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Dionysis Savvopoulos and his songs

 Who is Dionysis Savvopoulos?

Dionysis Savvopoulos is one of Greece’s most influential musicians, since he sings, writes lyrics and composes his own songs.
Born in Thessaloniki in 1944, he became known for blending Greek folk music with rock and poetic lyrics, creating a unique sound that marked the cultural awakening of the 1960s and 1970s.  For many Greeks, Savvopoulos is not just a musician but a storyteller who captures the spirit of modern Greece through his words and melodies.

He began his career in 1964, appearing in nightclubs together with Maria Farantouri and Manos Loizos.
Savvopoulos was imprisoned twice during the Greek dictatorship. People fell in love with him straight away, making him and his music very popular in Greece and abroad.
In some of his songs, he combined the music of American musicians such as Bob Dylan with folk music from Macedonia, northern Greece, and lyrics about current political affairs. He has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Department of Philology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Ο Διονύσης Σαββόπουλος θεωρείται ο πρωτεργάτης της σχολής των Ελλήνων τραγουδοποιών. Τραγουδοποιοί ονομάζονται όσοι γράφουν μουσική, στίχους και τραγουδούν οι ίδιοι τα τραγούδια
τους. Άρχισε τη σταδιοδρομία του το 1964, και έκανε εμφανίσεις σε νυχτερινά κέντρα με τη Μαρία Φαραντούρη και τον Μάνο Λοΐζο.

Κατά τη διάρκεια της δικτατορίας φυλακίστηκε δύο φορές. Γνώρισε πολύ γρήγορα τεράστια επιτυχία και σύντομα έγινε πολύ δημοφιλής στην Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό. Είχε συνδυάσει τη μουσική Αμερικανών μουσικών όπως του Μπομπ Ντίλαν με μακεδονική λαϊκή μουσική και στίχους πολιτικού περιεχομένου. Έχει ανακηρυχτεί επίτιμος διδάκτορας στο τμήμα
Φιλολογίας του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης.

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A Greek Song for a New Haircut? Yes, Really!

Let’s learn A Greek Song for a New Haircut!

Ένα ελληνικό τραγούδι για ένα νέο κούρεμα

Did you know that Greeks love using wishes in everyday life?
They will offer good wishes at almost any opportunity;
at the start of a new month, a new week, or even when someone gets a new haircut!

Curious to learn more about everyday Greek wishes?
Download the FREE Omilo eBook + Audio on Greek Wishes

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A Greek summer song, of all times!

It is summer, and a perfect time to sing songs, in Greek of course 🙂

It became a tradition for some years at Omilo; singing Greek songs together with teacher Eva.
This summer one of the selected songs is

  • Τόσα Καλοκαίρια (“So Many Summers”)

  • Performer: Δάκης 

  • Composer: Μίμης Πλέσσας

  • Lyricist: Λευτέρης Παπαδόπουλος

    The song was created around 1967 and featured in the Greek musical‑film «Γοργόνες και Μάγκες» (Mermaids and Lads), directed by Γιάννης Δαλιανίδης.
    Though Δάκης’s voice is heard, he did not appear onscreen. A dancer and actress duo portrayed the scene, making it Greece’s first unofficial music video clip!

    A video clip created without all the technology existing now 🙂

    The song speaks from the perspective of someone who has finally found love, after many years of waiting, loneliness, and missed chances.
    The narrator remembers all the summers spent without love, waiting for someone special.
    Now that the beloved has arrived, everything changes; the heart is open again, and happiness returns.

    Scroll down to read the Greek lyrics as well as English translation

    Here is the link for the videoclip on YouTube
    https://youtu.be/HRsflfZLdYI?si=LScuTKasJL4GHl-Y

     

     

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Zonaradikos – A Greek Traditional Dance From Thrace

The Zonaradikos is a traditional Greek dance from the region of Thrace in northeastern Greece,  and it’s always a favorite among our Omilo students!

During our intensive summer courses on the Greek islands, the Greek dance lesson is a highlight of the afternoon activities. Whether you’re eager to join in and learn the steps yourself, or prefer to relax with a glass of wine while watching your fellow students dance to lively Greek music, it’s always an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Click here to read the article in Greek

It’s no secret that Greeks love to dance, and every region of Greece has its own unique style of traditional dances.

Island dances are typically joyful and rhythmic, often reflecting the gentle flow of the sea.
In contrast, Cretan dances are known for their speed and complexity,
while dances from the mountainous mainland tend to be slower and more grounded, with a heavier feel.

