A wonderful evening was had a few nights ago soaking in the rap and poetry of Greek Australian performer Luka Lesson.
The evening was also complemented by the ethereal serenading lyrics and music of Greek musician Thanasis Kleopas playing the Ancient Lyra.
The almost one hour programme consisted of a taste of both performers; individually and in duet, comprising music as well as both Greek and English song and verse.
This marvellous and intimate event was hosted by Australian Ambassador to Greece Alison Duncan at the Australian Embassy’s residence in the leafy Athenian suburb of Filothei.
A pleasant poolside reception was the perfect end note, rounding off this warm, balmy night where we all got the chance to mingle and exchange Australian and Greek experiences including “wows” on the artistry we had been so privileged to witness.
My invitation stated: “Words will be woven between the ancient and modern, the mythological and the vulnerable, the homeland and the diaspora.” And this was certainly the case. Luka’s words – his slam rapped poetry – proved a sensual treat. The physical expression of his performance lending a trance-like aura to both the audience and performers, induced by his profound verse and its delivery.
So intense were both performers renditions, that at times I felt them as channels of a divine, timeless dimension. But that comes with good art.
I recall a few stanzas from Luka’s poem ‘Antidote’ haunting my mind long after the night ended:
“…And they say – Live by the sword, die by the sword
but the word sword
has the word word in it
because our words can be the antidote…”
And from his other poem, ‘Athena’: “…she loomed large as my own pain … and motioned me … as I grasped the feather and hardly quivered as I ripped the quill from her chest…’Take it’ she said, and as I did I saw the millions of ships that she had witnessed, thick with my fellow countrymen, soldiers and pirates..”
Luka thanked me when I mentioned to him that his verse rapping style reminded me of a cross between Nick Cave and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. But now, in hindsight, I realise it was more like timeless Siren invocational – to feel… life, and to be led to ponder beyond this realm. Magical stuff!
