The Thessaloniki State Orchestra paid tribute to the 149 victims of the Hortiatis massacre with the world premiere of David Bruce’s piece “Na Thimithoume.” This event, held in collaboration with the municipality of Pylaia-Hortiatis and the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, was part of the Dimitria Festival.
David Bruce, who was deeply moved by the first performance of his work, had visited the Martyrs’ Memorial in Hortiatis the previous day to pay his respects. The event was attended by relatives of the victims and the creators of the documentary “The Chronicle of a Disaster,” Chrysa Tzelepi and Akis Kersanidis. This documentary inspired Bruce’s composition, incorporating words from Manolis Glezou’s poem “Debt or Memory,” which expresses the horror and suffering experienced during the Holocaust and the Nazi occupation.
The event prefaced the Director of TSSO Simos Papanas and the mayor of Pylaia-Hortiatis, Igantios Kaitezidis. Mr. Papanas described the work as a monument of the sounds that the story of the Hortiatis Holocaust and unlike memorials built in one place, this can travel around the world and make the story of the Holocaust known everywhere.
The event was introduced by Simos Papanas, Director of TSSO, and Ignatios Kaitezidis, Mayor of Pylaia-Hortiatis. Mr. Papanas described the work as a monument of sound that can travel the world, unlike physical memorials, to share the story of the Hortiatis Holocaust. Mayor Kaitezidis emphasized the power of art to touch hearts, especially in the context of such a tragic event, and highlighted the importance of culture in preserving the memory of these events. He recalled the words of Eleni Glykatzis-Arveler, who said, “All civilized people, when we hear about fascism and Nazism, we have to recommend our culture first.”
The concert concluded with Shostakovich’s Eighth Symphony, a piece written in the year of the Hortiatis Holocaust, which poignantly expresses the horrors of war and honors those who lost their lives. The orchestra was conducted by principal musician Leo McFall, with soprano Chryssa Maliamani and the participation of the Children’s Youth Choir of Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, taught by Maria-Emma Meligkopoulou.