Sounds of Cyprus

Programme includes: instrumental music by Greek and Cypriot composers featuring bouzouki, accordion and mandolin.

Georgia Kombou is the only female Cypriot soloist of the bouzouki. She also plays mandolin, laouto and tzoura. She is an award-winning composer whose work is inspired by Thanasis Polykandriotis, the famous composer from Limassol. Born in Limassol, Georgia began playing music at the age of nine, attending piano and theory at the Greek Conservatory of Limassol. But the signs were there from an even earlier age: while very young Georgia would, she says, hold a sewing needle and a matchstick in a pretence of playing the mandolin. Of course, no parent could ignore the obvious signs, and when her father noticed his daughter’s interest, he quickly bought her a bouzouki – an instrument which has since become her trademark. Fast forward a few years and, in 1990, Georgia set off for Thessaloniki to study music, quickly building her reputation as she began to perform in concerts and make appearances in local television stations. She participated in various festivals for several years and has recently won awards for her bouzouki playing. In 2016 with her composition ‘To Diko sou Yiatrikon’ taking third place at the National Composition Prize in the ‘Traditional music today in new compositions’ category. In 2019, Georgia was awarded the Bronze Medal in several categories at Global Music Awards.

Part of the World Music Festival organised by Paphos Music Lovers