Ελεωνόρα Ζουγανέλη - “Rewind στο Μέλλον”

Αθήνα, 21 Σεπτεμβρίου 2012. 
“Rewind στο Μέλλον” 
Η Ελεωνόρα Ζουγανέλη στον Κήπο του Μεγάρου Μουσικής σε τραγούδια του Σταύρου Ξαρχάκου.
 
Athens, Greece.
Popular Greek singer Eleonora Zouganeli, Live in concert.

More images at:  Kevrekidis Photography 

[ FujiFilm FinePix HS10 ]

 © 2012 Jordan Kevrekidis

Dourakis Tower - Πύργος Δουράκη

Πύργος Δουράκη 
Καστανέα ή Καστάνια (Καστανιά). 
Δυτική Μάνη, Μεσσηνία. 

Dourakis Tower, Kastanea or Kastania. 
West Mani, Messenia – Greece.

The Dourakis Tower was named after the clan (family) which dominated the area of Kastania in the 18th and early 19th centuries. It was once the refuge of Theodoros Kolokotronis and many other heroes during the Greek War of Independence. Mani is one of the foremost traditional regions in Greece and possesses a profuse historical and cultural heritage. Mani lies to the southern part of Peloponnesus, within the administrative authority of Laconia and Messenia. It is a land of stone towers and beautiful beaches.

More images at: Kevrekidis Photography 

[ FujiFilm FinePix HS10 ]

© 2012 Jordan Kevrekidis

Trahila - Τραχήλα

Τραχήλα, Δυτική Μάνη – Μεσσηνία. 
Trahila, West Mani, Messenia – Greece.

Trahila is a small fishing village at the Messenian Gulf. Mani is one of the foremost traditional regions in Greece and possesses a profuse historical and cultural heritage. Mani lies to the southern part of Peloponnesus, within the administrative authority of Laconia and Messenia. It is a land of stone towers and beautiful beaches.

More images at: Kevrekidis Photography

[ FujiFilm FinePix HS10 ]

© 2012 Jordan Kevrekidis

Vasilis Papakonstantinou & Tania Kikidi in concert

Vasilis Papakonstantinou Live 

Ο Βασίλης Παπακωνσταντίνου σε συναυλία στην Ερέτρια.
Rock singer and songwriter Vasilis Papakonstantinou in a concert at Eretria, Greece.

Tania Kikidi Live

H Τάνια Κικίδη σε συναυλία στην Ερέτρια.
Rock singer Tania Kikidi in concert at Eretria, Greece.

More images at: Kevrekidis Photography 


© 2012 Jordan Kevrekidis

Flamenco

Sevilla, Andalucía - España.

Flamenco

Seville, Andalusia - Spain. 

When the Gypsies arrived in Andalucia from India around 1425, they brought with them many song and dance styles that have strong Indian connections. At this time Andalucía was still under Arab rule. Along with the Jews and the Moors, the Gypsies were soon to be persecuted by the Catholic monarchs and the Inquisition.

These laws and restrictions resulted in bands of Gypsies, Moors and Jews taking refuge in treacherous mountainous areas, which were too desolate for the authorities to pursue them. These different cultures lived in relative harmony for many years, and the fusion of their music and dances are what we know today as Flamenco.

In the 19th century attitude towards the Gypsies changed considerably. Numerous bands of gypsies descended on villages and towns, bringing with them their exciting, seductive music - flamenco. Their mysterious music and stimulating dances were soon to catch the attention of the romantic writers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Stories abound of these strange people performing their wild and erotic dances and of the harsh unusual tones of their songs. It wasn’t long before the “gachó”, those not of gypsy lineage, became intrigued by this music. Gypsy singers were hired to entertain the señoritos in private parties, know as “Juergas”, where the rich would entertain themselves with prostitutes, alcohol and flamenco.

More images from Spain at: Kevrekidis Photography 

© 2012 Jordan Kevrekidis

Trahila - Τραχήλα

Τραχήλα, Δυτική Μάνη – Μεσσηνία.

Trahila, West Mani, Messenia – Greece.

Trahila is a small fishing village at the Messenian Gulf.
Mani is one of the foremost traditional regions in Greece and possesses a profuse historical and cultural heritage. Mani lies to the southern part of Peloponnesus, within the administrative authority of Laconia and Messenia. It is a land of stone towers and beautiful beaches.

More images at: Kevrekidis Photography

© 2012 Jordan Kevrekidis

Tholos Tomb

Μυκηναϊκός θολωτός τάφος του Άνω Εγκλιανού.
Πύλος, Μεσσηνία.

