As the 34th Greek Festival of Sydney continues in full swing, one of the events capturing the imagination of the local community is The Mermaid’s Melodies.
This special event features songs, poems and images from Greece, Spain and the Arabic-speaking countries, with soloists Marina Thiveos, Paul Hofstetter, Ghada Daher-Elmowy with the Andalus Arabic Choir, and readings by Christine Kanellakis.
The audience will hear songs in Greek, Spanish and Arabic, with summary translations on Powerpoint and readings in English. The event is co-ordinated by Dr Alfred Vincent of the University of Sydney.
Alfred is certainly no stranger to the local Greek community. Having taught Modern Greek for 25 years at the university, where he is now an honorary affiliate, he has been a regular and active contributor to the festival since its early days. He now brings his passion for the Mediterranean and its music to western Sydney on Sunday 3 April.
What is bound to make this event even more special is the location. The Mermaid’s Melodies will be held in the multicultural suburb of Merrylands, a suburb that truly embraces cultural diversity as a community strength. The event is being supported by Holroyd City Council. Neos Kosmos sat down with Dr Alfred Vincent and Ghada Daher-Emowy, who guided us through the musical show.
Tell us how you were all inspired to come together to present such a powerful combination of music and culture from the Mediterranean?
Alfred: Ghada and her choir have delighted audiences in previous Greek Festivals. You don’t need to know Arabic to feel the joy, passion and beauty of their songs. This time it seemed a good idea to team them up with Maria and Paul, wonderful performers who have specialised in Greek and Spanish music.
The lineup of impressive local talent speaks for itself. How difficult is it to coordinate a show with different layers?
Alfred: Not difficult. The concert is divided into two clear parts: first Greek and Spanish, then Arabic songs from several different countries, beginning with southern Spain, al-Andalus, which was a home of Arabic culture many centuries ago, and even earlier was part of the world of Greeks and Phoenicians. It is all linked together by the Mediterranean, the sea that encouraged people to share their songs and music.
The show is called The Mermaid’s Melodies. Who is the mermaid and how did the name come about?
Alfred: She is the famous mermaid, the ‘Gorgona’ from Greek folklore. In Greek tradition, she has a specific connection with song and melody. She is a symbol, in fact, of Mediterranean music. To learn why, you’ll need to come to the concert.
I’m excited by the readings, can you tell us what is planned?
Alfred: As well as the mermaid folktale, Christine will read English translations of one or two short poems by the great Spanish poet Federico García Lorca, as a tribute marking the 80th anniversary of his death. The program also includes a Greek version of one of his poems, translated by Odysseas Elytis, with music by Mikis Theodorakis. The Greek Festival usually presents activities to the heartland of the Greek community in Sydney due to the location of the Greek speakers and facilities.This year there is an event in Merrylands and a book launch was held in Katoomba. How important is it for western Sydney to connect with the Greek Festival?
Alfred: Very important, in my opinion, and it’s wonderful to have this opportunity to recognise and celebrate the cultural wealth of western Sydney. We all know the demographic centre of Sydney is moving west, and it’s great that the festival can move with it.
The Andalus Arabic Choir is a not-for-profit multicultural group formed to promote Arabic heritage, art, music and culture. How did the organisation come about and how did you connect with the Greek community?
Ghada: Arabic and Andalusian music is a passion that brings people together. Despite religious, political and cultural differences, this music managed to survive through centuries and continues to unify people when they perform it. Our last concert at the Opera House is a perfect example of this manifestation. The multicultural audience response to our songs was overwhelming. Previous similar choirs existed but didn’t survive.
The passion of choristers involved was an incentive for me to take leadership and continue promoting our heritage music by registering this choir as a not-for-profit organisation and reach out to the Australian community. We were privileged to meet Dr Alfred Vincent who heard about us when preparing for the Greek Festival entitled ‘East of Athens’ in 2012; as our music fits the theme, we also performed in the following festival ‘West Wind’ in 2013.
What similarities do you see with the Greek and Arabic communities, especially in Australia?
Alfred: The Greeks and the Arabs are both passionate people, they love food and music and are masters in both. Singing, love, happiness, social justice, patriotic and wistful poems are all common in both cultures. Perhaps the Mediterranean wind is a factor in this. Nevertheless, nostalgia brings people together and Australia’s multicultural spirit is the perfect place for it.
Will there be future performances that we can look forward to?
Alfred: I certainly hope so. It has always been a pleasure to work with Ghada, her wonderful choir, and the superb musicians accompanying them.
Ghada: The feeling is mutual with Dr Vincent. It is always a pleasure to connect with the Greek community via the Greek Festival. As for the other performers, Greek Festival audiences have loved Christine’s readings in the past, and I am sure they will want to hear more from her, Paul and Marina in the future.
When: Sunday 3 April at 4.00 pm
Where: Holroyd Centre, 17 Miller Street, Merrylands
Cost: $15 (includes coffee and sweets)
Contact: (02) 9750 0440
For more information head to www.greekfestivalofsydney.com.au/events/april/the-mermaid%E2%80%99s-melodies.html