Mes' tou Vosporou ta stena

MES TOU VOSPOROU TA STENA Sung by Mr Myron Doulis, singer and accordeonist of the Greek island of Hydra. Accompanied by Pavlos Melas and members of the Famous SOAS Rebetiko Band, Douskos Restaurant, Hydra, Saturday 18 October 2008. Music: Apostolos Kaldaras Lyrics: Pythagras Original footage: Chris Wootton Edited: Ed Emery [SOAS, London] Historically the Island of Hydra has been no great friend of the Turks. It was from here that the Greek fleet sailed out to defeat the Turkish navy in Greeces War of Independence (1821). And it was only a few years ago that three local residents threatened to beat one of our Greek musicians and dump him in the harbour because he was wearing a T-shirt with a Turkish flag, in solidarity with the Turkish musicians that we bring to the island each year as part of the activities of the Free University of Hydra. This year once again we had Turkish musicians with us, when we played a magical rebetiko concert at the Douskos restaurant in the centre of the port. As usual Mr Doulis, a blind accordeonist who plays regularly on the island, was sitting in the audience. At a certain point he indicated that he would like to sing a song. So he took his position with the band. The song he sang was Mes tou Vosporou ta stena. This was a precious moment for us. Chris Wootton caught it on camera, and we are happy to present it here for your enjoyment. The video quality is as good as we can get it in the circumstances. From a historical point of view, this ...