Themis Papaminas, the Musician

If one were to associate retsina with a musical instrument, it could be none other than the bouzouki. Under the sounds of this stringed, lute-like instrument, generations and generations of Greeks spent wonderful moments with their friends in koutoukia and taverns, enjoying a few glasses of retsina and singing Tsitsanis, Vamvakaris, Zambetas. The musician and bouzouki teacher Themis Papaminas could not be different from the majority of Greeks. With one small difference: that he does not sit at a table, but drinks retsina while on the stage, taking care of the entertainment of the audience.

"Personally, I have associated retsina with my student years and the venues associated with rebetiko."

GOOD OLD FUN.

The picture accompanying the text was taken in close proximity to the former prison of the Jedi Kule. Several songs were written about the life there and the difficulties experienced by the prisoners. "A door opens, a door closes, but the key is double, what has he done and thrown him in prison" wrote Apostolos Kaldaras in 1945, in the opening verses of "Night without a moon". Songs that were sung almost exclusively in taverns and koukoukia, in the company of good friends who opened their hearts and poured out their innermost souls. And on the table, there should be a jug of retsina and good appetizers. Then, modern Friday night television entertainment entered our lives...

"With the experience I've gained playing music in restaurants that only sell retsina or operate with a focus on retsina, I can say with certainty that it belongs to the preferences of all age groups," says Themis Papaminas. "Personally, I have associated retsina with my student years and the venues associated with rebetiko. Let's say, the 'Muhabeti' in Olympos, which unfortunately has closed, the 'Pire kai bradiazei' in Papanastasiou, the 'Hatzi Baxe' at the western entrance of the city, the 'Tobourlika' in the center, the 'Kronos' in Vafopoulou. Retsina is one of the favorite drinks in Thessaloniki, with its presence on the table being quite frequent. After all, apart from being an ideal choice of drink, it is also the motivation to get together with friends".

RETSINA FOR ALL VIEWS.

Despite the fact that retsina is a type of wine - and a very Greek one at that - for Themis Papaminas it was not always appreciated by everyone. The reasons were many.

“For many years there was mainly industrialized retsina on the market, which admittedly was of low quality. The reason it was chosen was, usually, its economic price. Also, it was consumed together with carbonated soft drinks, to improve the taste. Some also added some cola type drink, since, due to the sugar, you could 'get high' with a small amount and relatively quickly. But, along with the popular bottled bottles, you always found in selected shops excellent handmade retsina, which is of course suitable for enjoying it plain. As far as I'm concerned there's a huge range of opinions on retsina, because of the range of its quality".

GEOGRAPHY AND ANTHROPOGEOGRAPHY.

All of us have clinked glasses of retsina and spent wonderful hours with friends. But where, according to Themis Papaminas, does this particular type of wine have the greatest appeal? Which areas has the musician identified with its consumption?

"It is certainly associated with popular social strata (not to say that it is not also enjoyed by our more affluent fellow citizens). So, with places that concern them: taverns, cafes, stadiums, student hangouts. The points of the city that come first to my mind are in Athonos square, in Ladadika, in Kapani, in Bit Pazar, around the Kamara and the Castles, as far as the wider center of Thessaloniki is concerned, while Toumba is the first area that comes to mind from the rest of the city. The population groups concerned are the working class and students, who are looking for something economical, as well as sports fans, who consume it before and after the stadium. Also, the regulars of the music venues related to folk music and the philosophy of the tavern as a place of entertainment".

"THERMOMETER" OF EMOTIONS.

After all, what is retsina for the Greek? Is it just limited to its consumption or is it something more? "Like all alcoholic drinks, retsina is connected to every emotion", explains the musician from Thessaloniki. "Sometimes it makes them more intense, while other times it moderates them, always with a reasonable amount of consumption. And yet: even though, in fact, it is a wine, it often becomes a reason to start something, to mobilize the company, to unite friends. It is certainly related to the mental state in which each consumer is, however, in my opinion, it mainly has a positive effect on our mood, helping to relax and offering short breaks from the difficult everyday life".

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