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Plateia or platia (πλατεία) is the Greek word for town square. Most Greek and Cypriot cities have several town squares which are a point of reference in travelling and guiding. In traditional societies like villages and provincial communities, plateies are the central places for feasts, celebrations, events and meetings.

[edit] Most notable squares/plateies (ordered by place)

Cyprus[link]

• Eleftheria Square - Nicosia
• Faneromeni Square - Nicosia
• Solomou Square - Nicosia
• Eleftheria Square - Larnaca
• Troodos Square - Troodos mountains; used as a point of reference for meteorological, (time) distance and altitude purposes.

Greece[link]

Kotzia Square, Athens

Omonia Square, Athens

Syntagma Square, Athens

Aristotelous Square, Thessaloniki

• Athens:
  • Amerikis Square - Patissia
  • Eleftherias Square
  • Exarcheion Square - Exarcheia
  • Iroon Square - Psiri
  • Karaiskaki Square - Metaxourgeio
  • Klauthmonos Square
  • Koliatsou Square
  • Kolonaki Square - Kolonaki
  • Kotzia Square (by the city hall of Athens)
  • Koumoundourou Square
  • Kypselis Square - Kypseli, Athens
  • Lysikratous Square - Plaka
  • Mavili Square
  • Mitropoleos Square (by the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens)
  • Monastiraki Square
  • Omonoia Square (Plateia Omonoias, Concord Square)
  • Pagratiou Square - Pagrati
  • Syntagma Square (Constitution Square, Greek: Plateia Syntagmatos)
  • Viktoria Square
• Suburban Athens:
  • Agia Paraskevi Square - Agia Paraskevi
  • Iroon Square - Ano Liosia
  • Agia Triada Square - Argyroupoli
  • Chalandriou Square - Chalandri
  • Dourou Square - Chalandri
  • Karaiskaki Square - Ilioupoli
  • Davaki Square Plateia Davaki - Kallithea, SW of Athens
  • Plateia Othonos - Neo Irakleio
  • Aristotelous Square, Athens - Thrakomakedones
  • Iroon Square (Plateia Iroon) - Vrilissia
• Pavlou Mela Square Plateia Pavlou Mela - Axioupoli
• Central Square Kentriki Plateia - Didymoteicho
• Egon Square - Edessa
• Eleftherias Square - Feres
• Central Square Kentriki Plateia - Filiatra
• Central Square Kentriki Plateia - Fyli
• Agia Triada Square - Glyka Nera
• Marathonas Square - Grammatiko
• Bakogiannis Square - Heraklia
• Daskalogiannis Square Plateia Daskalogianni (named after Daskalogiannis) - Heraklio
• Elefterias Square - Plateia Elefterias - Katerini
• Agoras Square (meaning Market Square) Plateia Agoras - Kilkis
• Vizyinou Square - Komotini
• Nikis Square - Plateia Nikis - Kozani
• Lassani Square - Plateia Lassani - Kozani
• Agiou Dimitriou Square - Lechaina
• Christos Elkomenos Square - Monemvasia
• Sapphous Square - Mytilene
• Plateia Syntagmatos and Trion Navarchon Square - Nafplio
• Patras:
  • Agia Sofia Square (in the Agia Sofia neighbourhood)
  • Georgiou I Square (Dimokratias)
  • Marouda Square - a square featuring the statue of Konstantinos Giannias
  • Olga Square Plateia Olgas(Ethnikis Antistasis)
  • Pyrosvesteio Square (in the Pyrosvesteio neighborhood)
  • A square in the Agios Andreas neighborhood by Trion Navarcheion Street
  • A square in the Agios Dionyssios neighborhood
  • A square by Agiou Nikolaou Street near the Port of Patras
  • A square at the east end of Dimitri Gounari Street near the Drosia neighbourhood
  • A square in the Tsivdi neighborhood
  • A square on Akrotiriou Street by Damaskou
  • A square by Akrotiriou Street near Evvoias Street
  • A square on Georgiou Olympou Street
• Two squares on Lontou Street
  • Ypsila Alonia Square Plateia Ypsila Alonia - all in Patras
• Korai Square Plateia Korai - Piraeus
• Eleftherias Square - Rhodes
• Eleftherias Square - Servia
• Agias Mimas Square - Spetses
• Aristotelous Square - Thessaloniki
• Eleftherias Square - Thessaloniki
• Kennedy Square, and two others - Tripoli
• Riga Fereou Square - Volos

See also[link]

• List of city squares
• Market square
• Roman forum
• Town square

Notis Sfakianakis Νότης Σφακιανάκης
Notis Sfakianakis performing live.
Background information
Birth name	Panagiotis Sfakianakis
Born	(1959-11-02) 2 November 1959 (age 52) Herakleion, Crete, Greece
Origin	Athens, Greece
Genres	Laïka
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1985–present
Labels	Sony Greece, Minos EMI, Universal Greece
Website	www.NotisSfakianakis.gr

Panagiotis (Notis) Sfakianakis (Greek: Νότης Σφακιανάκης; born 2 November 1959) is a Greek singer of laika music, who is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time in Greece and Cyprus. Sfakianakis began his career in 1985, opening at nightclubs for other artists. He was discovered by Sony Greece and released his debut album Proti Fora (1991). For his second album Eisai Ena Pistoli (1992), he moved to Minos EMI.^[1] While his firsτ three releases were commercially successful, beginning in the mid-1990s, Sfakianakis released a series of multi-platinum albums that are among the best selling albums of all time in Greece — including Notioanatolitika Tou Kosmou (1994) with 120–150 thousand copies sold,^[1][2] 5o Vima (1996) which has been recognized as the best selling album of all time in Greece with 200 thousand copies sold,^[1][2][3] I Notes Einai 7psyhes with 132.5 thousand copies (265 thousand units) sold,^[2] the EPs Pro-Dia-Fimin (1997) with 100 thousand copies sold,^[2] and Around the World with 15 thousand copies shipped,^[1] XXX Enthimion (1999), which is the best selling live album of all time in Greece in terms of unit sales with 180 thousand copies (360 thousand units) sold,^[2] Polihroma Kai Entona (2000) that shipped 100 thousand copies and As Milisoun Ta Tragoudia (2002) which faired similarly.^[3] His signature song "O Aetos" is one of the most popular songs in Greek music history.^[1] Sfakianakis was the best selling artist of the 1990s^[4] and stands as the best selling Greek artist of his generation.^[2] However, in the 2000s he faced a significant commercial decline.^[2] Me Agapi O,ti Kaneis (2004) and Ana...Genisis (2005) shipped 40 thousand copies each.^[3] Nihtes... Magikes (2007) and Mnimes (2008) sold 30 thousand copies each,^[2] while the EP Kinonia Ora 07:00 sold 15 thousand copies.^[2] He then embarked on the Matomeno Dakry album trilogy (2009–2011). He has sold over 5 million records in Greece alone and in addition to these he has sold over 900 thousand copies of his albums as newspaper covermounts.^[3] Sfakianakis is also known for his controversial image and outspoken manner and opinions.^[5]

Early life and career[link]

Notis Sfakianakis and his family moved to the island of Kos when he was seven. Notis became a disc jockey in his early 20s. He supported himself by working as an electrician, plumber, waiter, and labourer. In 1985 he formed a band and played in clubs in Kos. Due to the lack of success, the band broke apart after less than year of being formed. In 1986 Notis moved back to Crete to start his solo singing career.

Notis began opening for national acts like Poly Panou. He was discovered by Bourmas, the general manager of Sony in Greece. Bourmas signed Sfakianakis to the label, and Notis recorded his debut album Proti Fora (First Time) which made it into the Greek top ten. He is one of the most successful singers of his era in Greece.

Notis is on top of his game more than ever before. He knows how to change his music style to make his listeners want more. In his new live cd Nihtes... Magikes (Magical Nights) he once again displays his magical voice and again proves why he is one of the greatest performing talents in Greece. His ability to shift between traditional Greek music, such as the Zeimbekiko and Hasapiko, and more modern variations, is unmatched in the contemporary Greek music scene.

Of his early works, his most notable release was "Opa Opa" which was written by Giorgos Alkaios and later covered by Despina Vandi and Antique. In 1994 he released the album Notioanatolika Tou Kosmou (Southeast of the World), which included "O Aetos" (The Eagle). It is widely agreed that this album was the catalyst for his achievement of superstardom in the Greek-speaking world. He followed this with high profile tracks such as "Den Se Hreiazome" (I Don't Need You), "Soma Mou" (My Body), "Gyftissa Mera" (Gypsy Day), "Na Hareis" (Cherish) and "Oi Skies" (Shadows).

One of the more popular of his 21st century tracks is "Genethlia" (or "Gennethleia" as it was spelled when it featured on later albums and compilations). This song (the title of which translates as 'Birthday') was originally performed by Cretan lyra player and singer Stelios Mpikakis.

In November 2007 Sfakianakis released a new album, Mnimes (Memories). The songs which have become hits are "Ta Klemmena" (The Stolen), a grim reflection on the hardships faced by Greeks in Asia Minor, and "Par' Ta" (Take Them). In late 2009 and early 2010, after more than two years break, Sfakianakis released Kinonikon, the first part in a proposed trilogy of 7 song discs called Matomeno Dakry. The most popular songs from Kinonikon are "Den Ypohoro", "Akou file" and "Mpogias". The second part, Erotikon was released in early 2010 and includes several successful songs, in particular "Kleinw tis kourtines", "Esti Ine O Erotas" and "Akouse Me Kala". The third part, Horeutikon, focusing on upbeat dance songs which released in December 2010. The most popular songs are "Ellinas" and "Den Yparxeis".

Personal life[link]

Sfakianakis is married and has two children; the family lives in Athens. In 2003, Sfakianakis had an operation on his vocal cords, leading to a two-year gap between his last album, As Milisoun Ta Tragoudia, and his next one, Me Agapi O,ti Kaneis.

The year 2004, in which Sfakianakis released the aforementioned album, was marred by the death of his brother Giorgos due to cancer.^[3]

Recent Performances[link]

In November 2009, Sfakianakis had his first North American tour since 1999 when his popularity was soaring. It was on this tour that he performed in Atlantic City, NJ, Chicago, IL, and Canada. Many in the Greek community believe that this 10-year period between Sfakianakis' last US visit was due to politically oriented comments he made during a concert in his prior visit that caused some displeasure among Greek-Americans. However, during his 2009 concert in Atlantic City, Sfakianakis expressed his gratitude to the audience for their devotion and affection over the years and wished to give them a concert that "we will all remember after 10 years." Sfakianakis made good on his word, as the crowd gave him numerous ovations during the concert.

Controversies and opinion[link]

The rare interviews that Sfakianakis gives to the press are always memorable; he has a reputation for being very outspoken and uses the press to air his opinions on various matters. When he has appeared on live television, he has drawn praise and criticism in equal measure - on the one hand, some have praised his disarming honesty and applauded him for addressing hard-hitting issues. On the other hand, he has been heavily criticised for being argumentative and confrontational; some critics claim he lacks the capacity to be diplomatic.

In 2002 he released the song Provata (Sheep), which was in essence a barely concealed criticism of George W. Bush. Although the then-United States President was not mentioned by name, the lyrics make several implicit references to him - there are mentions of the resident of a white house. In the song he compares the peoples of the world to sheep, that must be wary of the threat of a wolf (implied to be Bush). Despite the implicit nature of the lyrics, Bush's image is used openly in the video accompanying the song. In an interview that was recorded for a special release of the album Ana...Genissis, Sfakianakis was more direct in his criticism of Bush:

"The word 'bush' in English is apt. A bush does not have the capacity to think - it is not an intelligent plant."

During a live performance in New York in 1999, Sfakianakis caused consternation amongst his audience after airing his critical opinions about America's foreign policies. As a result, certain members of the audience (composed mainly of Greek-Americans) attempted an unsuccessful boycott of Sfakianakis' concerts and productions.

