The Pancretan Association of Melbourne has honoured the memory of emblematic Cretan lyra player Kostas Mountakis with a special musical tribute marking 100 years since his birth on 10 February 1926.
Mountakis was one of the most significant figures in Cretan traditional music. Through his lyra, his integrity and his profound knowledge of Crete’s musical heritage, he left an enduring imprint on the island’s cultural history. His contribution to the preservation and promotion of Cretan music, both within Greece and across the diaspora, remains unparalleled.
Particular mention was made of his close ties with the Greek Australian community. Mountakis visited Australia three times — in 1971, 1972 and 1989 — becoming historically recognised as the first Cretan artist to set foot in the country. During these landmark tours, he brought the sound of the Cretan lyra to expatriate Cretans, strengthening their connection to their homeland and offering moments of deep emotion and pride.
The commemorative musical and dance tribute, presented by the younger members of the third and fourth generations of the Melbourne Cretan community, served as a heartfelt homage to the great teacher of Cretan music. Through the lyra and the songs that defined his legacy, his cultural inheritance was revived and passed on to new generations as a living tradition.
The Pancretan Association of Melbourne expressed its sincere thanks to the musicians who accompanied the memorial event at the Cretan Village of Melbourne: Tassos Bagourakis on lyra and vocals, Patrick Montgommery on laouto, Giorgos Rerakis-Ibrahimi on laouto, and Antonis Iliou on guitar. Together with the youth dance groups, they performed and danced to melodies associated with “Moundokostas”, as Mountakis was affectionately known.
Association President Ioannis Nikolakakis and the Board of the Pancretan Association of Melbourne called on the global Cretan diaspora and the wider public to honour the memory of Kostas Mountakis through events and initiatives dedicated to a man who served the Cretan spirit with passion and authenticity.
