Invitation to a Book Launch

at the Faculty of Classics in Cambridge on Monday 30 May 2022

 

SONGS OF THE GREEK UNDERWORLD: The Rebetika Tradition, incorporating

the SOAS Rebetiko Band Songbook

 

by Ilias Petropoulos

 

translated and introduced by Ed Emery

 

 

Publishing details:

 

ISBN 0906305195 / 9780906305195

 

RN Books, London, 2022

 

224 pages, with B/W and colour illustrations,

and lyrics of 120 songs, with chords and some musical notations

 

To order copies, e-mail [email protected]

:

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INTRODUCTION:

 

Ilias Petropoulos (who died in Paris in 2003) is a famous (some would say infamous) grand old man of Greek letters. In his lifetime he was a dynamo of learned and provocative articles and books on every aspect of Greek culture. More than 80 books and a thousand articles.

 

He wrote especially about the Rebetiko music of Greece. Notably his Rebetika traghoudhia (for which he was imprisoned under the 1967 Fascist junta), and the smaller Rebetologhia, of which our present publication is the translation and adaptation.

 

At this launch the book, and the life works of Petropoulos, will be introduced by Ed Emery (research associate at SOAS, London).

 

As well as being the translator of the book, Emery is also an ethno-musicologist. For the past 20 years he has been the organiser of the SOAS Rebetiko Band, a devoted team of music enthusiasts who play rebetiko, which has been called the urban blues of modern Greece. At this book launch the band musicians will play songs from the repertoire.

 

The book launch will be a unique opportunity to look into questions of Greek popular culture, Greek linguistics, and the musics of the Mediterranean.

 

DATE: Monday 30 May 2022

 

TIME: 4.00 to 5.00pm

 

VENUE: Meeting Room, Faculty of Classics, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge CB3 9DA

 

ADMISSION is open to the general public, and is free

 

Wine and soft drinks will be served.

 

Copies of the book will be on sale with a 20% discount.

 

 

Relevant website for the book:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Petropoulos

 

The book launch will be followed by an Evening Concert of Rebetiko Songs showcasing the recent repertoire of the band. (At 7.30pm, Venue awaiting confirmation.)

 

ALSO: Musicians and singers may be interested to know that we are in the process of setting up a Rebetiko Band in Cambridge. Open to all interested parties.

 

For booking and for further details, contact:

 

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Universitas adversitatis

Last updated: 30.iv.2022

 

 

 

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