(1906–1981) | Christos Bayraktaris (real surname Simeoforidis) was born in Kromni of Pontos. Following the turmoil and the refugee displacement, he arrived in Greece in 1922 as a teenager, settling first in Giannitsa and later in Athens.
From a very young age he came into contact with the Pontic lyra; studying under the prominent Kromni lyra-player Dimos Konstantas, he quickly gained recognition as one of the most authentic interpreters of Pontic folk song.
With the establishment of Greek radio in 1938, he came into contact with Simon Karas, with whom he collaborated closely from 1945 to 1973 on Pontic radio broadcasts. Over the course of his career, he recorded numerous songs —both as a soloist and as an accompanist— on 45 rpm discs, and later participated in various collections of traditional music.
His contribution to Pontic music and cultural heritage was continuous and significant. Through his lyra playing and singing, he helped sustain and revitalize Pontic folk song at a time when the memory of the Pontos was at risk of fading.
He passed away in Athens in 1981.
Nikos Stefanidis, Domna Samiou, Antonis Spanos, Fotis Tsilipanos, Thalia Spanou and Christos Bayraktaris
Domna Samiou and Christos Bayraktaris
φωτ. Christopher Davies