In 2006, Sfakianakis released "To Systima" (The System), which was a scathing attack on the Greek music industry. In the song, Sfakianakis bemoaned the emergence of 'Tragoudistakia' - 'Little singers' - who are loosely defined in the lyrics as 'talentless kids with the same public image'. Since the release of the song Sfakianakis has also been critical of the emergence of TV talent shows such as The X-Factor, claiming that such shows trivialize the entire notion of music production. This stance has drawn criticism, with some claiming that Sfakianakis is afraid of facing competition. Fellow laiko singer Thanos Petrelis, who began his career after finishing third in the 2003 edition of Fame Story, gave his take on Sfakianakis' criticism:

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I have no problem with him doing so. He does make some valid points, and I agree with him to an extent. But [Sfakianakis] should acknowledge that these are exceptions - those who lack talent are in the minority. My mantra is that it is better to be envied than to be pitied."

In the late nineties, Sfakianakis appeared in a television interview, during which he argued that cannabis should be legalised in Greece. When asked if he had ever used the drug, Sfakianakis admitted that he had been habitually smoking cannabis for the last ten years.^[6]

He has also used his position to improve awareness of music piracy.

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• Proti Fora (1991) (First time)
• Eisai Ena Pistoli (1992) (You are a gun) (Platinum)
• Me To N Kai Me To S (1993) (With the N to the S) (Platinum)
• Notioanatolitika Tou Kosmou (1994) (Southeast of the world) (2× Platinum)^[1]
• 5o Vima (1996) (Fifth step) (4× Platinum)^[3]
• I Notes Einai 7psyhes (1998) (The notes are immortal) (5× Platinum)^[1][3]
• Polihroma Kai Entona (2000) (Multi-coloured and intense) (2× Platinum)^[3]
• As Milisoun Ta Tragoudia (2002) (Let the songs speak) (Platinum)^[3]
• Me Agapi O,ti Kaneis (2004) (With love whatever you do) (Platinum)
• Ana Gennisis (2005) (Rebirth) (2× Platinum)^[3]
• Mnimes (2007) (Memories) (Platinum)^[2]
• 21+4 Matomena Dakrya (2011) (Bloody teardrops) (4× Platinum)^[2]

Compilations

• Ta Zeïbekika Tou Noti Stis 9/8 (2002) (Notis' zeibekika at 9/8)
• 32 Megales Epitihies (2002) (31 big hits)
• Notis: Deka Me Tono (2003) (Notis: ten with an accent) (Gold)^[2]
• Evaisthites Notes (2004) (Sensitive notes)
• I Oraioteres Balantes (2005) (The most beautiful ballads)
• 14 Megala Tragoudia (2007) (14 big songs)
• The Collection: The EMI Years (2007)
• Opa Opa...Ta Horeftika (2010) (Opa Opa...the dance songs)
• 25 Hronia (2010) (25 years)

Video albums;

• 'Hits on DVD: Notis Sfakianakis — 1992–2001 (2004)
• Ta Horeftika Tou Noti (2005) (Notis' dance songs)

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• Official Site
• Biography at National Geographic

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (March 2011)

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2011)

Danilo Gentili
Born	(1979-09-27) September 27, 1979 (age 32) Santo André, SP, Brazil
Occupation	Advertiser, comedian, writer, cartoonist, reporter, TV show host and businessman.
Website
http://www.danilogentili.com/

Danilo Gentili Junior, better known as Danilo Gentili (Santo André, September 27, 1979) is an advertiser, comedian, writer, cartoonist, reporter, businessman and talk-show host. Has emerged in Brazil as part of the comedy TV show CQC Brasil, Rede Bandeirantes and recently has got his own talk-show, Agora é Tarde.^[1]

Biography[link]

Danilo Gentili graduated in 2003 in Social Communication - Advertising UniABC.^[2] In 2006 he founded a comedy show called Comedia ao Vivo,.^[3] That same year, he joined the Stand-Up Comedy group Clube da Comédia. Danilo is a cartoonist and caricaturist. Wrote a column on Mondays for one of the newspapers with more printed issues in Brazil, Metro. In 2008 he was awarded 'Paulistano of the Year' by Veja megazine and collaborated with the largest circulation magazine in Brazil, Mad. In 2010, alongside his comedy partner Rafinha Bastos and producer Ítalo Gusso, opened at Rua Augusta in São Paulo, the first American style comedy club in Brazil, called Comedians Comedy Club.^[4]

CQC[link]

After a few appearances on TV, he was invited to participate in comedy TV show called Custe o que Custar (CQC), on TV Bandeirantes. On his “audition”, which was actually his first interview, he left the singer Agnaldo Timóteo on an awkward situation with all his nonsense questions. That interview paid off. It was a big success. What was supposed to be a temporary job, turned out to be his great starting point on TV.

