On-line: Hymn to Liberty

Greece was two years into its heroic struggle for independence from Ottoman rule when Zakynthos-born poet Dionysios Solomos (a poetic name if ever there was!) penned his 158 stanza hymn to fuel the noble cause of his fellow countrymen. 

This March 25, Greek Independence Day, Greeks and lovers of Hellenic culture from all over the world can come together in an uplifting celebration of the 200-year anniversary of Greece’s fight for freedom – when the Megaron Athens Concert Hall streams a free live concert, set to Solomos’ national anthem, “Hymn to Liberty”.

Athens is staging many events over the coming days and months to mark the bicentenary of this defining event of Modern Greek History - and you can check them all out via our Greece 2021 filter. But with lockdown restrictions still sadly upon us, this rare musical performance offers one of the most rousing ways to get into the spirit of things. 

In the first ever airing of this polyphonic version, the Meizon male vocal ensemble will perform the score composed by Nikolaos Matzaros to piano accompaniment. Meanwhile, iconic and patriotic paintings by 19th century Greek artists, capturing the struggle for national regeneration, will also be used to enrich the video of the broadcast (courtesy of the National Gallery of Greece).

Non-Greek speakers will be able to follow the action through English sub-titles. The performance will be available for streaming on the Megaron website, their youtube channel and facebook page until the 25 April and then on demand until the end of 2021.