Honouring Stathis Koukoularis | Colleagues, Students, Friends and Family Celebrate the Legacy of Stathis Koukoularis

The Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments “Fivos Anoyanakis” – Centre for Ethnomusicology, as part of its two-year series of events “THE MUSICIANS. Nodes of Cohesion, Links of Continuity” (2026–2027), presents a special tribute to Stathis Koukoularis, one of the foremost violinists of the Greek traditional music scene, celebrating his remarkable artistic journey and his enduring contribution to the living musical heritage of the Aegean.

Born in Kinidaros on the island of Naxos, Stathis Koukoularis has devoted more than six decades to preserving and transmitting the musical traditions of his homeland. Through his distinctive violin playing, profound knowledge of the island repertoire, expressive musicianship and exceptional improvisational skill, he has inspired generations of musicians and has become a leading figure in the performance of Aegean traditional music.

The evening highlights Stathis Koukoularis not only as a master musician but also as a teacher, mentor and bearer of collective memory—a vital link in the continuity of Greece’s living musical heritage.

The tribute will include an introductory presentation by Professor of Ethnomusicology Lambros Liavas, followed by a concert featuring colleagues, students, friends and family members who have shared musical experiences with Stathis Koukoularis throughout his life.

Participating musicians

Giorgos Ventouris, Aris Verykokkos, Nikos Evvoiotis, Ioannis Elenis, Vangelis Karipis, Stelios Klouvatos, Polychronis Korres, Vangelis Koukoularis, Martha Mavroeidi, Spyros Balios, Ioannis Bafaloukos, Vasilis Bilis, Manolis Roufanis, Antonis Touloupis and Kostas Chouzouris.

Vocals

Lefteris Vazaios, Eirini Verykokkou, Katholiki Tharenou, Manolis Kondylis, Leta Korre, Eleni Legaki, Martha Mavroeidi, Lefteris Bafaloukos and Maria Skoula.

Artistic coordination: Martha Mavroeidi.

This event forms part of the Museum’s new initiative dedicated to the people behind the instruments, highlighting the musicians whose artistry, knowledge and lifelong commitment have kept Greece’s musical traditions alive while shaping the communities through which they continue to flourish today. As part of the series, the honoured musicians—or their families—are invited to donate one of their instruments to the Museum, contributing to the creation of a living archive of Greece’s musical heritage.

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.