VARIOUS ARTISTS - HAMEZANES ATHIVOLES

HAMEZANES ATHIVOLES

Ant. Fragkiadakis, G. Stavroulakis, K. Maridakis, P. Anwgiannakis, Manolis Kazamias, Kazamias Michalis, Manolis Papadakis, Galetakis, Kouvarakis, George PapadakiHamezi is one of the most beautiful villages in the province of Sitia. It is located at a distance of ten kilometers from Sitia and is built on the outskirts of the small mountain range Tripokhefala at an altitude of four hundred meters. Tradition, its history as well as the hospitality of its inhabitants make it distinct from the other villages in the area, displaying a different way of life and culture. This village is mentioned for the first time in official historical archives as Hamezi during the Venetian census of 1583. As far as its history is concerned, Hamezi is said to be the mansion of Vitsentzos Kornaros, creator of the Erotokritos project.
Its location, the view it offers, as well as its archaeological finds are a source of attraction for many foreign and locals. But what makes Hamezi stand out for decades is the deep relationship of its inhabitants with traditions and customs.
It is probably the only village in which they still become kandas, still there are genuine mantinadori, lyres and masters of the violin. Feasts, parties and canteens are very common in this corner of Crete. The love of the Chameses for their village is unique.
This very tradition, these songs and these mantinades, is trying to keep and transmit to the next generations the Chmeziou Cultural Club by publishing this musical anthology.
At a time when everyone is talking about globalization, the Khameses are making their own efforts to rescue these musical elements that have made the Cretans to excel through the centuries and always stand out.

Theocharidis Apostolos
BA (Hons), PGDip, MSc

Giannis Kazamias
He was born in 1913 in Chamezi of Sitia. Authentic and self-taught lyricist. The sweet sound of his donkey, with his horned cousins, grew up and devoured generations of genuine revelers, who owe him the joy of knowing, the elaborate and unique sweetness of his conch. That's his love for music and so much respect for God in this love of what he asked him to ask. She left music at 79 years of age.