiou, musicologist at the Sorbonne, spoke on Voice of Greece and the program “Our Global Voice” with Dimitris Kontogiannis about the two-day conference held at Sorbonne University in honor of Manos Hadjidakis on 21–22 November, titled “Manos Hadjidakis: musique, culture, politique.”
Ms. Psychogiou, who co-organized the conference with Dimitris Papanikolaou, Professor of Modern Greek Literature at the University of Oxford, with the support of academic institutions as well as the Greek Community of Paris and Suburbs and the Hellenic Cultural Center, noted that the approach was holistic. Speakers explored the connections between Hadjidakis and fields such as politics, sociology, poetry, history, and cinema.
A highlight was the presence of Nana Mouskouri, who spoke and softly sang “To chartino feggaraki” with the audience during the closing session. The participation of composer Nikos Kypourgos and composer–singer Nena Venetsanou also left a strong impression. Equally notable was the presentation of the documentary Manos Hadjidakis: Reflection in the Mirror by Dimitris Vernikos, along with his remarks about his correspondence with the composer through drawings and colors.
Ms. Psychogiou added that Giorgos Kouroupos, Savina Yannatou, and Maria Farantouri also greeted the conference with recorded messages.
There were, she emphasized, important contributions as well from Katerina Fotinaki and Magda Nikolaïdou, among others.