Tributes

Today, we will be listening to some of Lina’s most powerful creations – songs of resilience that inspire us to mobilise our inner strength and spirit. Resilience, in the case of lyricist Lina Nikolakopoulou, is found in Melina Aslanidou’s decision to “say yes” or in Zacharias Karounis’ insistence “under the ...

This week, here at GME, is dedicated to probably the most original, inventive and indeed modern lyricist of Greek song, whose birthday we shall be celebrating on June 30. Starting with her collaboration with composer Stamatis Kraounakis, Lina Nikolakopoulou brought about a revolution in Greek song with...

Sea of Ionia, Zeibekiko of the sea, Summer dreams, The waves have bloomed, Tango Piraeus… The titles of so many instrumentals by composer Michalis Koumbios reveal his fascination with voyages and ports, seas and waves. Melodies of emotional intensity, images that invite us to travel and dream. Koumbios, a...

A unique musical tribute to the cities of Thessaly — a journey through dreamlike, magical sounds that take us to Larissa, Karditsa, Trikala, and Farsala. Leading the way is Vassilis Tsitsanis, “the Vlachos,” accompanied by voices and pens that shaped Greek music and memory: Lizeta Nikolaou, Stell...

In his career, vocalist Costas Karalis registered important collaborations with leading composers such as Yannis Spanos and Michalis Terzis. A red thread that runs through much of his repertoire is the motif of the sea, the seamen and the ships, the winds and the waves, the passion for voyages and departures....

Kostas Spanos, researcher and author, has been carrying out a remarkable body of work for 57 years. Since 1968, he has been documenting the history of Thessaly through studies and published books. He has authored over 500 scholarly articles, participated in 160 conferences and symposiums, and, since 1980, has published 87 volumes of the Thessalian Chronicle. It is both a joy and an honor to welcome him to the program “Time in Greece”, alongside longtime friend of the show and fellow historian Giorgos Gousias. Together, we uncover stories, ask questions, and learn more about his lifelong contribution — a true ... Read more

On 18 June, Giannis Papoutsakis presented a special tribute to summer on the show "Journeys Basking in Greek Light"—featuring texts, poems, and songs inspired by what is, for many, the most beloved season of the year. Summer came to life through the poetry of Seferis, Elytis, and Karyotakis, prose b...

Our track list today comes from three main pools, all associated with the sea, with endless voyages and hidden ports. Firstly, we will be appreciating the numerous songs about the sea that Lefteris Papadopoulos wrote and Manos Loizos composed, most of which are included in the album Thalassographies....

The remarkable story of P.A.O. Kalogreza — a football club that rose from the refugee neighborhoods of Nea Ionia to reach Greece’s second division — is brought to life through the powerful research of journalist Kostas Chalemos. Chalemos, author of the book "P.A.O. Kalogreza – The Street Kids: T...

Thanasis Nikopoulos was born in Lamia in March 1953. He began his musical studies at the Municipal Conservatory of Lamia and then studied piano, flute and advanced theory at the Municipal Conservatory of Athens. He is a graduate of the Law School of the University of Athens and a doctoral candidate...

The week that starts today, here at GME, is dedicated to the deep blue sea and to songs or instrumentals inspired by it. The first part of our week-long “thalassographies” focuses on rebetiko songs whose theme is directly linked to the sea, to its people, its professions and its images. From Babis Gol...

Let’s explore the story behind “The News of Kyrgia”, the local newspaper of the village Kyrgia, in the region of Drama. For 35 years, it has been published against the grain of modern trends — a quiet act of resilience in a rapidly changing world. From the rural heart of Drama, the paper reaches...

The 15 June episode of “Journeys Basking in Greek Light” with Giannis Papoutsakis was dedicated to Manos Hatzidakis, the “great romantic” of Greek song, marking 31 years since his passing. Through his own words, the thoughts of others, and—of course—his unforgettable music and songs.

The entire week that ends today, here at GME, was dedicated to the beautiful island of Crete and to its exquisite musical past and present. At the heart of this unique genre lies the Cretan lyra, the island’s most emblematic musical instrument. Our track list contains special songs and instrumentals, a...

Ladies and gentlemen, we proudly present the Greek wheelchair basketball champion: Atlas AMEA Kato Patision. The team clinched the national title—living up to its name—highlighting the significant work they've been doing since their founding in 2013. Nikolas Angelidis and his program "Time in Gre...

From the “rizitika” (root) songs of Manolis Lidakis and the Syrtos dances of Manolis Manouras to the beautiful coexistence of the oud of Giannis Dermitzakis with the voice of Katerina Zacharopoulou, today’s GME explores the rich past and vibrant present of Cretan music. Inventive folk poetry, plent...