Musical tradition

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Deep-rooted in antiquity

Kos has a rich musical tradition dating back to antiquity. All the cultures and civilisations passing through the island over the centuries have influenced and enhanced the musical tradition of Kos with distinct elements. In Hellenistic times, Kos produced up to 20 artists alone (singers, guitar players, flutists and harpists), which is nearly half of the total coming from the Dodecanese region. During the Byzantine era, religious music had a great influence on the musical tradition of the islands.

The musical tradition of the Dodecanese has been formed combining eastern and western influences, thus creating a rich and diverse musical tradition. The Franks (western Europeans) who occupied the Aegean after the Crusades brought new musical and poetic forms with them, like the rhyme, and new musical instruments such as the violin. During the Ottoman era the soulful so-called "aman" songs were introduced to the islands. The traditional musical instruments used up until today at weddings, fairs and other cultural events and celebrations are the violin, the lute, and the lire. Some other handcrafted instruments gave impressive sounds. For example, shepherds used to make the so-called tsabouna (a kind of bagpipe) and pinauli (flute made from reeds and oleander) themselves and played it when grazing their sheep.

The lady of the Aegean

Life & legacy of Anna Karabesini

Anna Sarri -Karabesini was one of the greatest singers of folk songs in Greece. She was born in Antimachia village of Kos on June 12, 1923. She grew up with her five sisters, under struggling conditions, but with lots of love and singing. Anna Karabesini was often referred to as «the thirteenth of the twelve islands», as Kos belongs to the Dodecanese - i.e. twelve islands in Greek. She revealed her talented voice from a very young age and with her younger sister, Eftihia Sarri, they sang alongside for years interpreting folk songs and contributing significantly to the promotion of the Dodecanesian tradition. Gifted with a charismatic voice and with her parents as her first teachers, she grew up to love singing and completely devoted herself to it, with passion and love. Local violinists and lute played songs and Anna, just a young kid back then, accompanied them with her soft voice.

The priceless tradition the «Muse of the Aegean» left us with is impossible to calculate. She kept so many old records and songs alive that would have otherwise been lost for good. She wrote lyrics and music for over 150 songs. «My whole life, I made it a song», she used to laugh. In 2001 Eftihia Sarri passed away and Anna lost, apart from a loving sister, her singing match. What she never lost though, is her passion for singing and dancing; for life itself! Inexhaustible and limitless, she continued to make short-cut rhymes and talked with an enviable way for her greatest love: folk songs.

During her last years, Anna Sarri - Karampisini lived alone in Kos Island, with all the discs she released keeping her company. She used to sing and make rhymes to everyone who visited her. «Anna of the sea», with modesty and humility, honoured folk tradition until the very end. She left us on September 7, 2018 in her beloved Kos. And she managed the impossible. She found what she loved, defined her life around it and served her hometown, leaving behind a significant and uncountable cultural heritage. She managed to live forever.

Just like the «Lady of Ro» held up the Greek flag in the years of occupation, the irreplaceable Anna Sarri - Karabesini held up the flag of the Aegean folk music tradition, until the age of 95. Like a true patriot, she left a great legacy for the next generations to come, such that can never be forgotten. May the light and endless optimism of her voice always be with us.

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