Acclaimed Greek singer and santouri virtuoso Areti Ketime is set to return to Australia for the first time since 2017, bringing her distinctive voice and love for rebetiko and traditional Greek music to diaspora audiences at the upcoming Zeibekiko Festival Australia.
“The invitation to the Zeibekiko Festival was a wonderful coincidence,” Ketime told Neos Kosmos. “I was moved by the idea that music would act as a bridge – it would unite people who may live far from Greece but share the same love for our roots.”
Music as a bridge for the diaspora
Ketime, who began performing from a young age and has built a career spanning more than two decades, said she is particularly touched by the way Greek Australians receive her music.
“The Greek audience of the diaspora always comes with nostalgia, emotion, and longing. It is as if they want to embrace with songs everything they miss from their homeland,” she said.
But her music also resonates with those who don’t share the same cultural background.
“Non-Greek audiences usually have a sweet curiosity. They listen attentively, let themselves be carried away by the melody, and ultimately are moved without needing to understand all the words. Music has this magic; it speaks directly to the heart.”
A program ‘with a lot of love’
For her Australian concerts, Ketime promises a vibrant repertoire that blends beloved classics with hidden gems.
“We have prepared a full program with a lot of love that consists of various rebetiko and traditional songs, as well as other well-known hits. I want the audience to feel like they are at a party, to sing, to be moved, and to travel through the melodies. There will also be some more unusual songs, for those who love discovering hidden gems.”
Reflecting on her artistic journey, she shared that maturity has deepened her craft.
“I think the changes happened naturally, through my experience and love for music. You learn to listen better, to respect silence, to give space to your collaborators, and to tell a story more meaningfully with your song.”
Her creative spark, however, remains unchanged.
“It always starts with a spark – a melody, a lyric, a memory. In the beginning, it was more instinctive, but now it’s more conscious: I know where I want to go and how to build it. It has changed in that I now have the experience to complete an idea more quickly and more purposefully, but the magic of the initial inspiration remains the same.”
Looking ahead
Ketime is currently working on new recordings that seek to merge tradition with innovation.
“Right now, I’m working on new recordings of rebetiko and traditional songs, as well as music that I want to take beyond Greece’s borders, with a contemporary sound but a Greek soul. We are also preparing concerts and collaborations that will be announced soon. I like to believe that the best is yet to come!”
The 36-year-old artist holds dear the milestones of her career so far, from her first steps on stage to collaborations with great musicians she once admired from afar.
“Every step is important, but I remember the moment I first went on stage at a young age and felt the audience’s acceptance. Also, collaborations with important creators and musicians whom I admired as a child. And of course, every time I manage to bring joy or emotion to the audience, I feel that this is the greatest ‘reward’.”
Australian tour dates
Ketime will be joined by her violinist maestro Dimitrios Stefopoulos for two headline concerts:
- 5 October – Ivanhoe Girls Performance Art Centre, Melbourne
- 10 October – Hurlstone Park RSL, Sydney
She will also appear at the Festival’s Opening Night Glendi in Sydney at the Greek Community Club on 3 October, and perform at the ‘Greatest Zeibekika Hits’ night at Steki Taverna, Marrickville, on 8 October.