Mycenaean tholos tomb of Ano Englianos.
Pylos, Messenia – Greece. 

 Tholos Tomb

A tholos tomb (plural tholoi "domed tombs") also known as a beehive tomb is a burial structure characterized by its false dome created by the superposition of successively smaller rings of mudbricks or, more often, stones. The resulting structure resembles a beehive. In Greece, the vaulted tholoi are a monumental Late Bronze Age development.

This Mycenaean tholos tomb is the largest in the area and stands near the palace at Epano Englianos. It was built around 1550-1500 BC and remained in use throughout the 15th and possibly until the 13th century BC. As a family tomb, it is estimated to have accommodated at least 17 burials. Although it had been looted in antiquity, it still contained pottery and precious small objects. Outstanding among them are four sheet-gold owls and a gold seal with representation of a griffin, emblem of royal authority. The presence of royal tholos tombs in the area of Englianos indicates that around 1500 BC there was a large settlement on the hill, which was the center of an extensive territory.

The site compares in size and richness with the palace of Mycenae and is believed to be the home of Nestor, the second most powerful Mycenaean king. In Greek mythology, Nestor of Gerenia was the King of Pylos. According to Homer’s Iliad, Nestor took part n the expedition against Troy, provided and equipped 90 vessels, second only to the 100 ships of the expedition leader, Agamemnon himself. Nestor returned in safety from Troy and survived a good many years. In the Odyssey, Nestor and those who were part of his army had safely returned to Pylos since they didn't take part in the looting of Troy upon the Greek's victory in the Trojan War. Odysseus's son Telemachus travels to Pylos to inquire about the fate of his father. Nestor receives Telemachus kindly and entertains him lavishly but is unable to furnish any information on his father's fate.


More images at: Kevrekidis Photography


kevrekidis.deviantart.com

[ FujiFilm FinePix HS10 ]

© 2012 Jordan Kevrekidis

Messenian Beach

H παραλία του όρμου της Βοϊδοκοιλιάς.
Λιμνοθάλασσα της Γιάλοβας, Μεσσηνία.

Voidokilia Bay beach.
Lagoon of Gialova, Messenia – Greece.

Δημήτρης Μητροπάνος - "Μια εκδρομή"

Έχω δύο “εμμονές”!
Τη φωτογραφία και τη φωνή του Μητροπάνου.

Κάπως έτσι αρχίζει η ιστορία.
Μια εκδρομή ειν’ η ζωή μας. Ήμουν παιδάκι πριν 30 χρόνια, όταν ο θειος μου, (μουσικός και φανατικός θαυμαστής του Μητροπάνου) μου έβαζε τα τραγούδια του στο πικ-απ. Μια φωνή μέσα στις χαρούμενες παιδικές μου μνήμες.

“Πάρε μια χούφτα θάλασσα, πάρε μια χούφτα ήλιο και πλύνε μου το πρόσωπο…”
“Κι αν θέλεις όρκους της ζωής θα ορκιστώ από αρχής αγαπημένη…”
“Η ζωή μας κύλησε και έφτασε στο τέρμα όπως ένα κέρμα στην κατηφοριά...”

Αργότερα στην εφηβεία, πέρασα στη ροκιά και στο metal του 80. Μετά από λίγα χρόνια τον ξανάκουσα. Τον ξανάκουσα διαφορετικά, μέσα απ τα τραγούδια του Μάριου Τόκα και τους στίχους του Φίλιππου Γράψα.

“Αφού με φέρνει μονοπάτι φαναριώτικο ένα σοκάκι με κρατάει σαλονικιώτικο…”
“Μοναχική και σπάνια γυρνάς μεσ' στα Βαλκάνια ανέμους να θερίσεις…”
“Μύριες χαμένες μοναξιές με σένα σμίγανε, φεύγαν καράβια μα πριν φύγουν σου σφυρίζανε…”

Και μετά έγινε το θαύμα, η αποκάλυψη!
Ο Θάνος Μικρούτσικος, “Στου Αιώνα την Παράγκα”.