One particularly distinctive category comes from Thrace, in northeastern Greece.
A great example is the Zonaradikos ; a lively and much-loved dance that continues to bring people together, both in villages and on the dance floor during our Omilo programs.

The origin of the Zonaradikos

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A Greek Movie About Eftihia Papagianopoulou – The Greek Female Lyricist

If you’re learning Greek and love Greek music, the film Eftihia is a must-see! This moving biopic offers a unique opportunity to discover the life and legacy of one of Greece’s most influential female lyricists, Eftihia Papagiannopoulou. Watching this film is not only a great way to enjoy Greek cinema but also to deepen your understanding of Greek culture and enrich your vocabulary.

Click here to read the article in Greek

Who Was Eftihia Papagiannopoulou?

Eftihia Papagiannopoulou (1893–1972) was one of the most important female figures in the Greek music scene. She wrote lyrics for hundreds of laika and rebetika songs, many of which remain popular today and are still performed in tavernas, concerts, and festivals all over Greece.

She was born in Aydin, near Smyrna (modern-day Izmir) in Asia Minor, and fled to Greece after the destruction of Smyrna in 1922. Arriving in Athens with her two daughters, she would eventually become a beloved, though often underrecognized, figure in Greek music history.

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Greek Vocabulary With A Song By Rena Morfi

Learning Greek vocabulary through music is not only useful,  it’s also a lot of fun!
Below, you can enjoy a beautiful and popular Greek song by Rena Morfi, while reading along with the lyrics.

So turn up the volume, sing along (even if it’s just the chorus!), and let your Greek improve.
One song at a time!

Click here to read the article in Greek

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Mariza Rizou and her Greek Summer Melodies

Mariza Rizou’s  Greek summer melodies, blend together nostalgic retro vibes and elements from jazz, swing, folk, pop and Latin music. A beautiful and ideal mix, to enjoy in a holiday setting.

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Greek Song by Machairitsas, and Greek Vocabulary

A Greek song by Machairitsas is also ideal to learn Greek vocabulary.
Let’s enjoy beautiful Greek music,  while improving your Greek.
The song  “What do I ask for?” “Τι ζητάω;”, is a very known song, every Greek can sing along..
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A Greek Christmas Carol, to sing along

What about listening  to a Greek Christmas carol, and/or sing along?
On December 24th, if you are in Greece, do not be surprised when children ring your doorbell early in the morning!

Τhe children go from house to house, singing about the birth of Jesus Christ, while holding their small metal triangles.
Open them the door; it is believed to bring good luck into your home. And do not forget to give them some coins!

Θα θέλατε να ακούσετε τα ελληνικά χριστουγεννιάτικα κάλαντα ή να τα τραγουδήσετε κι εσείς μαζί;
Στις 24 Δεκεμβρίου, αν είστε στην Ελλάδα, μην ξαφνιαστείτε όταν νωρίς το πρωί τα παιδιά χτυπήσουν το κουδούνι της πόρτας σας!
Τα παιδιά πηγαίνουν από σπίτι σε σπίτι και τραγουδάνε για τη γέννηση του Ιησού Χριστού, κρατώντας τα μικρά μεταλλικά τους τρίγωνα.
Ανοίξτε τους την πόρτα. Θεωρείται πως φέρνουν τύχη στο σπίτι. Και μην ξεχάσετε να τους δώσετε μερικά κέρματα! 

If you are not in Greece, but you would like to hear it,  then watch the video below.
That way,  you can listen to it as many times as you want 🙂
But before you sing along,  let’s do a small Greek listening exercise first!
Listen to the song on the video, and fill out the missing words in the exercise, which you can find under the video!

H δασκάλα η Εύα, θα τραγουδήσει για εσάς ώστε να μπορέσετε να ακούσετε τα κάλαντα όσες φορές θέλετε!  

Μπορείτε να τραγουδήσετε μαζί με την Εύα αλλά ας κάνουμε μία μικρή ακουστική άσκηση πρώτα! 
Ακούστε το τραγούδι στο βίντεο και συμπληρώστε τις λέξεις που λείπουν στην άσκηση που βρίσκεται κάτω από το βίντεο!

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Let’s watch a Greek Movie – Christmas Tango

Let’s watch a  Greek Movie; Christmas Tango! It looks like the ideal movie to watch around Christmas!   Here we’re presenting you a Greek drama film, Christmas Tango (in Greek: Το Τανγκό των Χριστουγέννων), which was directed by Nikos Koutelidakis and based on a novel by Yannis Xanthoulis. It is a story about love, loss and vulnerability.

Click here to read the article in Greek

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