The Pontian Society of Sydney “Panagia Soumela” hosted the first of a series of workshops on Tuesday night with acclaimed musicians and tutors Theodoras Kotidis and Kostas Zois.
The workshop presented an introduction to Pontian music with a huge emphasis on the two main instruments synonymous with Pontic music, the Lira “Kemetze” and Drum “Dauli.”
President of Panagia Soumela Hellena Flame opened the workshop with a heartfelt welcome to both artists and the 50 or so participants.
“It is an honour to have you both in our Pontian home and we thank you for your tireless efforts in passing on your knowledge of our rich culture to the next generations,” she said.
Continuing her speech, Hellena also thanked visiting Presidents Esta Pashalidis Chilas, President of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia, Maria Anthony from Pontoxeniteas NSW and Nick Chrisostomidis from Wollongong Diogenes.
The workshop covered a brief history, beginner tips, tuning and cultural etiquette to do with the instruments. Due to great enthusiasm during the Q&A the workshop expanded to cover a more in depth look at the structure of Pontian lyrics and the changing trends though out the last century up to the present.
“Every emerging musician or singer will chose his own journey or micro genre when it comes to producing or expressing Pontic music,” Mr Kotidis said.
“The audience will be the judge of what will be liked and to what level the changes from what our forefathers left us will be accepted. But it is imperative and compulsory for every beginner to stick within the parameters of tradition in their beginner years before they start to venture into new styles.”
The workshop touched upon etiquette as a vital part of every Pontian artist.
“When you step on stage holding our traditional instruments you no longer are George, Kosta or Yianni, you are an ambassador of Pontos. At that moment you have become a representative of a whole peoples and culture,” Mr Zois said.
“Small detail in your appearance shows respect to the instrument, our culture and most importantly the audience. Shorts and thongs are a strictly forbidden of my students.”
The night ended with drinks and light snacks prepared by the wonderful committee of Panagia Soumela.
This event was one of a series of workshops planned for Sydney and Melbourne. It is a part of the 2024 SYNAPANTEMA Pontian festival under the auspice of The Federation of Pontian Associations Australia and concludes on Sunday 10th of March with a final workshop in the Pontian House of Pontoxeniteas in Undercliff.
