Tradition and Cretan music
Lyra players, revellers and the living musical soul of Vrises
Vrises, a historic village in the Municipality of Agios Vasileios, spreads across the slopes of the imposing Sideroto, at an altitude of roughly 600 metres. The village takes its name from the many springs and fountains of abundant water that flow within and around the settlement, lending life and natural beauty to the place.
From the mid-19th century to the present day, Vrises has been a distinct nucleus of the Cretan musical tradition. The village has produced more than twenty-five significant artists of Cretan music — chiefly lyra players, but also countless revellers, dancers, singers and folk satirical poets who have kept the cultural identity of the region alive.
The Older Masters
Among the older and most important lyra players and teachers from Vrises are Grigorakis Emmanouil of Ioannis (1852–1918), Pavlakis Grigoris of Michail (1856–1916) and Zachariouddakis Emmanouil of Nikolaos, known as 'Zeinis' (1868–1925). The contribution of the traditional artists Vas. S. Grigorakis and Ant. G. Pavlakis was also significant; they were teachers of the village's younger artist, Mich. Phil. Pavlakis.
A village of lyra players, revellers and poets — a living legacy of Cretan music.
Influence and encounters
Vrises has always been a meeting place for musicians, feasts and cultural expression. Major artists of Cretan music gathered, celebrated and were influenced in the village — among them Karavitis, Kalogridis, Skordalos, the Markogiannakis brothers, Spyros Sifogiorgakis and Gerasimos Stamatogiannakis — all contributing to the diffusion and evolution of the area's musical tradition.
Cultural Movement 1976–1989
At the same time, Vrises — together with Melampes, Ardaktos, Kissos and Kerame — played a leading role in preserving the cultural heritage of Agios Vasileios. Their contribution to the cultural movement of 1976–1989, through the activity of the province's 23 cultural associations, was particularly significant.
Sources: Wikipedia · rethnea.gr (Lefteris Kryovrysanakis) · N. Fasataki 'The former province of Agios Vasileios' 2003.