MFT Mario Frangoulis Interview 1 SUNDAYS ZAMAN Greek tenor Frangoulis: Music brings people and nations together Greeces Mario Frangoulis, one of the most admired young tenors from Turkeys next-door neighbor, believes that music brings people and nations together, and says that Greek people are no different from Turks. The friendship between Turkey and Greece, he thinks, is extremely important. “I do believe that friendship between countries is extremely important, and even though we have so many cultural and political differences, people are still people. I have come to understand that we are no different from Turkish people. We are proud of our heritage and so is Turkey. … We should cultivate these qualities and work towards a very productive future together,” Frangoulis said. The Greek tenor is also a lover of the Bosporus. He said that though many have sacrificed much to possess the Bosporus, it is now in the hands of its rightful owner, adding: “İstanbul and the Bosporus are one. Its the energy that joins the two worlds. Its the strength that people derive [from it] every day when they go to work and see that image in front of them … that special power that says Im different, Im special …” Frangoulis was scheduled to perform a concert in Ankara on Saturday. The concert took place soon after Greece assumed the European Unions rotating presidency for the fifth time since the country joined the EU in 1981. Greeces chairing of the EU in the first half of 2014 has aroused interest in Turkey, as the two countries enjoy improving relations in the fields of economy, trade and tourism, which was not the case a year ago. When asked his opinion about Turkeys EU membership bid, Frangoulis refrained from political commentary, saying: I am an international artist who is focused on how I can make a contribution to humankind by creating environments for human beings to come together and experience love, compassion and empathy for one another through my music. … For me, this is not political or economic. Frangoulis expressed his desire for the world to be a fair and unified place, and for people to be able to work together to create a better future. “I hope for access for all countries to the best opportunities that exist,” he added. “I also want to say that people and politics are not the same. … We are all human beings and we all “bleed the same.” … The more we find ways to focus on what we have in common rather than what divides us, the more of a chance we have to find peace and unity. We must be together and unified as human beings first, and then as countries,” he added. In an email interview with Sundays Zaman, the 46-year-old heartthrob, who is very familiar with Turkish music and composers, shared his feelings about Turkey, its people and his concert in Ankara. Excerpts from the interview with Frangoulis follow: What does Turkey mean to you? How would you describe Turkey? Turkey is a destination. Turkey was my grandmothers home -- İstanbul. We have so many good friends in Turkey and feel very close to the people, almost like being at home. Turkey is a very big country, over 70 million so Im told, and we share so much history together … culture and civilizations, values and traditions. What do you think about the role of music in building friendship and an atmosphere of peace and understanding between different cultures? Could you also comment on the role of music for relations between Greece and Turkey? Music and the arts bring people together and artists such as myself believe that art gives you the strength to transcend the borders and helps you find new ways of communication. Definitely this performance has brought a lot of people together from Ankara, the [Ankara State] Symphony Opera and Ballet, plus Feryal Türkoğlu, who is singing as my guest in our performance on Jan. 11. Most important is that we decided to perform in Ankara in order to celebrate the presidency of the Council of the European Union with music and poetry from our great country, Greece. Maestro Lukas Karytinos, who is mainly an opera conductor, is doing us the honor to conduct this exceptional orchestra where we will perform Greek, Spanish, Italian, English and some Turkish songs. … Perhaps I will try to surprise you on the evening!! Music does bring people and nations together, and for those who have the slightest doubt, you must come to our concert! Do you listen to Turkish music? If so, who are your favorite singers and what are your favorite songs? Yes. I like Turkish composers like Fazil Say and [Zülfü] Livaneli and have a lot of admiration for traditional Turkish music coming from the people themselves, and their dances. … One of my favorite sopranos ever was Leyla Genger. One of the songs that you sing is Kemal by Nikos Gatsos and Manos Hadjidakis. We know that you like it. What do you feel when you sing it? Kemal is the story of a young hero who thought he could change the world. … This is the hero we always look up to and hope that we too can follow his example and help make this a better place. Kemal was composed by Manos Hadjidakis, who was our national hero and a great lover of Turkey who stood for the rights of people and fought for equality and freedom. He is missed, but his influence was so big in the world of music and poetry that he made us better people. Isnt this what it is all about? This way, young Kemals unfortunate death … will never be in vain and there will always be a young hero who loves their country and wants to support peace and help children maximize their “inner” capabilities. One of my favorite songs is Vosporos (The Bosporus). I really like the music and your voice, the way you sing it. Its as if you feel the Bosporus when you sing it. What are your emotions when you are singing the song? You have been to İstanbul many times. What are İstanbul and the Bosporus to you? İstanbul and the Bosporus are one. Its the energy that joins the two worlds, its the strength that people derive every day when they go to work and see that image in front of them … that special power that says Im different, Im special … A lot of people have sacrificed so much to obtain the Bosporus and now it belongs to its rightful owner. My grandmother lived not very far from the Bosporus and shared so many beautiful stories and images that every time I go back to İstanbul I feel like home. The