Greek flag

Eleftheria i thanatos (Greek: Ελευθερία ή θάνατος, pronounced [elefθeˈria ˈi ˈθanatos], "freedom or death") is the motto of Greece.^[1][2] It arose during the Greek War of Independence in the 1820s, where it was a war cry for the Greeks who rebelled against Ottoman rule.^[3] It was adopted after the Greek War of Independence. It is still in use today, and is a popular theory regarding the use of 9 stripes (for the nine syllables of the motto) in the Greek flag.^[4][5] The motto symbolized and still symbolizes the resolve of the people of Greece against tyranny and oppression.

References[link]

See also[link]

• Greek War of Independence
• Hymn to Liberty
• Live free or die
• God Save the South
• Give me liberty or give me death
• Liberté, égalité, fraternité
• Thanatos

v t e Symbols of Greece National symbols National Flag · National Emblem · Hymn to Liberty Motto: Elefthería í Thánatos · National personifications: Athena, Greece by Delacroix, Grateful Hellas by Vryzakis · National holidays: 25 March (1821), 28 October (1940) Other symbols Historical symbols Double-headed eagle · Phoenix · Drachma · Meander Other official symbols Vergina Sun Natural Dolphin · Owl · Mount Olympus · Olive Tree · Bay Laurel Monuments Acropolis of Athens · Delphi · Epidaurus · Meteora · Mount Athos · Mycenae · Mystras · Olympia Musical instruments Aulos · Lyre · Tambourine · Laouto · Bouzouki Poets Homer · Dionysios Solomos · Kostis Palamas · Constantine P. Cavafy National epics Iliad · Odyssey · Digenis Acritas · Erotokritos Cuisine Wine · Souvlaki · Feta · Greek salad · Pastitsio · Olive oil · Ouzo Patron Saints Mary · Saint Andrew · Saint George · Saint Nicholas Former national symbols Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Greece · Greek Crown Jewels

Eleftheria "Elle" Eleftheriou (Greek: Ελευθερία Ελευθερίου; born 12 May 1989) is a Greek-Cypriot singer who came to prominence in Greece and Cyprus through her participation in the second season of Greece's version of the singing competition The X Factor. Her early elimination from the show was considered a shock to many. Shortly after her elimination, Sony Music Greece signed Eleftheria and submitted her as a candidate to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. She was later disqualified from the national final, following the leak of her song onto the web by an unknown party.

Eleftheria had previously participated in the Cypriot national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "Play That Melody To Me" featuring Maria Zorli, finishing seventh in the final. She is currently signed to Universal Music Greece, and is in the process of searching for new material. Eleftheria represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, with the song "Aphrodisiac", where she placed 17th.

Early life[link]

Eleftheria Eleftheriou was born and raised in Cyprus.^[1] Growing up she used to draw, dance and was an athlete, while she always had a passion for singing. At the age of nine she started courses at a conservatory.

From a young age, Eleftheriou started learning piano, theory, harmony and history of music. At the age of 15 she started voice lessons and at age 16 she started participating as a soloist in RIK's national folk orchestra.^[1] That same year, she was a candidate to represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "Play That Melody to Me" featuring Maria Zorli.^[2] Although she passed the first semi-final, she finished seventh in the national final.^[2] Despite not winning the national final, Eleftheriou decided to continue studying music and performance, enrolling at the University of Surrey. She started singing solo in the Cypriot music scenes at the age of 18, and performed in the musical "Rent" in Nicosia for one season.^[3]

[edit] The X Factor

In 2008, Eleftheriou auditioned for the first season of new talent show The X Factor Greece.^[3] Although she received three out of four yeses from the judges and was granted a spot in boot-camp, she decided not to participate in the show. A year later in 2009, Eleftheriou once again tried out for the show, and received four out of four yeses. Despite being a favorite to win, Eleftheriou was voted off the show during the fifth live episode. While the judges and host were shocked with elimination, host and singer Sakis Rouvas offered her a spot to sing with him at the Club he was appearing for the winter season live on the show, which she accepted.^[4]

Performances[link]

• Live 1 – "Den Milo Gia Mia Nihta Ego" (Original Singer: Eleftheria Arvanitaki)
• Live 2 – "Kopse Kai Mirase Sta Dio" (Original Singer: Eleonora Zouganeli)
• Live 3 – "Kathe Fora Pou Me Kitazeis (Original Singer: Alkistis Protopsalti)
• Live 4 – Opening: "Girls Just wanna have fun"; Competition: "Stin Diskotek" (Original Singer: Elpida)
• Live 5 – "No One" (Original Singer: Alicia Keys)
• Live 9 – "Methismeni Politeia" (Original Singer: Anna Vissi) (Special guest singer on Christmas live special)

