Leonidas Kassapides

The 1923 exchange of population was a forcefull way for the Greek refugees to preserve their memory of their experiences and art forms because deep inside they knew that they were never going to return back to their beloved Asia Minor. My grand parents Leonidas and Despina spoke mostly in Turkish at home and they always were nostalgic about their Greek community in their town of Koula in the middle of Turkey. Amongst the golden coin liras that they managed

The actual performance of Rembetika was a very powerful experience because it felt dangerous in way that reminds me when we had to do experiments in chemistry class and didn't know the outcome. The performers were all very brave precise and fluid and seemed to understand the heavy soul of a Greek spirit that is resurected when three art forms meet in the black box theater on 9th and Mission. The Singing of Katerina connected my heart with my ancestors's