first time I heard the song I imagined and saw the whole history right “there” in front of me, and the whole image and experience brought me to tears. It was almost like coming out of a mothers womb. A baby cries when it first sees the light and a baby cries when he/she is taken away from their family, which is how all the Greeks felt when they were denied the right to stay in their homes in İstanbul. … We as human beings have avoided and denied, tried to survive. … We have to get better every day. We cannot go back as we move into the future. We have to move forward. We have made new friends over the years, we have healed old wounds and we intend and will continue to do so. In an interview, you said that your grandmother was from İstanbul and she told you a lot of stories and shared many memories about the city when you were a child. Do you remember any of them? Could you please share? My grandmothers name was “Happiness” (Eutyxia), which for us was very symbolic because she was born and bred in İstanbul, and spoke “perfect Turkish” and always spoke about the Turkish people as [if] they were her family and her friends. My grandmother had 13 children and I could write a book about her. She taught us to love each other and support our family and friends, but above all, to be fair. She knew when she was leaving İstanbul to return to Greece (she went to Corfu) that she was leaving behind her home, her friends, her cooking, her country (almost). She was very hurt, but in a very melancholic way, not in a sad or angry way. Just like the song by Hadjidakis “TAsteri Tou Voria,” which translated means “The North Star” … the one that guided her as she left Turkey. Turkish television series and dramas are very famous in Greece, and Greek people like them very much. Have you ever watched any? If so, which one? Do you think that it would be interesting to act in a television series or movie co-produced by Turkish and Greek directors about friendship between the two countries? I never watch TV, but I know that everyone else does and we somehow all feel closer to the Turkish people by seeing real Turkish drama and romantic stories, and this helps us realize we are all the same. … If we are hurt, for example, we fight back, if you love us, well love you. … This way we have all of the human similarities that exist. I do believe, however, that friendship between countries is extremely important and even though we have so many cultural and political differences, people are still people. I have come to understand that we are no different than the Turkish people. We are proud of our heritage and so is Turkey. … We should cultivate these qualities and work towards a very productive future together, perhaps an exchange of theatre plays in theatres in Turkey and Turkish drama in our theatres as well. … For the moment, music seems to be the most universal way of crossing those barriers and moving to a more secure and happy new year [in] 2014. I send love and blessings to every person and family in Turkey. A big movie would help and I will be there if you ask me, because I believe in human relations that will forever be trapped behind the lens. The casting well leave for the directors! Your concert in Ankara coincides with the Greek presidency of the European Union. What is your opinion with regard to Turkeys bid for membership in the European Union? Do you support it? Could you briefly explain your answer? I am an international artist who is focused on how I can make a contribution to humankind by creating environments for human beings to come together and experience love, compassion and empathy for one another through my music. … For me this is not political or economic. Simply said, I support access to opportunity for all countries. My preference would be for the world to be a fair, unified place and for people to be able to work together to create a better reality and future for humans and the planet. Beyond that, I am not able to give a “yes or no” opinion … except that I hope for access for all to the best opportunities that exist! When I look at your background and cultural roots, it seems that you are multicultural. You were born in Rhodesia. Your grandmother was from Turkey. You have lived in different cities and cultures. How do you define yourself in terms of identity? What do you think about dialogue between different peoples, cultures, civilizations and religions, and respecting one another? One of the reasons that I have focused a lot on languages and singing in different genres of music, mixing and collaborating with other artists and styles, is because I believe that we need to break down the barriers that exist between us and reach across countries, borders, philosophies, religions and points of view to find common ground. Music is what does that for me -- and I do consider myself a “citizen of the world.” I feel “at home” in many places. … Of course, the fact that I am supported by my own people -- the Greeks -- no matter where they are, that is what always gives me courage and keeps my feet planted on the ground. One of my mentors and friends, the Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, once said to me, “You can travel the entire world gaining the respect and love of audiences, but you will only be able to truly feel success and truly go out into the world when you have gained the love of your own people.” This concert in Ankara at the invitation of the Greek Embassy is exactly that -- I am coming to perform for a global/world audience, sing in many languages, be with many different people … but all because I was invited by my own people, and thats what makes this performance special to me. Any message that you want to deliver to the Turkish public? Yes, of course. I want to wish a happy and healthy new year to everyone, full of love, compassion and great health and success! I also want to say that people and politics are not the same. … We are all human beings and we all bleed the same … The more we find ways to focus on what we have in common rather than what divides us, the more of a chance we have to find peace and unity. We must be together and unified as human beings first, and then as countries. Thank you! Mario Frangoulis 2014-01-12 Muhabir: SERVET YANATMA, ANKARA
Posted on: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 16:48:17 +0000