The Association “Friends of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle” invites you to a concert commemorating Pavlos Melas and the Macedonian Struggle, organised in support of the Museum’s work.

An evening where music meets historical memory, featuring distinguished artists, musical ensembles and students.

The Association “Friends of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle” invites you to a concert commemorating Pavlos Melas and the Macedonian Struggle, organised in support of the Museum’s work.

Wednesday, 21 October 2026

Starting time: 18:30

Venue: Ceremony Hall, University of Macedonia

Programme

Songs by Greek Composers

• Nikos Astrinidis: “As It Were with My Lyre” (Ας ήταν με τη λύρα μου) — Glykeria Roilidi, and “Playful Little Boats” (Παιχνιδιάρικες βαρκούλες) — Eleni Manta, from the song cycle “Greek Nights – Nuits Grecques”.
• Loris Margaritis: “The Doe” (Η Λαφίνα), from the cycle “Greek Songs” — Eleni Manta.
• Mikis Theodorakis: “By the Light of the Star” (Με το λύχνο του άστρου) — Eleni Manta and Glykeria Roilidi, and “Blood of Love” (Της αγάπης αίματα) — Glykeria Roilidi, from “Axion Esti”, based on the poetry of Odysseas Elytis.

Piano: Anastasios Argyrou.

Lecture on the Macedonian Struggle

Dr Stavroula Mavrogeni, Vice-Rector for Personnel, Student Welfare, Lifelong Learning and Culture at the University of Macedonia and Director of the Centre for Research and Documentation of Macedonian History (KEMIT) at IMMA, will deliver a lecture on the Macedonian Struggle.

“Cantus Arte” Women’s Vocal Ensemble of the Macedonian Centre of Contemporary Art

• “Immortality” (Αθανασία) — Manos Hadjidakis, arrangement by Iraklis Panagopoulos.
• “La vita è bella” — Nicola Piovani, arrangement by Laura Petropoulou.
• “Beautiful and Strange Homeland” (Όμορφη και παράξενη πατρίδα) — Dimitris Lagios, arrangement by Iraklis Panagopoulos.

Fourth-Grade Students’ Choir of the Arsakeio Primary School of Thessaloniki

• “What I Played in Lavrio” (Τι έπαιξα στο Λαύριο) — Dionysis Savvopoulos.
• “I’m Not Afraid of You” (Δε σε φοβάμαι) — Giorgos Papadopoulos.
• “Alexander’s Mother” (Η μάνα του Αλέξανδρου) — Giannis Markopoulos.
• “The Sea Clover” (Το θαλασσινό τριφύλλι) — Linos Kokotos.

Joint performance by both choirs:

• “You Will Come Like Lightning” (Θα ’ρθεις σαν αστραπή) — Stamatis Spanoudakis.
• “Famous Macedonia” (Μακεδονία ξακουστή) — traditional song.

Piano accompaniment: Giannis Damianidis.

Choir conductor: Iraklis Panagopoulos.

Musical-Theatrical Performance

“Emilios Riadis’ ‘Song of the Odalisque’: A Musical Allegory Expressing the Longing for Freedom in Macedonia”

Performed by an ensemble from the Music School of Thessaloniki:

• Georgia Karatza — vocals
• Anna Bozinoudi — oud
• Dimitrios Vasileiou — traditional percussion
• Theodoros Eseridis — recitation

Research and script: Xenia Theodoridou, pianist, PhD in Musicology and teacher at the Music School of Thessaloniki.

Artistic supervision:

• Xenia Theodoridou.
• Marina Liontou-Mohamed, PhD in Artistic Research, teacher at the Music School of Komotini — oud.
• Alexandros Vogiatzis, teacher at the Music School of Thessaloniki — oud.
• Stefanos Efraimidis, teacher at the Music School of Thessaloniki — traditional percussion.

Musical Programme

• J. Massenet: “Élégie”, Op. 10, No. 5.
• Emilios Riadis: “The Shadow’s Bride” (Του Ίσκιου η αρραβωνιαστικιά), from “Five Macedonian Songs”.

Performers: Ilektra Manousi, mezzo-soprano; Alexandra-Martreza Biblaki, cello; Xenia Theodoridou, piano.

Invitations are available at the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and from members of the Association’s Board of Directors.

We look forward to sharing an evening of music and remembrance with you, while supporting the work of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle!