#bouzoukia

[gemsofgreece]

hello! first, i wanna say thank you for what you do. i have a d&d campaign that takes place in a greek-inspired region, and i frequently find myself coming to this blog to look for inspiration and information thats difficult to find on google, so thank you for doing that! second, i had a question. in my campaign, i want to have this tacky kind of burlesque tavern. i thought it would be fun to mix some elements of greek culture in there (like styles of dance or clothing) but i dont want to disrespect the culture by like, "sexy-ifying" it as would be expected for burlesque. so i wanted to ask if there's anything that exists in greek history that could be compatible with that aesthetic without being butchered? ty!

Hello! It's wonderful that the blog has enriched your experience in D&D!

Regarding your question, burlesque in its strict sense does not exist in the Greek culture but there are a couple of things that could be considered "close enough". First of all, since burlesque itself was invented in early 19th century, I assume we are talking about Modern Greek culture? We should take into account whether what you are imagining also involves some degree of sex work, which historically happened at times with burlesque. In any case, before I go to my modern Greek suggestions, we could consider that:

in Ancient Greece there was a dance called Codrax which could either stand on its own or was often employed as an interval during comedies. The dance was downright obscene and sometimes comical to match the vibes of the show. The dancer was masked and often also played the zills.

in the Byzantine empire, women could work as actresses, dancers and acrobats. They often worked in festivals and celebrations in the hippodrome. Many of those were also sex workers and they were definitely perceived as sex workers but not all of them actually did sex work.

in Ottoman Greece, sex workers would be in taverns-brothels and they would often dance accompanied by music. The dance at the time was quite like belly dancing, the Greek-style belly dance called tsifteteli.

So now let's go to Modern Greek entertainment. There are two types of entertainment that could resemble burlesque a little bit; some types of old buzúkia and epitheórisi (revue).

Old Buzúkia

Buzukia is a Greek form of music entertainment that is still very popular today but it has been continuously evolving throughout time. The period that is relevant to our topic was between 50s-70s. Buzukia is generally a late night live music scene which also offers food and alcohol. The main focus of the show has always been the music and the singing and they were so embraced by Greek society that most of the successful commercial Greek singers have performed in buzukia for a great part of their career. Before the 70s, the show program of buzukia could vary considerably and especially the most well known ones would also feature ballets and dancers. The dance shows could have a theatrical aspect to them (ie performative dancing where some sort of simple story is easily conveyed) and the dances could be sensual. The outfits were often pretty sexy, with feathers and orientalist influences. However, it was supposed to be sexy and sensual without being too tacky and without being too provocative. There were buzukia where stripping and / or sex work was involved, however the vast majority in this type of entertainment had nothing to do with it and was pretty mainstream. There are two Greek celebrities who in movies often had roles of this type of buzukia dancers I describe here specifically, the dancer-actress Martha Karagianni and actress-singer Zozo Sapountzaki, the "Queen of the Night", as she is called (she's 91 and thriving!).

Martha Karagianni:

Zozó Sapountzaki / Greek Buzukia '68:

And this Zozo video for some costume inspiration:

(By the way Zozo at her 91st birthday party in May:

It has nothing to do with your question but I felt like saying it. I am gonna add an evil eye emoji for good measure 🧿)

Now of course there is lightness but there is no humour in all this or the humour is minimal.

Epitheórisi (revue)

Revue is a theatrical genre that has been huge in Greece up until the noughties. Revue is a satirical and comical theatrical play which does a lot of commentary on political and social matters. The Epitheorisi, like Revue in general, features most of the time dance intervals or sketches with burlesque or burlesque-like ballets. The dances are sexy but again they are not too tacky / cheap or too vulgar. They can be tacky / suggestive but there is a limit usually. The ballets often sing as well and their lyrics may be comical or satirical in the context of the play.

Some recent epitheorisi plays.

An epitheorisi poster of 1894.

And OF COURSE Zozo in an Epitheorisi play.

