In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in rembetiko music. In the tumultuous times we are living through, with crises – whether real or perceived – of values and visions, it appears that ninety years after the so-called “golden age of Rembetiko music,” a generation attuned to a different rhythm, in a META-world, both loves and respects it. Wine bars, taverns, and rembetadika serve as gathering spots for young and old alike. The scene is bustling with numerous new song releases, reimagined classics, singles on Spotify, CDs, and vinyl records, live performances on social media and YouTube, and sold-out concerts, representing just a glimpse of the fresh energy infusing the contemporary world of Rembetiko.
Rembetiko remains a vital part of folk tradition and Greek culture, enduring and transcending time, not merely as a relic but as a form of artistic expression, a mode of thought, and a way of life. How does it manage to stir our emotions after all these years? Is its current popularity a passing trend or a genuine need? Does it retain its authenticity from the past? And most importantly, what does the future hold for this cherished musical genre?
To delve into these questions, listen to the second part of the show’s tribute to rembetiko, where we had a discussion with Antonis Maragos, a skilled bouzouki player and the Artistic Director of the “Syros Rembetiko Festival.” We also engaged in a special conversation with the “Rembetoreoi,” a dynamic young musical trio navigating the realms of rembetiko with talent and enthusiasm.
Broadcast of Part I: Saturday 27 July 2024, 10:00 Athens time
Broadcast of Part II: Saturday 03 August 2024, 10:00 Athens time
Produced and presented by Ariadni-Sofia Kouri