Yesterday, the Ioannis Mylarakis Archive was inaugurated in the foyer of the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, on the first floor. This event, organized by the TSSO, was part of the 59th Dimitria Festival.
The event featured speeches by Antonis Konstantinidis, George Skampardonis, Domna Evnouchidou, Simos Papanas, Popi Mylaraki, Antonis Kourtis, and Kostas Patsalidis, coordinated by Antonis Konstantinidis, the vice president of the board of Directors of E.T.O.S of TSSO. The musical performance accompanying the exhibition's opening included Popi Mylaraki (violin), Mary Mylaraki (piano), Simos Papanas (violin), Antonis Sousamoglou (violin), Miguel Michailidis (violin), Dimitris Chandrakis (violin), Marilena Liakopoulou (piano), and Evaggelia Hatzipetrou (violin).
Please note that the exhibition will be accessible in the foyer of Thessaloniki Concert Hall until October 27th, with free entry during the concert hall's operating hours. Additionally, the archive will be available digitally in the future.
In his introductory speech, Antonis Konstantinidis highlighted the following key points:
The donation of this important archive by the late Yiannis Mylarakis, enriches not only the knowledge for the orchestra’s past as an indirect source and testimony, but also the historiography of the musical life in Thessaloniki. A past that unfolds through the digitalization of the archive and the accessibility for further research, studies and possible conclusions. 213 digitalized clippings and programs and 447 black and white photographs, outline the past. We must congratulate the family for their generous donation and for the patients they showed us for the utilization of the journalistic archive of Yiannis Mylarakis…..
At this point, we should emphasize that the music-critical record of Yiannis Mylarakis does not last only 10 years, 1963-1973, in which Yiannis records and with his pen hoards the city’s music life and especially his beloved State Orchestra, but immediately afterwards, signing with his initials GM, confirms his special and undiminished personal interest….
In the digitized clippings from Yiannis Mylarakis' pen, we trace the first decade from 1963 to 1973. Here, we encounter the faces of artists, concert programs, and a discreet and humble tone of critical evaluation of musical events. Through these recordings, Mylarakis' personal writing style becomes evident, accompanied by a subtle literary aura that permeates the text without burdening or overshadowing the journalistic discourse….
Ultimately, the texts preserved in the TSSO archive and library for communal benefit reflect the noble temperament of their author, the late Yiannis Mylarakis. In his personal life, Mylarakis is portrayed in his writings as a critical friend, a demanding listener, and a dedicated journalist who understands the challenges, sets goals, and offers support, guidance, and assistance when needed. His work includes specific proposals aimed at addressing the issues related to the enhancement and development of institutions and the musical culture in this city….