So in Buzukia you get the tavern / restaurant and sensual aspect of it whereas in Epitheorisi you get the theatrical and funny / tacky vibe. So if you blend these things I told you, you can create some sort of possible Greek situation. Like, a small Epitheorisi number in a well known Buzukia centre. And the character can be from a simple member of the ballet, talented in dancing or singing or a little humour, to an absolute diva that can combine it all. Just take note that it was never too obscene and even though the clothing could be very sexy, there was no stripping beyond underwear unless then it became a different type of situation that involved sex work. And also there is more orientalism in Greek entertainment than in western burlesque.

[greekconcertstatus]

#Acropolis #Athens #Greece

[kvadosh]

[parisispantelis]

Με το Βοριά - Μελάς Δημήτρης / Σικελίδης Σωτήρης

[margaretkart]

You know what's missing from me to draw? The Olympians in modern times in bouzoukia

Them drunk, laughing, dancing having a great time. Yeeeeah that's what was missing ☝🏻

[leopardom]

Emma what have you done I can't get bouzoukia Käärijä out of my mind. Ωρε τσα τσα τσα πάμε παιδιά *λουλουδού τον λούζει με γαρύφαλλα*

ΑΧΑΧΧΑΧΑΧΑΧΑ δεν το πιστεύω ότι σ’αρεσε τόσο πολύ 😭

ριπ τώρα θα μου κολλήσει κι εμένα

[amaranthoi]

Greek cabbie music is unmatched. I’m transported to bouzoukia at 8 in the morning

[lorum-strap]

Manos pt. 1

MANOS

 Deep aromatic skin. A bartender in a taverna. He smelled of cigarettes, bitter sweet compari, disaronno, Mastika with lemon and pipire. Not all at once. It was the flood of memory that made me associate these scents with him. The flavors stuck to my tongue. Just as he stuck to the psyche.

    The taverna called “Fidiou 2” located in Athens, Greece. Fidiou translates to snake funny enough. If I want to be reminded of his essence I will lite a freshly rolled cigarette let it burn by a window like an incense. The nicotine honey that collects on the paper - I will touch to my lips. I will put compari and lime in a shot glass, swirl it around with my finger and suck on it until I get a touch of arousal. Then listen to his voice note that ends with “Kisses Goodnight.”

 A local girl in Athena brought my friend and I to Fidou. We entered the alley in which the tavern was perfectly placed. I was simply enchanted. The energy of the people in the street really fulfilled every small fantasy I had around the European way of life. Traditional music echoed off the marble buildings that towered over us. A meloncholy voice be the proud possessor of a middle aged woman with a tambourine. Accompanying her stunning vibrato, a well seasoned bouzoukia player. Very similar to a mandolin in sound and design. United their soft trance like melodies reverberating around us. 

 Upon entering this place I noticed him sitting at a table and thought to myself - what a beautiful man. I don’t think he noticed me. I was fixed on his traditional zorro-esque, young Jack Sparrow type energy. He stood out from the others. When asked what my type is in a man. I always say its never really physical but more energetic. I am attracted to the man who seeks, who ponders, who embodies. Something I’m reluctant to admit- someone who is slightly troubled at a caliber that doesn’t cause much harm. When you are curious you are always searching for other. Someone who challenges their current state in attempts to evolve.  I know this from the direction in which he gazes - down to the ground. But his shoulders are strong and reach up to the sky. So I know he will find what he’s looking for. 

The staff darted in and out with trays of shots and Greek tapas. They’re all so warm to one another. They were hugging, laughing and sharing kisses cheek to cheek in the European fashion. Shots were poured and the crew broke out into song before they were taken. Their arms layed over each others shoulders smiling from ear to ear. Ive never felt so safe around a group of strangers allowing their love to be shamelessly expressed. It was infectious. After a good many shots we danced to the next party location, this one more modern with a Dj playing mostly American top 40 from 2016. 

My company for the greek portion of my trip were Rea and Nefeli. Rea being a half greek girl from the states strong in her conviction and a great love for the culture. Nefeli, a full blown Greek and very proud to say so. Both unique and gorgeous. 

  We were receiving a lot of attention from the opposite sex. The attention was very respectful and never predatory. The boys were cute and very fun although it was the man I saw at Fidou who pulled up a chair and sat in the front of my mind.

The girls and I danced, sang and laughed until the black sky turned a dark blue. Initiation to the break of dawn. We had been out for a while. A few of the people from Fidou 2 had gotten off work and walked past the small club, rolling their cigarettes, staggering a bit dressed in black and grey colors. I loved their style. Piercings, Mohawks, and buzz cuts. Less punk and more dark bohemian in dress some could say- grunge. Us girls really enjoyed their company. There is something about a sweet and salty mix of characters that are biologically magnetic towards one another.  I asked one of the bartenders from Fidou about the guy with the small hoop earrings, low ponytail and white shirt. Ahhh! Manos! He declared. Yes, yes! Where is he tonight? Ehh he is not here tonight he works at the bar tomorrow - You should come by! He said in a thick Armenian accent. Looking towards the girls my eyes lit up. They chuckled and teased me a bit. Once my compass points a certain direction its hard for me to steer away until its proven unworthy of my attention. So I had to give it a shot.

[loumandforyou]

For the 2 greek iwtv fans: I think post Dubai, Armand should have gone to μπουζούκια (bouzoukia) to have an actually healthy coping mechanism for his divorce. It'd be funnier if Louis did it too.

[tzortz-clooney]

New years eve, forget about parties, dinners and bouzoukia

Stay in and play Lethal Company with the boyz

[businessnews24]

Έλεγχοι στα νυχτερινά κέντρα: Η ΑΑΔΕ «έκλεισε τραπέζι» τα Σαββατόβραδα στα μπουζούκια και ο τζίρος που εμφανίζουν μεγάλωσε κατά 50%

«Φωτιά στα σαββατόβραδα», βάζουν οι αλλαγές στην εποπτεία των νυχτερινών καταστημάτων από τον ελεγκτικό μηχανισμό της Ανεξάρτητης Αρχής Δημοσίων Εσόδων (ΑΑΔΕ), ο οποίος εφαρμόζεται από τις αρχές του 2025 ηλεκτρονικά και σε πραγματικό χρόνο. Άμεσα, μέσα σε μόλις ένα μήνα εφαρμογής τους, οδήγησαν σε αύξηση κατά 40% έως και 50% στους τζίρους που δηλώνουν τα νυχτερινά κέντρα διασκέδασης!

Πηγή: https://www.protothema.gr/economy/article/1605441/epiheirisi-puretos-to-savvatovrado-oi-eleghoi-eferan-50-auxisi-tzirou-sta-bouzoukia/

[gemsofgreece]

On modern Laikó, Bouzoukia and Vasilis Karras

Many difficult words, I know 🥹 I have talked before about some genres that are specific to Greek music; one of them is Laikó, which developed during the 50s-60s from rembétiko music. Laiko means "by or for the people" and it can roughly be translated as "popular music". At the time, however, it sounded nothing like what is known as pop in western music scene. It was called laiko because it wasn't chamber or classical upscale music - it was music addressed to everyday people whom it was expressing, their joys, their sufferings, their experience.

In the 80s, laiko music evolved more and diverged into what is now "modern laiko". We can safely say that classic laiko and modern laiko are now quite different genres, different enough that one can like one but not the other, but both express the feelings of everyday people. Modern laiko especially focused on love and heartbreak songs.

The popularity of modern laiko was established in Greek nightlife entertainment venues that are called "bouzoukia". Bouzoukia did develop around 50s-60s too, as taverns with musicians and dancers, however they morphed into their current form around the 80s like the modern laiko music. They go hand in hand.

Bouzoukia are now large venues with live music that open late at night and usually shut at dawn. People usually sit at tables and get drinks there, although some offer food as well. People also dress up to go there, especially women don glitzy dresses. Most bouzoukia have a music program featuring two singers or more. The quality of the singer and the music played depends on the shop and can vary greatly - from plain bad (which earned them the nickname σκυλάδικα - skyládika, dog places) to some of the most famous singers of the laiko / pop music scene. This can also be argued for modern laiko in general; it can vary from instant classics to cheap songs made purely for entertainment. The classic laiko, on the other hand, has way more consistent quality, if not guaranteed.

