The voice of Sotiria. The soul of rebetiko. A performance unlike any other. A musical journey-tribute to Sotiria Bellou. The atmosphere is warm, almost intimate. A collective experience where we all share stories and songs and we come closer. Christina, on stage with her distinct presence – simple, graceful, and with a voice that pierces silence – she creates a feeling of deep connection.
The Nicosia International Festival 2025 presents this special musical performance “Sotiria’s Songs” featuring Christina Maxouri, on Thursday, 2 October, at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre at 20:30.
Setting off from the life and music of Sotiria Bellou, Christina Maxouri, accompanied by four folk musicians, blends theatre and music, words and testimonies, memories and melodies, and invites us to an evening filled with authenticity, emotion, and power.
“Sotiria’s Songs” is neither a concert nor a biography; it transcends the boundaries of stage, and moves fluidly between theatrical performance and musical experience. It creates an atmosphere of celebration. Christina Maxouri, an actress and singer, one of the most unique and distinctive voices of the young generations, breathes new life into Sotiria’s songs, alongside four folk musicians, and guides us through a journey across the life and songs of the unforgettable Bellou. A “handmade” musical universe, which touches the soul. Tsitsanis, Mitsakis, Papaioannou, Kaldaras, Savvopoulos, Moutsis, Lagios – they are all here, through the sounds and words that defined an entire era.
A journey that carries on
The performance premiered in the summer of 2021, in the framework of the Athens Epidaurus Festival. Since then, it has been staged to great acclaim in Athens (in three production cycles: Hammam, Plyfa, and Theatre of the New World), as well as at numerous festivals across Greece and abroad.
What they said about the performance
“Little stories flowing like water, a voice that steps into Bellou’s world without imitating her, an audience that either tears up or taps along to the rhythm. A legend comes alive before us, thanks to Christina Maxouri.” - Argyro Bozoni, LIFO
“The humility with which Christina Maxouri and her four musicians present Bellou’s life and interpret her songs allows spectators, regardless of age, to feel at ease to hum along.” – Ioanna Sotirchou, Efimerida ton Syntakton
“There’s something handmade about this work, every performance feels a little different from the last. Christina, seated on stage and surrounded by four exceptional musicians, addresses the audience as if among friends. The production premiered at the Athens Epidaurus Festival in 2021 and has since earned many “lives” – deservedly so.” – Xenia Georgiadou, Kathimerini
“A wonderful musical performance with songs and stories from the novel-like life of the uncompromising rebetiko singer Sotiria Bellou. When you hear ‘Siko psychi mou dose revma’, it still gives you chills even today.” - Electra Zargani, Documento
“That’s the magic of this work. It takes you into Bellou’s world, and with it, into the world of another Greece, leaving you blissfully free to wander. Christina Maxouri, with a voice that cuts to the bone, embodies simplicity and grace. Just like Bellou herself.” - Natassa Mastorakou, in.gr
“I don’t quite know how to explain it, but both the image of Christina Maxouri surrounded by her musicians and the naturalness of her interpretation open an honest, effortless passage into emotion - a quality that Bellou herself would have admired.” - Stella Charami, Monopoli.gr
“On this small, dimly lit stage, Christina Maxouri gives us far more than we expected. We found pieces of ourselves we had forgotten. For Christina Maxouri, words are not enough - only our applause.” - Zoi Dimitriou, Ladylike.gr
Credits
Concept: Dimitris Chaliotis
Artistic direction: Dimitris Chaliotis, Christina Maxouri
Set design: Sotiris Melanos
Costume design: Vana Giannoula
Hair: Thomas Galazoulas
Make-up: Anna Baltzi
Photography: Marili Zarkou, Giorgos Vangalis
Teaser Video: Stefanos Kosmidis
Vocals: Christina Maxouri
Musicians:
Bouzouki & vocals: Thodoris Xintaris
Bouzouki: Dimitris Koufogiogos
Guitar & vocals: Vasilis Prodromou
Accordion: Dimitris Koustas
Duration: 105΄
Age group: 15+
Tickets:
Available online via more.com:
http://bit.ly/4grNxB8 and the Nicosia Municipal Theatre box office (Monday - Friday 10:00-13:00).
Ticket prices:
VIP: €24/ €27
ZONE A: €23/ €25
ZONE B: €21/ €23
ZONE C: €19/ €21
ZONE D: €17/ €19
Reduced tickets are valid for: Children, students, soldiers, pensioners, large families, actors, people with disabilities (free) with presentation of relevant ID.
Information: 22797979 (Monday - Friday 10:00-13:00) &
http://bit.ly/3VjZ0ZG
Festival identity
Organisers: Nicosia Municipality, Nicosia For Art
Festival sponsors: OPAP Cyprus, more.com, Italian Embassy, Cyprus Public Transport
Supporters: Travelhouse, UCLan Cyprus, WINECORE, Gate Twenty Two Boutique Hotel, Classic Hotel Nicosia
Media sponsors: DIAS Publishing & SIGMA TV, LOVE FM 100.7, and “KATHIMERINI” newspaper