This feels a little awkward writing into a site for an endless amount of readers to see. I can't say that I know Theodorakis inside out, but I know his music in my soul very well. I grew up with his music in the 70's, because my family had his records; I was so moved by the impact and the insistence and the range of emotion coming from the singers. Unfortunately I don't remember every singers name so well, Maria Farantouri being one that I can just stuck to me, I believe because I related to her voice. I learned what was happening politically, but didn't really understand it until I was in my early adulthood. The music and then learning about the time thereafter, informed my work as an artist and participation with various causes throughout my career. It also shaped my ability to take charge of my identity as a Greek American, despite what was expected of me to be and as to what defines someone to "fit in" to the culture at large. I attended the concert at the Lincoln Center when Theodorakis and his original singers performed in 2000. I brought flowers, because for me it was like visiting the oracle. When I saw my offering shared on stage, I was so moved beyond belief. I wish I had the chance to meet Theodorakis then; I think that I would have been speechless. But now at this point, If I could propose working with him in some way, aesthetically, or having a formal dialogue of sorts about art and life, this would be incredible. I am also interested in learning more about the work he has done to really creating more solid ties between the people (and perhaps the constituencies?) of/from Greece and Turkey. Meanwhile, I will continue to be with the music, and with the knowledge that is available to me.
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