The way you show your enjoyment or appreciation for the music / singing in bouzoukia has become a well known trait of the Greeks. In bouzoukia Greeks open champagnes or other bottles of drinks and offer them to the singers, they break plates, they throw napkins or they buy disks with flowers - usually carnations or roses - with which they rain on the object of their appreciation; the singer, someone who dances, a person from their company etc

One of the most famous singers of modern laikó and one of the most emblematic figures of bouzoukia was Vasilis Karrás, who passed away a couple of days ago, but I thought of making this post after Christmas.

Vasilis Karras was also a composer and lyricist besides singer, however he was especially loved for his heavy, masculine voice which went well with his trad streetwise looks. He represented the old-school man, the brooding archetype with the good, honest heart . He was a person loved and respected by his peers, known for his generosity. He passed away at the age of 70 after COVID-19 complications and a long battle with cancer.

RIP Vasilis

An example of Greeks showing their love by throwing an entire flower field in Vasilis' feet.

And as a tribute song, even more so like the proper 90s child I am, what more appropriate choice than ΓΥΡΙΣΕ ( COME BACK). Fun fact: the song is also known by a verse in the chorus, Σπάει η φωνή μου σίδερα (Spai i foní mu síthera), which means "my voice bends iron" and, as you understand, it is one of the most memorable lyrics in Greek pop culture.

EDIT: It's trending now and I stumbled onto it; Unboxholics, popular YouTubers, made a tour video in Karras' farm and his collection of vintage cars two years ago - he was evidently a man who loved life and wanted others to enjoy it with him. I see why his fans call him "big guy", "lord" and "king".

❤️

[greekconcertstatus]

#Nafpaktos #Greece 😍

Photo by @thodorisnaoum

[parisispantelis]

Περασμένες μου αγάπες - Κουρούμαλος Διονύσης / Παρίσης Παντελής

[margaretkart]

the Olympians but it’s a New Year’s party, what would happen

Oooh chaos would unfold!

The party would be filled with alcohol, loud music and dancing

They would make Olympus look like bouzoukia ( the instrument but also Greek nightclubs that feature laïkó music)

Basically everyone gets drunk Dionysus would make sure the drinks get refilled so no one is left unsatisfied

Traditional Greek music, pop ones, you name it they leave nothing behind to dance for

Zeus and Poseidon definitely have managed to sneak in some rooms away from their wives for their usual activities (if you know you know 😅)

Of course Hera and Amphitrite will notice and drag them out before they do anything stupid (new years party is the exception for punishments)

Everyone gets drunk (expect Dionysus who he can't) but that ain't gonna stop him for making Apollo and Hermes commit their silly pranks

Hades would dance zeibekiko (traditional Greek dance) while Persephone cheers for him

Eros would make some people fall in love with eachother (to see what will occur) and would definitely tell Psyche all the details

Dionysus would dance with Ariadne most of the night 😌

Broken bottles, plates, food, trash, clothes on the floor everywhere ,by the end of the night, which surely the party would not stop until morning

The party would a mess but would do it all over again

[withered-rose-unbreakable-lotus]

My sister went to a seminar of her side schooling (i don't know if it's equivalent to cram school so we'll call it side school for now) with my father about how to choose which profession to follow and dude was talking about the importance of following your heart until he got to the artistic jobs in which case, he said, you should have a plan b, cause these professions never pay enough here in Greece....

The irony. Ask any Greek about the past and they'll all brag we created amazing civilizations, we created artworks so powerful they are known worldwide and bullshit like that, but if you dare follow an art profession you will find no job, no actual guidance on how to look for said job, you will be mocked, not taken seriously and bullshit like that. Fucking pretentious biased pigs. "Actor means light" my ass, why don't you hire new actors and only let old ones take big roles until they rot on the fucking stage? Plan b. You follow a plan b, sucker, the art scene of Greece needs revamping and society to quit acting like they don't pay their ass off at Greek folk music clubs and wanting to party at bouzoukia clubs till the first hours of the morning. You mock new singers but you pay for old ones with your liver bitch. Act important, go ahead.