The show became famous due to “Inexperienced Reporter” (Reporter Inexperiente), a part of the show where Danilo pretended to be a newbie interviewing guests and asking them all kinds of nonsense questions. After a while he started doing more than that on the show. So he stood out on CQC interviewing people all over, especially about politics. At the Congress he became that reporter that every politician was afraid of. They tried to avoid being ridiculed when faced with his questions and being confronted with truths (which the viewers themselves would like to do so).

During the CQC Season of 2010/2011, Danilo Gentili was conducting segments on the show called “Protest Now” and "National Identity".

On the last episode of the 2011 season, Danilo said his goodbye to the show so he could dedicate 100% of himself to his new project, the talk show "Agora é Tarde". At the occasion, he was honored by the show, which he was a part of for 4 seasons.

Agora é Tarde[link]

Host and co-creator of the late-night show Agora é Tarde (It's too late)^[5].. This late-night talk show premiered June 2011 on TV Band and got high ratings and great reviews. The show has Ultraje a Rigor as the supporting band, has comedy segments, stand-up monologue, round-table with comedians talking about recent news and Brazilian stars as the main guests. His main opponent, not directly in the format Jô Soares is a "dinosaur of the tv" as he says in his acid comments during their show. The dispute of late nights in Brazil begins to reassemble the remote battle between David Letterman and Jay Leno on American TV, Danilo and Jô often indirect attack each other in shows where they are asked and that they have improved the quality of shows and interest in being interviewed Brazilian celebrities. Danilo often says that Jô did not invent the format and that his opponent got settled for decades because he didn't have any competition. The media still doubter the politically incorrect boy of possibly becoming one of the biggest interviewers in Latin America. The show have been considered the Brazilian version of 'The Daily Show', with Jon Stewart.

Awards[link]

O Globo[link]

'Agora é Tarde' was chosen by this important newspaper publication as "Best 2011 TV Show" and Danilo Gentili, the 'Best TV Show Host'.

Troféu Imprensa[link]

'Agora é Tarde' was chosen by the Brazilian Press Association as the 'Best Talk Show' in the 2012 edition of the awards.

Critics' Recognition[link]

Other than the awards, the show has been highly acclaimed by the critcs for the quality of the show and also for the host's skills. According to the columnist Flávio Ricco, from UOL, "Danilo showed, more than anything, to be a real hard worker. A lot of what you see on the show is due to his strength and perseverance.'

Comedy Central Apresenta[link]

“Comedy Central Apresenta” (Comedy Central Presents) is the first show from Comedy Central produced in Brazil. Danilo Gentili was chosen by the channel as the host of this project, that mainly consists on a typical stand-up night club show.

Businessman[link]

In 2010, alongside his comedy partner Rafinha Bastos and producer Ítalo Gusso, opened at Rua Augusta in São Paulo, the first American style comedy club in Brazil, called Comedians Comedy Club,^[6] which opens Tuesdays through Sundays.

International Critics[link]

The New York Times[link]

In 2011 Danilo Gentili was mentioned in The New York Times for his comedian work in Brazil. About him, The New York Times wrote:

"Supplying Brazil’s Laugh Track" - With his baby face, boyish manner and goofy laugh, Mr. Gentili, 32, is the enfant terrible of comedy in Brazil. He has built his reputation on a willingness to ask celebrities — and especially politicians — questions that are considered embarrassing, outrageous or disrespectful. Recently he also got himself into trouble with a Twitter post that enraged Jewish community leaders in São Paulo. Even so, in June he became host of a late-night talk show on a national network and the big question now is: Will that format succeed in taming him? So far, the answer is no.^[7]

"A Brazilian’s Comic Mania: Social Media" - Danilo Gentili, partner of a comedy club, has more than a touch of Bill Maher in him, as shown by a DVD called “Politicamente Incorreto.” “We’re not considered artists, we’re compared to punk rockers playing in the garage to see what happens, and I’m fine with that,” said Mr. Gentili, 32, who has just been given a late-night talk show on the Bandeirantes network.^[8]

The Guardian[link]

"Brazil's stand-up comics lead social revolution against powerful elites" - Danilo Gentili comedy also drew attention of England’s leading newspaper, The Guardian. In Tom Phillips's article, Gentili is named a comedian that leads a revolution “a highly controversial but also wildly popular comedian who is blazing a trail for stand-up comedy in South America's largest nation, is a man who enjoys living on the edge.”

The newspaper has highlighted the following of Mr. Gentili: "We earn money this way. If people get on TV they'll earn more money, even better. But if they don't, damn it. This will keep happening. So they don't owe allegiance to anyone.",

"Anywhere in the world people understand that the role of the comedian is to crack jokes. One day they'll understand it in Brazil, too, I hope," he said.^[9]

Manager Magazin[link]

Danilo Gentili was once again mentioned in an international article. After the British 'The Guardian' ^[9] and American 'The New York Times',^[8] now it's German Manager Magazin - a business magazine from the Der Spiegel group, one of the most important ones in Germany - who mentions the Brazilian comedian.

In the article, that brings to attention the advances of Brazilian technology, Gentili is presented as an influential comedian online, with more than 2 million twitter followers. http://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/it/0,2828,795446,00.html

Prospect Magazine[link]

Danilo Gentili made the headline of another British article, this time the 'Prospect Magazine' compares the Brazilian comedian with Jon Stewart and stats that Gentili is helping Brazil match economic weight with cultural clout.^[10]

Forbes Magazine[link]

The worldwide famous Forbes magazine add Danilo Gentili on their list of "Names you Need to Know". With a brief history on the comedians and a Q&A, the magazine highlights Danilo as the country’s latest comic phenomenon. ^[11]

Stand-up Comedy[link]

Politically Incorrect[link]

In October 2010, Danilo had his first stand-up solo about politics broadcast LIVE. Over a million people watched the show online. The show became a DVD, an audiobook on CD available for download and the book "Politically Incorrect."

Danilo Gentili: Volume 1[link]

Considered a great surprise for the Brazilian comedy, Danilo sees the world in a very peculiar way. With a humorous and critical view of events, he builds his shows from the common life: personal frustrations, relationships, politics, current events, unusual facts and even the most trivial things, everything becomes raw material for his funny and clever work. Danilo Gentili naturally seem to know the recipe of the genre: originality, surprise, charisma and connection with the audience, these are the perfect ingredients for a good dose of humor, the one of the best medicine there is. After years of performing in bars and theaters, Danilo selected the tested and approved material by his audience and put together a 1-hour solo show and recently has documented that show so it will come out as a DVD later 2011.

Work[link]

Television[link]

In São Paulo Gay Pride Parade, 2009.

Theater[link]

• 2005/2009 - Clube da Comédia Stand-Up - author and comedian
• 2006/2009 - Comédia Ao Vivo - creator, comedian and author
• 2009 - Divina Comédia - creator, comedian and author (alongside other comedians)
• 2007/2008 - Circuito Baviera Premium - comedian and author
• 2008/2011 - Danilo Gentili Volume 1 (Stand-Up Comedy Solo Show) - comedian and author
• 2010 - Politicamente Incorreto (Stand-Up Comedy Solo Show) - comedian and author
• 2011 - Virada Cultural de São Paulo

Cartoonist[link]

• 2009 - Mad Magazine - Writer and cartoonist

Businessman[link]

• 2010 - Comedians Comedy Club^[13] - Partner

Products[link]

DVD[link]

• 2010 - Politicamente Incorreto
• 2011 - Danilo Gentili - Volume 1

Books[link]

• 2009 - Como se Tornar o Pior Aluno da Escola (How to Become School's Worst Student) - Panda Books Publishing Company - author and illustrator
• 2010 - Politicamente Incorreto (Politically Incorrect) - Panda Books Publishing Company - author and illustrator

Games[link]

• 2011 - O Mundo vs Danilo Gentili (The World versus Danilo Gentili) –^[14]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official site
• Danilo Gentili on Twitter

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (September 2011)

Sokratis Malamas, 2007

Sokratis Malamas (Greek: Σωκράτης Μάλαμας) (b. September 29, 1957 in Sykia in Chalkidiki, Greece) is a Greek singer and songwriter.^[1]

One of the great songwriters of his generation with a very personal and identifiable musical style in his narrative songs. As of 2010, he is considered one of the most influential songwriters in Greece.

