WASHINGTON, DC – The Hellenic Society Prometheas in cooperation with AHEPA Chapter 31 presents ‘Cyprus ’74 – Songs of Anger and Pain –  Music by Dimitris Papapostolou,’ on the occasion of the 50th dark anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The songs will be performed by the Spyros Koliavasilis Music Ensemble and vocalist Maria Anastasi-Paschalidis on Saturday, October 5, 6 PM, at the Frosene Hall of the Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2815 36th Street NW in Washington, DC. Reception to follow.

Magdalene Kantartzi shared “a few words about the history behind these songs: My late brother Dimitris Papapostolou, who in 1974 was in DC for graduate studies, deeply touched by the Cyprus tragedy, put to music poems written by fellow students. Τhe songs were recorded on an LP record, the proceeds from the sales of which were donated to the Cyprus relief fund for the Cypriot refugees. The then-Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States Nikos Dimitriou, honored him at a reception at the Embassy for his love for Cyprus and his generosity.”

“Dimitris Papapostolou later founded and directed the much-awarded  Experimental Choir of Athens,” Kantartzi said. “He performed concerts in Europe and the U.S., which received rave reviews. In the U.S., he performed at the Lisner Auditorium, the Kennedy Center, and the Concert Hall of Chicago. In Cyprus, he held many performances among which in Nicosia and Limassol, in collaboration with the choir and orchestra of the University of Nis, Serbia, and Cyprus vocal ensembles. He left behind a rich, high-level musical legacy.”

The event is sponsored by the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations and the Pancyprians of Metropolitan Washington.

Tickets are $30, available online: https://shorturl.at/Cv81C.