The Ship’s Log – 17 July 2024
‘Voice of Greece‘ radio, formerly known as ‘Pempto Programma (ERA 5) transmits its signal to all corners of the globe where Greeks communities exist.
In the station’s lineup, Greek sailors exploring the world’s seas hold a special place. Whether as ERA 5 or as Voice of Greece, our aim has always been an interactive radio, providing a voice for our sailors, keeping them company, and sharing their experiences and unforgettable tales.
“We would gather at the ship’s bridge and always tune in to Voice of Greece. It was our Voice – a bridge connecting us with our own and our homeland.”
And so, in January 2024, this column began on the website of Voice of Greece, titled “The Ship’s Log.” For all sailors and those wanting to share their experiences and emotions with the Voice of Greece. A “safe harbor” featuring videos, photos, texts, poems, thoughts, dreams, memories, and sea life incidents.
As the number ‘five’ and the sea are intertwined with Voice of Greece, we have selected five ‘sea-related’ songs dedicated to the listeners of Voice of Greece worldwide.
1. Yiannis Markopoulos – The Sea
(Instrumental)
During his 1975 holiday in Agios Nikolaos, screenwriter Michael J. Bird overheard a fellow tourist mentioning his absence from the island since his time fighting with rebels in World War II. This sparked the idea for the BBC2 series “Who Pays the Ferryman,” directed by William Slater in collaboration with the Greek Film Centre. The series’ music was composed by Yiannis Markopoulos.
2. Yiannis Koutras – Kuro Siwo
Music: Thanos Mikroutsikos
Lyrics: Nikos Kavvadias
‘Kuroshio’ is a potent warm ocean current flowing through the northwestern Pacific Ocean, transporting warm water from the tropics northward. Thanos Mikroutsikos beautifully set the poem of the ‘maritime’ poet Nikos Kavvadias to music.
3. Katiana Balanika – Kupasti
Music: Stamatis Kraounakis
Lyrics: Lina Nikolakopoulou
From the theatrical play “The Sixth Floor” (1992)
4. Katerina Papadopoulou – Open Seas (The Wedding Song)
Live recording at the Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Saint George in Vasson, Karpathos. This is an adaptation of a traditional wedding song from Kastellorizo.
Katerina Papadopoulou: Adaptation, vocals
Stefanos Dormapakis: Kanun, vocals
Giorgos Kontogiannis: Cretan lyre, stamna, bendir
Kyriakos Tapakis: Oud, Spanish guitar
Giorgos Kariotis: Recording, remixing
Christos Achladiotis: Sound engineer assistant
Central Distribution: Artistic Association of Folk Music Domna Samiou
From the album Notio Toxo in Karpathos (2019)
5. Giorgos Andreou – Holy Love
…and a tribute to love and summer at number 5.
Music: Giorgos Andreou
Poetry: Dionysis Karatzas