[edit] Post-The X Factor

2010–present: Professional debut and Eurovision 2012[link]

Shortly after her elimination, Sony Music Greece signed Eleftheria and submitted her as a candidate to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010.^[3][5] A week before the formal presentation of the songs by Greek broadcast ERT, Eleftheriou's song "Tables are Turning" was leaked onto the web by an unknown party.^[6] As a result, the song was disqualified from the national final, while the leak also forced the broadcaster to release the rest of the national final songs prematurely the next day, in fear of further leaks.^[7]

Despite the disqualification, she released the song in Greek as "Kentro Tou Kosmou" (Center of the world) as the first single off her debut album to be released. A music video was shot and released shortly after. Both Greek and English version's of the song were released as digital downloads on 5 March 2010.^[8][9]

Eleftheriou started appearing with Sakis Rouvas and Tamta at S-Club on 11 December 2009.^[4][10] On 19 August 2010, she started appearing with Nikos Vertis at club Orama in Thessaloniki.^[11] Initially scheduled to end by the beginning of October, the shows proved to be a success and have been extended throughout October.^[12]

On 6 October 2010, Eleftheriou released her new single titled "Otan Hamilonoume To Fos" (When we dim the lights) with music by Giannis Iermias and lyrics by Faidon Samsidis.^[13] In March 2011, Eleftheria was featured on DJ duo HouseTwins' track "Never", credited under the name Elle.^[14] An accompanying music video featuring her was also released.^[15]

On 1 December 2011, Eleftheriou announced that she had left Sony Music Greece and signed with Universal Music Greece.^[16] She stated that it was her choice to leave Sony Music, as Universal Music made her a very good proposal. Eleftheriou further stated that she was currently in the process of searching for new songs to record.^[16]

On 5 March 2012, it was announced that Eleftheria was one of four acts competing to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, with the song "Aphrodisiac".^[17] On 12 March 2012, Eleftheria won the national selection and represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 which was held in Baku, Azerbaijan.^[18] In the final she placed 17th, being the first Greek act since the introduction of the semifinals to not place in the Top 10.

Discography[link]

Digital singles[link]

• 2010 – "Kentro Tou Kosmou" (English version: Tables are turning)
• 2010 – "Otan Hamilonoume To Fos"
• 2011 – "Never" (Housetwins feat. Elle)
• 2012 – "Aphrodisiac"

Music Videos[link]

• 2010 – "Kentro Tou Kosmou"
• 2011 – "Never" (Housetwins feat. Elle)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Eleftheria Eleftheriou on Facebook
• Eleftheria Eleftheriou on Twitter

Eleftheria Arvanitaki (Greek: Ελευθερία Αρβανιτάκη) (born October 16, 1957 in Piraeus) is a Greek folk singer. She originates from the island of Icaria. On 14 March 2010, Alpha TV ranked Arvanitaki the sixth top-certified female artist in the nation's phonographic era (since 1960).^[1]

Career[link]

Arvanitaki started her career in singing in 1980, by joining the group "Opisthodromiki Kompania" / "Οπισθοδρομική Κομπανία" (Retrograde Company) and in 1981 she had her first guest appearance on a CD, by being featured in the album of Vangelis Germanos titled "Ta Barakia". She broke away from the group and started a solo career in 1984 with her album Eleftheria Arvanitaki.

In August 2004 she participated in the closing ceremony of the Athens Olympics.

She has performed in several WOMAD and other festivals. In 2006 she took part in the Christmas concert "Frostroses" in Reykjavik, Iceland as a part of a group of singers named "European Divas". The other "divas" were Sissel Kyrkjebø (Norway), Eivør Pálsdóttir (Faroe Islands), Petula Clark (UK), Ragga Gisla (Iceland) and Patricia Bardon (Ireland).

Thanks to her contract with Universal Music Group's jazz label Verve Records, her music has enjoyed international release and exposure to some extent. Verve has subsequently assigned her to the EmArcy label, Universal's European jazz arm, whose focus includes developing local European talent to an international calibre. Her recordings are all generally produced under her native signing with Universal Music Greece.

She is a cousin of award-winning Greek Australian filmmaker Anthony Maras.

Discography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Site
• Biography(GR) from music.net.cy