Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Only a few left. Μόνον λίγες μείνανε.

This kind of organ, was at older times,  a common sight around the neighborhoods of Athens and other cities. In our days they have also been hit by the crisis and the i-pods. The owner/player was pushing it around on its wheels, while turning the handle, which was turning a metal, perforated wheel inside and producing the music This one I saw at the port of Chios when I was there. And there might be a few others, still in operation elsewhere. At the end of the post you can listen to a song about the "romvia" or "laterna", sang by Grigoris Bithikotsis and music by Mikis Theodorakis.
Ποιός θυμάται την λατέρνα; Πόσες έχουνε μείνει πια να κυκλοφορούν και να λειτουργούν. Τις έχει χτυπήσει και αυτές η κρίση. Και τα i-pods. Αυτή πάντως την είδα ένα βράδυ στο λιμάνι της Χίου, δίπλα στα ταβερνάκια και συγκινήθηκα με τη γλυκειά μελωδία της. Ακούστε και λίγο τον Μπιθικώτση να την εκθειάζει με στίχους του ανεπανάληπτου Μπόστ και μουσική του Μίκη Θεοδωράκη.

13 comments:

  1. Delightful post as always, Costas! What a colorful and delightful part of your world! I love the music video! Hope you've had a lovely evening!

    Sylvia

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  2. Θάθελα πάντα να υπάρχουν!!!!
    Όταν τις συναντώ μ΄αρέσει να τις ακούω και να τις βλέπω!!!!
    Αξίζει πιστεύω να υπάρχουν!!!

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  3. A colourful organ. It is a pity all these are disappearing. Thanks for the music, I liked it.

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  4. Την λατρευω αυτη την εικονα!

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  5. Εικόνες απ΄το παρελθόν
    εικόνες της ζωής μας
    είναι γωνιές πανέμορφες
    στ΄αλήθεια της ψυχής μας.

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  6. We called them an organ grinder,sometimes seen with a monkey to gather coins.

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  7. In Denmark there are only few "active" left, and they play only at places where they are hired!
    I think the married couple are family to the owner; he looks so proud on the photo ;-)

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  8. Hello Costas,
    Beautiful old organ. Thanks for sharing:)

    Have a nice evening:)

    Berit.

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  9. We have a yearly festival of these "organs" in nearby Marietta Ohio. This is a great post.

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  10. I always feel so sorry when I see some lovely things becoming obsolete in this ever-changing tech world! What a cute organ! I couldn't listen to the song, darn computer. I'll try again later...

    Kisses from Nydia.

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