Twelve children’s groups from as many parts of Greece sang and danced. Epirus, Kalyvia of Attica, Crete, Karpathos, Olympus, Zefyri of Attica, from Nea Erythraea representing the Asia Minor tradition, Volakas of Drama, Skyros, Larissa, the “Argonauts-Komninoi” from Kallithea, Kozani and Evros.
Apart from the songs, the children revived onstage local customs such as “Perperouna”, the custom of Kledon, peddlers paraded the stage advertising their their wares, and children played traditional games like “a bee goes by”, “tsibi tsibi ton aito”, the Arvanitic counting-out game “re o ri zo re blim-blim” etc.
The stage was decorated with children’s drawings of the 7th Elementary School of Palaio Faliro, under the care and guidance of Anna Kanakis.
After the show, an impromptu celebration at the entrance of the Odeon followed.
Never has there been such a children’s festival. “A bee goes by” by Domna Samiou and twelve children’s groups from the country’s cultural associations didn’t just fill the Odeon of Herodes Atticus to the brim with thousands of jubilant people of all ages, it also have children a first class opportunity for a… late night out. The revelry outside the Odeon went on until 3.30 am on Monday, accompanied by a brass band from Kozani. (G.E.V. Eleftherotypia newspaper, 04.09.2001).
… In the mind and intuition of modern man, “tradition” is no longer self-perpetuating. It needs enhanced care and special guidance, until a new way is found. Domna Samiou, who sees in these children her own perpetuation, is here once more, looking not just at a past that inspires her, seeing and perhaps pointing the way once more.
(excerpt from the programme by Miranda Terzopoulou)
Watch the playlist of the concert on YOUTUBE
