Tribute Concert to Grigoris Bithikotsis at Afra Square, 27/07/2024

Tribute to Grigoris Bithikotsis, the interpreter of Romiosyni, on Saturday, July 27 at 21:00, at Afra Square, organized by the Afra Cultural and Educational Association with main performers Grigoris Bithikotsis Jr. and Agathi Koskina.

The “Sir” of Greek music, the popular singer and composer, with his characteristic Doric voice, who gifted Greek song some of its most stunning moments.

The singer who, within the great works of Mikis Theodorakis, became the catalyst for the verses of Seferis, Elytis, Ritsos, and Livaditis to reach every corner of Hellenism.

His performances in Mikis Theodorakis’ works “Epitaphios”, “Where Did My Boy Fly”, “You Left on a May Day”, “Romiosyni”, “The Bells Will Ring”, with poetry by Yiannis Ritsos, and “Axion Esti”, “Sun of Justice”, “One Swallow”, with poetry by Odysseas Elytis, marked his presence in Greek song and are considered unsurpassed.

A significant moment in his career was his collaboration with Manos Hadjidakis, “I Am a Bird Without Wings”, “Time Passes”, “There’s a Dance in Lavrio”, “Talk to Me”, among others, as well as collaborations with great composers such as Stavros Xarchakos, “Cruel Life”, “A Bright Day for Us Too”, Apostolos Kaldaras, Markos Vamvakaris, Vassilis Tsitsanis, Giorgos Mitsakis, Dimos Moutsis, Akis Panou, and others.

In the atmospheric setting of the square in the suburb of Corfu, in the village of Afra, his son, Grigoris Bithikotsis, who continues to spread his father’s songs to younger generations, along with our own Agathi Koskina, interpreter of Giorgos Hadjinassios, who recently performed the songs of the incomparable Haris Alexiou in her presence, at the tribute to her at the Old Fortress of Corfu, will present, accompanied by a folk orchestra and under the direction of the esteemed conductor Giorgos Paggiatis, all our favorite songs and the greatest hits of the performer, with music and lyrics by the aforementioned great composers as well as himself, such as: “Bright Day”, “Cruel Life”, “Poor People”, “Denial”, “Doubts”, “I Will Close My Eyes”, “The Dream”, “Frankosyriani”, “Saturday Night in Kaisariani”, “Drapetsona”, and many more.

Orchestra Conductor – Arrangements: Giorgos Paggiatis
Choral Arrangements – Choir Conductor: Agathi Koskina
Artistic Supervision: Giorgos Paggiatis, Agathi Koskina
The concert will feature the Mixed and Children’s Choir “Lambovitissa” of the association, as well as the children’s choir “The Smiles of Mon Repos”, of the Children’s Care House of the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands, and will be presented by journalist Mrs. Iro Lella.

Entrance 12 euros
Presale tickets: 10 euros (until 25/7), Nako Photocopy Center – Mantzarou 14

The concert is under the auspices of the Ionian Islands Region.