Episode 8: Σμυρνέικα (Smyrna)

Balkan Hotspot Radio
Balkan Hotspot Radio
Episode 8: Σμυρνέικα (Smyrna)
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Traditional Greek Music Radio Podcast

Originated in the damned shores of Asia Minor, there are songs still preserving the History of Smyrna – nowadays Izmir. It is a music with tons of bitterness, probations, and losses – but, for sure, it has a clímax of overcome (and it’s suitable to dance a Tango with tragedy). From its origins many centuries BC, passing through Alexander The Great’s mythological dream to rebuild the city, as well as important biblical references, until the so-called Great Fire, Smyrna’s mark in the Greek culture shall remain through the ages – between incredible stories; voices like the fantastic one of Σελένα Προδρομίδου (Selena Prodromidou), our guest in this episode; and μπουζούκια, the heart of Ρεμπέτικα… Therefore, Αγάπη, Τσίπουρο, Μπουζούκι & Roll wishes to invite the Dear Listeners to discover the wonders of the songs of Smyrna – which, similarly to Ποντιακά, mean home for many people!

Song list (by order of appearance):

1. LIVE – Καλωσορίσματα, by Σελένα Προδρομίδου (Welcoming song)

2. Κανελόριζα, by Δόμνα Σαμίου (Cinnamon root)

3. Δε σε θέλω πια, by Ιδιόμελον (I don’t want you anymore)

4. Κάηκε ένα σχολείο, by Κώστας Ρούκουνας (A school burned down)

5. Τι σε μέλει εσένανε, by Μαρίκα Παπαγκίκα (What do you care)

6. Μήλο μου και μανταρίνι, by Μαρίκα Παπαγκίκα (My apple and tangerine)

7. Πότε μαύρα, πότε άσπρα, by Γιώργος Κατσαρός (Sometimes black, sometimes white)

8. Θα σπάσω κούπες, by Μαρίκα Παπαγκίκα (I’ll bust cups)

9. Μπουρνοβαλιά, by Μαρίκα Παπαγκίκα (Burnovalia)

10. Οσμάν Αγάς, by Kymata (Osman Agas)

11. Τα σμυρνέικα τραγούδια, by Παντελής Θαλασσινός (The Smyrnaean songs)

12. Δεν είν’ αυγή να σηκωθώ, by Σελένα Προδρομίδου (Not a single dawn have I got up)


Additional material for extra-curious listeners:

A journalistic piece about the Smyrna tragedy
A well-balanced documentary on the Greek invasion and its outcomes:
Dances from Smyrna:
Other songs worth presenting to the ears:

Other episodes:

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Post Author: Bernardo Guerra Machado

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It has been 24 years of having dense, made in Portugal eyebrows. Despite not being able to drink from champagne flutes due to his big nose, he has recently concluded a master in Evolution and Human Behaviour. Feels passionate about gathering unexpected stories and understanding the process of learning a new culture.

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