The main topic of discussion in Greece these days is not who will become president or whether the war in Ukraine will end quickly once Donald Trump assumes office in the US. It is a phenomenon: how tens of thousands of Greeks are flocking to the cinema for a film on the life of music legend Stelios Kazantzidis. It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t feel like the film “spoke” to them in some way. Everyone describes scenes of packed cinemas with people singing along with the protagonist.
What is it that attracts us to this era that Kazantzidis also symbolizes? I would say “authenticity.” There’s a reason why 40 or 50 years later we still enjoy the old Greek movies and sing songs from the era at parties. And this is not just the nostalgia of older folks. Even youngsters quote lines from classic films and know the lyrics of the popular tunes of the era. For older generations, there is a strong element of nostalgia for a time of relative carelessness. The country was poorer than it is today but the notions of family, neighborhood and friends were much stronger. These are all found in the lyrics of Lefteris Papadopoulos, which is why his songs still resonate, even if they speak of neighborhoods that have lost their connection to the past.
Greeks have not forgotten how to enjoy themselves and party. Getting together with friends is still a big part of our lives, but much of our entertainment is ersatz, less authentic. The emotion you feel when you listen to Kazantzidis or Dimitris Mitropanos cannot be compared – with a few worthy exceptions – to what you feel when you listen to today’s top names in music. It is no coincidence that sophisticated groups of students or thirty-somethings are now looking for venues with live music. If they stumble upon a place with a jukebox, they are initially bewildered and then enchanted by that wonderful “scratchy” sound that speaks directly to your soul much more than a club with huge speakers. It is, however, hopeful that we are keeping pieces of this culture alive, that a contemporary singer like Christos Mastoras who plays Kazantzidis can interpret a legend so authentically and fill movie theaters.
Greece is not a carefree country to live in – quite the opposite. The simplest things can become extremely complicated and uncertainty dominates people’s lives. The feeling that existed during the times of Kazantzidis, that each year would be somewhat better than the previous one, has been largely lost. However, we continue to be a people who know how to have a good time, to sing their pain, to join friends in endless dances and to observe centuries-old traditions in a unique way.
We all, perhaps, are anxious about losing these deep Greek elements that unite us and give us a very special character that captivates every lucky foreigner who comes into contact with them. Perhaps this is why we are drawn to everything authentic, whether it is the voice of Kazantzidis, or a festival in a village, or a well-hidden little taverna where time seems to have stood still.
