The patriarch of rembetiko song

A tribute to Markos Vamvakaris

Syra, the steps up to your upper quarter
and that Saint Sebastian of yours.

I came out of you, out of your heart
and put your name, Syros, on people’s lips.

June 2012. It’s been forty years since the death of the rembetika legend, Markos Vamvakaris (1905-1972). His immortal songs will fill the Herodeion intact, as poignant, magical and full of suffering as the life of the man who penned them. Songs which speak from and to the heart, and turn life’s trials and tribulations into medals worn with pride.