Σ' αγαπώ γιατί εισ' ωραία - Πέτρος Γαϊτάνος: I Love You Because You Are Beautiful

One of the most famous Greek songs of Smyrna was Σ' αγαπώ γιατί εισ' ωραία (I Love You Because You Are Beautiful). This rendition, performed by noted chanteur of Byzantine music Petros Gaitanos, is a beautiful exploration of the relationship of a man and a woman, typical of Greek songs of Smyrna, but, this is a more intimate, introspective examination of male-female unions than other songs of Greek Smyrna.

 

It details how a man worships the ground on which his lady love walks on, but, she has shut him out, and he is pleading with her to let him back into her life. Like all the Greek songs of Smyrna, it is seemingly simplistic on the surface, but, it delves into human nature, and humanity, in a manner which is still very relevant to this day.

 

Its spare approach to physical detail weaves an affecting, haunting narrative which remains long in the mind, even after the listener has soaked it in. In addition to this, as with the other songs of Greek Smyrna, it contains a rich subtext which can be read any number of ways, and, definitely benefits from repeated plays to unfold the many hidden layers of meaning which it beholds.

Ist Year of Blog - SMYRNA GREEK CONNECTION

Today marks the 1st anniversary of my blog, SMYRNA GREEK CONNECTION. It has been an interesting journey through a topic close to my, and my family's hearts, and a subject which cannot be easily summarised into a few words, which I'm certain many others will agree with. The Greek population of Smyrna were a unique people who were leaders in their time, in terms of their attitudes towards the family, the arts, music, cuisine, publishing, philosophy, education... the list of their achievements goes on. It is heartening that they are also many other people who are interested in the Greek inhabitants of Smyrna, and I have witnessed this first-hand through the blog.

I am happy to say that SMYRNA GREEK CONNECTION has been viewed all over the world, with the five countries which have shown a major interest being Australia, United States, Russia, Germany and Greece. The blog has also been viewed in countries such as Belgium, Canada, United Kingdom, South Korea, Romania, Netherlands, Hungary, Malaysia, Mexico and, of course, Turkey. This is the one country whose present inhabitants I believe possess a growing curiosity, and interest, about those people who once lived in their country since antiquity, and contributed so much to what is now known as modern-day Izmir, Turkey (Asia Minor).

I also believe that present-day Turks, especially those of the younger generation, would be fascinated to know more about the Greek, and other peoples, who once populated the city of Smyrna, and left their indelible stamp on the city, which would only enrich their knowledge of their country.

Μενιδιάτης Μιχάλης - Το Χαρικλάκι (Hariklaki -sung by Mihalis Menidiatis)

One of the most spirited songs to have emerged out of Smyrna is Το Χαρικλάκι (Hariklaki). It was based upon a Turkish song which originated from Smyrna, which the Greek refugees from Smyrna brought with them to Greece. The song was adapted for the Greek-speaking audience and the rest, as they say, is history. The song is about a free-spirited, uninhibited, flirty young woman who is equally adept at leading men on, breaking their hearts, and, enjoying her life to the fullest. This rendition, sung by popular Greek singer Mihalis Menidiatis, is my personal favorite, and his relaxed style of singing only emphasises the antics of the incorrigible Hariklaki.

ΤΟ ΑΛΑΤΙ ΤΗΣ ΓΗΣ 18-12-2011 (Μικρασιάτικο) The Salt of the Earth (Greek Asia Minor Tribute Show) from ERT Greek TV

One of the most entertaining televised tributes to Asia Minor, ΤΟ ΑΛΑΤΙ ΤΗΣ ΓΗΣ (Salt of the Earth) specifically devoted to the music and customs of both Smyrna and Nea Erythrai, was broadcast recently on the excellent Greek ERT public channel. It was a program filled with a cavalcade of Greek Smyrnaean music largely sung by noted Greek singer of Asia Minor music, Iasemi Saragouda, who is of Asia Minor family heritage, accompanied by her musician husband, Nikos. The program also featured discussions of Greek life in Asia Minor, food delicacies, and other such interesting information. Without any further ado, I hope that you enjoy this special as much as my family and I did, and also share in the sheer magic, and joy, of Greek Smyrna and Asia Minor!

Δεν σε θέλω πια - Σμυρνέϊκο / De se thelo pia - Traditional song of Greek Smyrna

Continuing our exploration of the songs of Greek Smyrna, Δεν σε θέλω πια, (I Don't Want You Anymore), is another of the most famous songs of Greek Smyrna, and a personal favourite. As with many of the songs of Greek Smyrna, it details a relationship between a man and a woman, and how this has gone awry as of late.

In its light-hearted and philosophical way, it describes how even though there still exists an attraction between the two people in the song, not even feminine wiles on the lady's part can save them, as the man is in love with another woman, a which fact he refers to without even batting an eyelid! 

This is a seemingly simplistic song which invites the listener to revel in its cheeky antics but which, below the surface, like all the songs of Greek Smyrna, is tremendously observant of human nature, and gives an insight into how the Greek people of Smyrna saw life in all its various spheres.

Eleftheria Arvanitaki - Tha Spaso Koupes: A Fine Example of a Smyrneiko Song

It is well-known that the Greek citizens of Smyrna were a people with inimitable views on life, love, cooking, philosophy, family and the arts, just for starters. THA SPASO KOUPES, performed in this version by famous Greek singer Eleftheria Arvanitaki, is one of the most famous Smyrneika songs, eloquently expressing the spirit and character of the Greeks of Smyrna in a breezy, light manner. It details how a young woman has exchanged harsh words with a man, and consequently breaks off their relationship. In spite of still harbouring some feelings for him, she has decided to extricate herself from her relationship with him, and take the experience in her stride. She indulges in dance, specifically the tsifteteli, to effectively remove, and cleanse this person from her consciousness. I sincerely hope you enjoy this song, and notice how its lyrics have stood the test of time, even after many years.

Portrait of a Greek Smyrna Lady: Efthalia Kokkinogenis ΕΥΘΑΛΙΑ ΚΟΚΚΙΝΟΓΕΝΗ

I have posted a beautiful photograph of my great-grandmother, Efthalia Kokkinogenis, who lived her life in Smyrna, and, unfortunately, lost her life at a very young age there. Daughter of Vasiliki, my great-great grandmother, wife of Manolis Kokkinogenis, my great-grandfather, and mother of Maria Kokkinogenis, my grandmother (later Maria Coroneos, wife of Christoforos Coroneos of Cairo, Egypt), my great-grandmother, Efthalia, lived a brief but happy life, with her husband Manoli, who owned a large cafe in Smyrna, and daughter Maria.

Efthalia gave birth to two children, one of them being daughter Maria, but, tragically lost her baby son, and never had any other children. Efthalia passed away at the age of thirty-three, leaving her husband Manoli widowed. Manoli never remarried after his wife's death, and vowed to look after his daughter Maria. He did this with the able assistance of his mother-in-law, Vasiliki, and her sister, Stelia Skouros. Maria's time with her father was also cut short, though, as Manoli died as the result of an accident, and, Maria had now lost both of her parents. Thereafter, Maria was raised by her loving maternal grandmother, Vasiliki, and Maria's Aunt Stelia, who did their very best to help Maria adjust to the loss of both her parents, and provide a safe, nurturing and loving home for Maria.