Biography[link]

Sokratis Malamas was born on September 29, 1957 in Sykia in Chalkidiki, Greece. His family moved to Stuttgart, Germany for a few years, he later moved to Thessaloniki. There, he sang bouzouki songs and he learned from his father about his music. At age thirteen, he bought his first guitar and practiced for his presentations at schoolworks and when he was seventeen, he followed his guitar studies at the Macedonian Conservatory of Thessaloniki (Μακεδονικό Ωδείο Θεσσαλονίκης = Makedoniko Odeio Thessalonikis). He returned to Germany after he finished school and later went to the Stuttgart Odeon. In one difficult period of his life, he came back to Greece and attended studies at the National Conservatory of Athens (Εθνικό Ωδείο Αθηνών = Ethniko Odeio Athinon). He was taught by Vangelis Assimakopoulos and Notis Mavroudis. At 23, he began his professional career, worked as a guitar teacher and a singer in some public shops. Before he continued into his personal way, he was a guitarist at the orchestra of Nikos Papazoglou.

He continued to play music in public shops, he tried and put his songs on programs. Not until the time that Nikos Papazoglou made him enter the studio and began his first album Aspromavres Istories in 1989. Sokratis Malamas wrote songs for theatrical releases and made his performance in the odeon. His direction of his works was better known and loved his charts.

He performed with famous musicians including Manolis Rasoulis, composers including Nikos Xydakis, Melina Kana and more composers including Giannis Tsatsopoulos, Giorgos Athanassopoulos, Alkis Alkaiou, Fotini Lambridis, Thodoros Gonis, Michalis Gkanas, Odysseas Ioannou and Thanasis Papakonstantinou. He also had enough participants of works of famous people including Dionyssis Tsaknis, Maria Thoidou, B.D. Foxmoor and Sadahzinia (of Active Member), Eleftheria Arvanitaki, Thanos Mikroutsikos, Michalis Siganidis, Takis Vouis, Maria Papanikolaou and others.

Malamas also wrote songs and featured them in movies including To Kynigi To Lagou (Το Κυνήγι του Λαγού) [1] and interpreted a song called To Chrono na Lavoso (Το χρόνο να λαβώσω) in a short-length film Ypsoma 33 (Ύψωμα 33) [2], [3]

Discography[link]

• Aspromavres Istories (1989)
• Paramithia (1991)
• Tis Meras kai tis Nixtas (1992)
• Kyklos (1993)
• Lavyrinthos (1996)
• 13.000 Meres (1998)
• O Fylakas kai o Vasilias (2000)
• Ena (2002)
• Adeio Domatio (2005)
• Dromoi (2007)
• Ekso (2010)
• Perasma (2010)

Productions[link]

• 1994 - To Fantasma Apo to Parelthon (Το φάντασμα από το παρελθόν) (Akti)
• 1995 - Stin Andromeda Kai Stin Gi (Στην Ανδρομέδα και στη γη = On Andromeda And On Earth) (Lyra)
• 1997 - I Gynaika Kai To Milo (Η γυναίκα και το μήλο) (Mylos)
• 1997 - Pyli Tis Ammou (Πύλη της άμμου = Sand Gate) (Mylos)
• 1997 - San Petalouda (Σαν πεταλούδα = Like A Butterfly) Virgin
• 1999 - Me tin Platy ston Tycho (Με την πλάτη στον τοίχο = With The Back On The Wall)
• 1999 - Mikres Angelies (Μικρές αγγελίες = Little Tidings)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Songs of Sokratis Malamas (requires cookies)
• http://www.malamas.tk/
• http://users.hol.gr/~dougas/
• http://users.hol.gr/~dougas/htmls/ARTICLES/DIFONO43.htm - courtesy of Trypes
• http://perso.wanadoo.fr/ilios/musique/malamas.htm - French