Greek singer Haris Alexiou lauds Turkish-Greek empathy

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS

Haris Alexiou is considered from the most popular singers in Greece.

She first appeared in the music industry in 1970s and she has produced more than 30 personal albums.

Alexiou’s fascinating voice quickly made her well-known all over the world, and led her to the top of the Greek charts.

Alexiou’s reputation is not limited to Greece - she has sung with several foreign signers and has also cooperated several times with many established Turkish artists like singers and composers Zülfü Livaneli and Sezen Aksu.

Her songs have also been sung by Yeni Türkü, Erol Evgin, Müslüm Gürses, and Yonca Evcimik, famous bands and singers in Turkey.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Haris Alexiou discussed her strong relationship with Turkey and the deep empathy she has for the neighboring nation.  

She said: "Music connects all nations. but the connection between Greeks and Turks is deeper."

"We have both lived with each other and this has brought us closer." she explained.

  'Music unites people'

The common tastes and expressions which the two nations share are also expressed in the music of both countries - this is what connects us even more, Alexiou said.

"If politicians could do what we people do - we don’t ask anything from each other, we just want all to be well - then most of the political problems would be solved and politicians know that," said Alexiou.

 "It is not impossible that we, as people, live peacefully and at the same time have these political differences," she added.

The differences that exist may be there for the benefit of governments, she suggested, and there may be a reason why the problems are not solved.

"However, music cannot solve these issues. but what music can do is reunite people.  Younger generations that do not carry the burden of old history can make a difference to the situation," she added.

 'Warm embrace'

“We should insist on making this difference. It is possible that we, as people, can be united and love each other and not let politics divide us," she said.

"However, this is something that happens all over the world, and is not necessarily limited to Turks and Greeks," Alexiou said, adding: "These steps which are being taken by artists from both sides should continue. These actions will continue to bring us closer."

"I have visited mostly the western part of Turkey, where I felt this warm embrace. I cannot explain what made the Turkish people embrace me, it might be that my origin is in Izmir," Alexiou said.

A street in Izmir’s Gaziemir district was named after the famous Greek singer in May, 2010.

A moving ceremony was held in the presence of the singer and other famous artists where the name “Harris Aleksiou Friendship Street” was given to the street, known as "Harris Alexiou Dostluk Caddesi" in Turkish.

Haris Alexiou is scheduled to hold a concert in the Istanbul Congress Center on November 7.

www.aa.com.tr/en