In the village of Evropos in northern Greece, Danis Koumartzis meticulously crafts the wooden sound box of a traditional lyre, which he then covers with animal hide and strings with nine strings that, when plucked, evoke the sound of a modern guitar. At 41, Koumartzis is perpetuating a family legacy by creating replicas of ancient Greek musical instruments, inspired by centuries-old frescoes and vases.
"It all began with our father, who started this as a hobby. He used to make various Greek traditional instruments," Koumartzis recounts in his workshop, adorned with images of ancient instruments and their contemporary replicas. "About 12 years ago, we took the plunge and made our first replica, an ancient Greek lyre attributed to Hermes," he says, referencing the Greek god believed to have invented the instrument.
These meticulously crafted instruments are sought after by professional musicians, composers, academics, and collectors, and have even been featured in films, including the recent remake of the classic Hollywood movie Ben Hur. For those who play these instruments, they serve as a portal to the past.
"The lyre, in its emotional resonance, creates a sensation that transcends the ordinary," explains Giorgos Tsomeidis, a 22-year-old student of the ancient Greek lyre in Thessaloniki. "For me, ancient Greek music is a form of initiation, a journey into the past that also opens pathways to the future."
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