“Τρικάταρτο η αγάπη σου και ο καιρός αρμύρα…”
“Αγάπη μου από κάρβουνο και θειάφι πώς σ' έχει αλλάξει έτσι ο καιρός…”

Αυτό ήταν! Τον ακλουθούσα παντού. Στο θέατρο Βράχων, στο Zoom στη Πλάκα, στη Πύλη Αξιού στη Θεσ/νίκη, στο Ηρώδειο, στο Λυκαβηττό… όπου ο Μητροπάνος και εγώ… κάθε χρόνο, κάθε σεζόν…

“Πιστεύω μόνο παραμύθια λαϊκά τα κόκκινα τα μπλουζ που κοροϊδεύεις…”
“Σε παράδεισους ανθίζω και σε θερμοκήπια, ονειρεύομαι κι ελπίζω και πεθαίνω ήπια…”
“Αν είσαι πλάι μου μπορώ να μ' αντιμετωπίσω, τη μοίρα μου να ορίσω να μεταμορφωθώ…”
“Δεν έχει η νύχτα απόψε νικητή, απόψε δεν αφήσαμε το σώμα να μιλήσει…”

Σήμερα το πρωί, όπως όλοι μας, έμαθα ότι πέθανε. Προσπαθώ να το συνειδητοποιήσω και δεν μπορώ. Βρήκε καιρό να μας αφήσει. Τώρα που χρειαζόμαστε τη φωνή του… να τραγουδάει το μεράκι μας…

“Ζωή νταλίκα κόκκινη στις εθνικές του κόσμου
Του Στέλιου τα τραγούδια βενζίνα των φτωχών
Αγάπη θεοσκότεινη πολλά ουϊσκια εντός μου
Ακούνε τα ζεϊμπέκικα σαν το Πάτερ Ημών…”

Αντίο Δημήτρη…

“Μια εκδρομή είναι η ζωή μου με μαγική διαδρομή
Έγιναν φίλοι μου και οι εχθροί μου και τραγουδάμε με μια φωνή
Εμένα και ο θάνατος μου φαίνεται γιορτή, ένα λαχείο ειν' η ζωή ας είναι κι αμορτί
Λουλούδια για το χάροντα μπουζούκι και κιθάρα
Κι ένα ανοιχτό περίπτερο να πάρουμε τσιγάρα…”







27 Ιουνίου 2011 - Θέατρο Λυκαβηττού, Αθήνα.

Ο Γιάννης Κότσιρας και ο Δημήτρης Μητροπάνος στη σκηνή.









Αθήνα, 10 Σεπτεμβρίου 2009.

Ο Δημήτρης Μητροπάνος στο Ωδείο Ηρώδου Αττικού.

1821

Παλαιά Καρδαμύλη, Δυτική Μάνη.
Old Kardamyli, West Mani – Greece.















A Maniot warrior at Mourtzinos Tower in Old Kardamyli.

Mani is one of the foremost traditional regions in Greece and possesses a profuse historical and cultural heritage. Mani lies to the southern part of Peloponnesus, within the administrative authority of Laconia and Messenia. It is a land of stone towers and beautiful beaches. Mani is home of the Maniots (Maniátes in Greek). The Maniots hold themselves to be the direct descendants of the Spartans and through the Spartans the Dorians.

Maniots, known for their martial qualities, were the first to join the Greek liberation movement. On March 17, 1821, the Maniat clan leaders gathered in Areopolis and declared war against the Ottoman Empire. Their flag was white with a blue cross in the center. Atop the flag was the motto "Victory or death". The Maniots were responsible for writing "Victory" and not "Freedom" on their banner, since Mani was always free. At the bottom of the flag was an ancient Spartan inscription, “With the shield or on the shield” (used by King Leonidas I of Sparta). On March 21, an army of 2,000 Maniots under the command of Petros Mavromichalis, Theodoros Kolokotronis, and Papaflessas marched from Areopolis to Kardamyli and on to Kalamata. The Greek War of Independence had begun. By the end of March, the Peloponnese was in open revolt against the Turks and by October 1821 the Greeks had captured Tripolis (Tripolitsa). The Peloponnesian revolt was quickly followed by revolts in Crete, Macedonia and Central Greece.

The Greeks drove the Turks out of the Peloponnese and proceeded to the captured part of Central Greece by 1828. Greece was finally recognized as an independent nation in May 1832. The Revolution is celebrated by the modern Greek state on the 25th of March as the Independence Day.

More images at: Kevrekidis Photography

[ FujiFilm FinePix HS10 ]

© 2012 Jordan Kevrekidis

Breaking News

January 5, 2012
Breaking News - a few minutes ago near Athens, Greece.







A car caught fire in a parking lot. Fortunately, the Fire Department arrived before the fire spread in other cars and a nearby field.

More images at: Kevrekidis Photography

[ FujiFilm FinePix HS10 ]

© 2012 Jordan Kevrekidis