From Spanish flamenco guitar to Byzantine chant

 

 

 Lined with shelves of foreign language books and films, whilst doubling as a performance space by night, this is no ordinary bookshop. "It's sort of like a little cultural centre," says Eleni Elefterias, co-owner of The Bilingual Bookshop in Dulwich Hill.

Holding regular events, ranging from monthly book club meetings to film screenings, orchestral performances and even Greek lessons for the little ones - this is a sanctuary for anyone open and willing to venture through.
As we speak there is an Australian woman sitting at a table drinking coffee and practising her Greek, while a man sits nestled in an armchair engrossed in a novel. It all seems rather wonderful.
With music events organised every month at the Vault Performance Space, the latest on the calendar East of Flamenco, will take the audience on a journey through music of the East.

Following an event at the venue last month entitled Twice A Stranger, based on the book by author Bruce Clark about the population exchange of 1922 between Greece and Turkey that expelled almost two million people from their homelands, there appeared to be intrigue and enthusiasm surrounding Eastern Mediterranean music. "A lot of people really liked that Eastern flavour," Ms Elefterias tells Neos Kosmos.
Husband and wife, Kiriaki and Dimitri Koubaroulis of music group Diaspora Ensemble, return to the venue once again to lend their talents, along with oud player Brent Keogh, flamenco guitarist Paul Hofstetter, and fellow musicians Joe Ayad, Marina Thiveos and Eleni herself singing a few tunes.
"We thought we'd do an East of Flamenco - so starting from Spanish music going eastward," says Ms Elefterias.

Considering Greece's geographical location and its 400 year long history under Ottoman rule, the conflicting question often arises as to whether Greece itself, its customs and culture are eastern or western.
Whilst pursuing her studies in western classical music at the University of New South Wales, Ms Koubaroulis, percussionist and co-founder of the non profit organisation Arts Diaspora, found herself drawn to music of her own culture, namely Byzantine chant of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Greek folk music. "Some people have very clear views of where Greece sits, some people say 'oh we're definitely west', some people say 'oh we're definitely east'," she observes. "But for me we're kind of a bit in the middle - we have influences from all over."

With a formal education in music and ethnomusicology, organiser Ms Elefterias notes that there are many similarities between songs of Greece, Spain, Turkey, the Middle East and other neighbouring Balkan countries. "A lot of those musics cross over," she says. "It's very difficult to trace an origin."
On the night, Sydney based duo, Mr Hofstetter, having learnt flamenco from the likes of Spaniard Diegito del Gastor, along with Keogh on the oud, a pear shaped instrument often heard in Arabic, Turkish and Greek music - will set out to explore the musical synergies between their respective instruments, dating back to the Al Andalus period of southern Spain following the Muslim Conquest.

With a boîte style setting, round tables are set up with food, coffee and wine available for purchase on the night - those attending are made to feel right at home. Attracting Greeks and non-Greeks alike, ranging from their early 20s into their late 70s, this space does not discriminate, offering something alternative.
Taking inspiration from the Bulgarian documentary, Adela Peeva's Whose Is This Song?, the event looks to be a celebration of the similarities in music and culture, rather than focusing on the differences and the claiming of heritage. "It's something that Greeks are reluctant to accept - influence from other countries," says Ms Elefterias. "And it does happen, it has happened... it continues to happen."

East of Flamenco, Saturday 28 September 7.00 pm at The Vault Performance Space, 837 New Canterbury Road Dulwich Hill. Tickets $25/$20 concession. To book or for further information contact Eleni on (02) 9559 4424 or visit www.bilingualbookshop.com.au