The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is going to present a unique cultural event that brings to the fore the rich musical tradition of Rhodope before 1930. The project “Sounds of Rhodope” constitutes an original and comprehensive approach to the overall musical history of the region, through the performance and recording of approximately 25 works that highlight the multiculturalism of the region.
These musics, which come from the traditions of the different populations of Rhodope, will be recorded in a professional studio by renowned artists of international fame, such as Kyriakos Petras, Vasilis Serpezis, Giorgos Pagozidis, Drosos Koutsokostas, and Nikos Aggousis-Doitsidis. The performance of the works will be done in an authentic manner, faithful to the first performance.
The result of the research and musical production will be accompanied by a bilingual publication–album, of approximately 100 pages, with a hardcover or case. This album will include rich photographic material from the period, original texts, and scientifically documented research signed by ethnomusicologists Yannis Pagozidis, Nagia Dalakoura, Giorgos Pagozidis, Iraklis Psomadopoulos, and Panagiotis Kaitatzis.
This initiative has as its main objective the research, recording and scientific editing for the preservation and promotion of the musical and cultural heritage of Rhodope, while simultaneously disseminating and reaching out to the new generations. Furthermore, it aspires to preserve the historical and musical archives of the region over time and to bring them to the music-loving public of the Region, contributing to the promotion of the multicultural identity of Rhodope.
The project is addressed not only to scholars and experts but also to the general public, with the aim of informing, entertaining, and enhancing the number of visitors to the region by highlighting its rich musical and cultural heritage. “Sound Colours of Rhodope” constitutes a bridge between the past and the present, offering a vivid image of history through music, folklore, and photographic material.
With this action, the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace gives a dynamic presence on the cultural map, strengthening the identity and recognition of Rhodope as a region with a rich and vibrant tradition that the whole world deserves to know.
