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BLISS_Kos island

The Castle of the Knights – or Castle of “Nerantzia”. Let the melodies of Kos guide you as we embark on this journey through time,
where every note is a testament to the enduring spirit of a land where music has always been more than just sound – it’s a way of life.

Musical echoes:

Tunes of Kos through the ages

Join us on a journey through the musical tapestry of Kos, where
the strains of ancient tunes intertwine with the rhythms of modernity.

TEXT BY MARIA P. KANTANI

I n the town of Kos, right at the entrance of the wild animals of nature, has been found to star and historical facts effectively helped to preserve
the port, stands the Castle of the Knights –
as the dominating figure in amazing mosaics –
in Kos a great, constantly growing, oral culture
or Castle of “Nerantzia”. At the end of the
deep roots and rich remains, reaching back to
14th and the beginning of the 15th century, Kos the most impressive of which was found during (especially in music) until modern times, with
the excavations of German archaeologist Rudolf
was densely planted with bergamot (“nerantzi” Herzog (who was obliged to analyse and send late Byzantium.
in greek) and lemon trees – hence the name it in 1904 to the Museum of Constantinople at Authentic demotic music, the melody of the
given to this part of the knightly fortification. the request of the Turks). Even on Kos coins, countryside, is mainly vocal and soloistic,
Today, though, we are visiting this place to find we find the lyre, a symbol of music and poetry. unlike urban but similar to ecclesiastical music.
a dedicatory inscription, engraved on a greyish Recent research by the Institute of Mediterranean Instrumental music, usually performed by two
dark marble base, 0.98x0.38 in size, which reads Studies on the musicians of ancient Greece states instruments (violin and lute), was intended for
in translation: that inscriptions confirmed the names of 21 formal group entertainment (weddings, festivals,
“… Manasimachus, son of Pethanor, musicians of national fame from the island of and other special events). It was necessary for
who defeated the older children twice Kos. This was more than the musicians of other certain dances. On all other occasions, the
(competing) in singing with guitar accompaniment, larger islands, such as Cyprus, Crete, Lesbos, dominant element was no other than the human
dedicated the prize he won to the Muses.” Chios, Samos, and Rhodes. So, ancient Kos, as voice. Everyone sang everywhere, alone or
There is plenty of proof suggesting that the in other artistic fields, performed brilliantly in together, while working or travelling, in cafes
Koans (or “Cosians”, if you like) were more than its musical tradition. or evening gatherings (especially in winter),
passionate about music. In fact, we are talking From the epigraphic lists of the winners of the at every moment of their lives. This monodic
about a kind of artistic fascination that prevailed musical contests of the ‘Great Asclepion’, let us soloistic utterance is, in essence, the unadulterated
on the island since antiquity, especially among leap forward in time. Long foreign conquests (by municipal tradition.
young islanders. Apollo and the Muses were the Ottomans until 1912 and the Italians until The end of this historical reality would come
considered the patrons of schools and the fine 1943), the distance from the Greek mainland, in the crucial decade between the 1960s and
arts, which is why they were worshipped with and the proximity and constant communication 1970s. By then, Kos was receiving, along with
special splendour in this part of the Mediterranean. of Kos with Asia Minor (until the Asia Minor crowds of European visitors, western musical
The theatres and conservatories, which the Catastrophe of 1922) made for a unique mix of influences. The first discos made their appearance
archaeological excavation has brought to light, cultural (and, hence, musical) influences. on the island in the 80s. They were to become
also provide us with convincing evidence of Another element, which is of particular value legendary (until ‘96 Kos was considered one of
the performance of the Cosians in theatre and in this case, is the island’s closed agro-pastoral the best places in Europe for nightlife) and - not
music competitions. Orpheus, who with the character, with its productive wealth and self- coincidentally - the most famous of them all was SHUTTERSTOCK
sweet sounds of his lyre enchants and tames all sufficiency. The aforementioned geophysical named Apollo... •

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