Honouring Petro-Loukas Halkias, the “Patriarch” of the Clarinet

The Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments “Fivos Anoyanakis” – Centre for Ethnomusicology, as part of its two-year programme “THE MUSICIANS. Nodes of Cohesion, Links of Continuity” (2026–2027), presents a special tribute concert dedicated to the memory of the great clarinet virtuoso Petro-Loukas Halkias, an iconic figure of the Epirus musical tradition and one of the most influential performers of Greek traditional music.

Petro-Loukas Halkias left an indelible mark on the history of the Epirus clarinet tradition. With profound knowledge of the musical heritage of his homeland, exceptional expressive power and remarkable artistic sensitivity, he elevated the clarinet into an instrument of outstanding artistic expression. Throughout his long career, he carried the music of Epirus to new audiences in Greece and abroad, inspiring generations of musicians, students and lovers of traditional music. His artistry created a bridge between local tradition and contemporary musical creativity, making him one of the most respected ambassadors of Greece’s living musical heritage.

This tribute takes place one year after his passing and fulfils a shared vision developed by the musician himself and the Museum. Petro-Loukas Halkias had been invited to inaugurate the Museum’s new exhibition section dedicated to the people behind the musical instruments, by donating one of his historic clarinets to the permanent collection. Although his untimely death prevented this wish from being realised, the evening serves as a heartfelt tribute to his life and legacy, highlighting his enduring contribution to the safeguarding and transmission of Greece’s living musical heritage.

Musicologist Giorgos Kokkonis will speak about Petro-Loukas Halkias and his contribution to Greek traditional music, followed by a concert celebrating his musical legacy.

Performing musicians:

• Petros Papageorgiou
• Katerina Papamichali
• Giannis Plagiannakos
• Leonidas Potsis
• Nikos Halkias
• Petros Halkias

Special guest: actor Tasos Nousias.

Artistic direction: Thomas Konstantinou.

The event forms part of the European Heritage Days 2026, under the theme “Heritage at Risk – Revival, Resilience and Reflection”, highlighting the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and honouring the people who ensure its continuity across generations.

The programme “THE MUSICIANS. Nodes of Cohesion, Links of Continuity” explores the role of musicians as bearers of collective memory, creators of communities and essential links in the continuity of Greece’s living musical tradition. At the same time, it launches a new permanent exhibition dedicated to the people behind the instruments, inviting the honoured musicians—or, where appropriate, their families—to donate an instrument that accompanied their artistic journey, together with personal testimonies documenting their lives and musical paths.

Free admission. Advance registration is required by telephone (+30 210 325 4129, Monday–Friday, 09:00–15:00) or by obtaining a free admission voucher through the more.com platform. The event is supported by Bodossaki Lectures on Demand (BLOD), the digital lecture platform of the Bodossaki Foundation.