Lets take a brake and come back
and travel to Istanbul so we
can meet a special young man from Kalamata
A very talented person
and a very charismatic soloist
Georgios Marinakis who is an Oud Virtuoso
and also plays the Bouzouki
who unites Turkish and Greek people together
through the sound of music
and is sending his own message
You can see him here playing an improvisation
with his Oud
soon on ALPHA Georgios Marinakis from Istanbul
Very sweet with a melody
and a wonderful applause
its our turn to applaud
and to say Good Morning to Mister Georgios Marinakis
Good Morning
from sunny Istanbul
and thank you for your invitation
You are very welcome
Please let me tell our audience that you a vey charismatic musician
an amazing Oud soloist
from Kalamata
who has made a grand achievement of winning over
not only Greeks but also  our neighbors
Also an amazing cantor as I have heard
and also a composer and luthier.
I think I would need an entire Tv show devoted to you
if I continued mentioning everything on your resume
So I'll stop here!
I have to say its seeing you with this sweet smile
that makes us smile
just seeing you from the camera!
That is truly beautiful!
It your love and nothing more!
In regards to everything you mentioned
in order for homogeneity to remain alive
we must create culture
spiritually and substantially
so that is why I
based on spiritual culture I play music and wright music
and based on this material that I create
I manufacture instruments
like ouds and bouzoukis and other string instruments
and strings for these instruments
You build culture by playing your Oud
How is it to collaborate with musicians from Turkey?
Also how does it feel when they applaud you?
I would think they are a difficult audience?
Music brings people together it doesn't separate them
In this way
When I say that they could be a difficult audience I mean
because Turks know of music very well
Anatolian music is one of
the most popular genres of music
and for a Greek to truly capture
his audience and to receive an applaud
must not be an easy thing
but you managed to make it happen
I dont know if I have managed it
but I try to do my best
I was born in Greece as you mentioned
my house is in Istanbul
I feel like home here
all Greeks feel like Istanbul is home
and other people
Umm... it is true that
music brings people together
and I think
that music and the arts
are more important than ever today
Mister Marinakis you live there for many years
between these two countries
and I think that you out of anyone else
must have a more spherical opinion
about what they feel
about Greeks
Please tell us what do they say
aside from the current tensions
with military and politics
that some people are trying to create
What are the people saying?
Yes ofcourse
If I did not mention people and point at faces
my answer would not give you a clear picture
of the situation at the moment
I will tell you about a group
that my friend Haris Rigas has
also an expat in Istanbul
who teaches
Ancient Greek
and Latin
who has a "Rebetiko" group
and for the past 3 years
"Tatavla Keyfi"
that I also take part in this group
and play
on Friday and Saturday
at a really nice Rebetadiko
What I have to say
is that the melodies that we play
sometimes
the locals sing
in Turkish
and suddenly Greeks from Turkey
start singing
in Romeika
in Greek
what I am trying to say
is that its the same thing
Which songs do you sing in Greek?
Most songs are traditional Greek songs
Which ones?
For example
at Galata
Umm.. actually
the song "Apo Kseno Topo"
the song
"Dimitroula mou"
and many other songs
that I cant remember now
We all sing together
we all sing the same melodies
Mr. Marinaki if I could
ask you to play something here
LIVE on "ALPHA Pantou"
something that comes from your heart
with everything that we are living through this year
for a person who is in Istanbul
and wants to express everything
that he is feeling about
all the things that we are encountering
Would you like to play something for us?
I would like to shere with you
and your audience
a song that I have composed
for the International French Radio
an istrumental piece
That plays in 800 radio stations all over the world
In 800 radio stations all over the world!
Impressive!
Lets play it on TV on ALPHA Pantou!
Again thank you for the invitation
We still havent finished we still have alot to talk about!
We will listen a
and continue
OK
Bravo to you!!!
Thank you!
Our beloved Mr. Marinakis
it is not a coincidence
that the Turkish Ministry of Culture
chose you to play
chose you to play
at the dinner
of Erdogan and the our former prime minister.
Please tell us
Please tell us how it feels to be up close
with the Turkish President?
It was really nice
Music brought two countries together
and the music I played was inspired by the people
for the people.
With regards to that
playing in front of two leaders
who each represented the people of their countries
was like playing in front of all the people they represent
the people of Turkey
and the people
of Greece.
It was a very unique moment
A conversation
and conversation in general
is the most important
and the strongest weapon
for all civilizations
and all people.
What did he say to you personally?
about your performance
about the way you play
about music?
We did not have alot of time
It was a really enjoyable time
they were both very kind
Mr. Tsipras and Mr. Erdogan
Will you say goodbuy to us with a melody?
Since we opened this conversation
lets close with a nice song
with a nice melody
Yes
Play us something different
Maybe something Greek!
OK
"Apo Kseno Topo"
"Esi Xristos Kai Esi Alla"
that unites people from both countries
I was not prepared for something like that
I am very sorry
Whatever you wish!
Something that comes out of your soul
I will play an Improvisation!
An improvisation
that brings out the colors of Istanbul!
Thanks again for your invitation!
George Marinakis improvisation is always the best
as we heard and listened to
Thank you for this wonderful music journey
Good Morning to us!
Good Morning from Istanbul!
At the heart of diplomacy music is the way to go!
Truly wonderful! Thank you!
Magical Georgios Marinakis!
