Manolis Tsagarakis(Kouroupis)

THE OLDEST OF THE OLD TIMERS

Manolis Tsagarakis also called Kouroupis, was born in the village of Meronas (Rethimnon) around 1910, though neither himself nor anybody else remembers the exact date. He is one of the Great Masters of Cretan music, but various misfortunes prevented him of doing the career he deserved. He has met the greatest lyre players of his time, Kareklas, Rodinos, Karavitis, Baxevanis, Lagos, Skordalos and played with many of them. Kouroupis remembers Giorgos Klados, the well-known artist, sitting by him while he was playing the lyre and looking deep into his eyes. “I gave the young Klados a caress and asked him if he wanted to be a lyre player. He answered “yes” and he kept his word!”…

 

Riki Mataliotaki