With the Lyre and the Fiddle bow (Doxari): Memories and Contemporary Creation


The renowned "Diva," the oldest and most cherished Cretan lyre, made its way to Rethymno under special security measures for a unique mission. For the first time, it traveled to be featured in the exhibition "With the Lyre and the Fiddle bow (Doxari): Memories and Contemporary Creation."

For the exhibition, the lyres of Nikos Xylouris and Kostas Mountakis were brought to Rethymno from Athens. As shared by Mountakis' family, he owned two lyres. Mrs. Mountakis lent the exhibition the one he cherished most, the instrument with which the legendary musician composed his greatest hits. "I’m certain this is the one Kostas would have chosen," she told us.

Additionally, the lyre of master Andreas Rodinos and the lyre of “Kareklas” were displayed in a dedicated showcase.

The profound emotional impact of the exhibition was entirely justified. The lyre is deeply intertwined with Crete—its history, traditions, present, and future. "The holy and sacred treasures of Cretans worldwide are here in Rethymno," remarked some visitors upon viewing the four "sacred" lyres. Among them was the lyre of 1745, the oldest folk instrument in Greece and one of the oldest in Europe.

In mainland Greece, the tradition of lyre survives only in certain areas of Macedonia (Drama and Agia Eleni in Serres-Anastenaria), while it has almost entirely disappeared from most of the Aegean islands. In Crete, as ethnomusicologist Lambros Liavas explained, the lyre would not have endured if it hadn’t taken on the role of a powerful national symbol of the island’s cultural identity. Its survival was also dependent on a series of significant morphological and functional adaptations, which, from the 1930s onward, brought it closer to the sound and playing techniques of the violin. The original lyre evolved into the brass lyre, which was eventually succeeded by the common lyre.

The Lyre exhibition was divided into two sections:
The first section focused on the lyre as a traditional folk musical instrument. Thirty lyres from Crete, along with examples from Kasos and Karpathos, were displayed in specially designed showcases on the ground floor of the Gallery. Pear-shaped lyres, the lyre, the common lyre, and the brass lyre, as well as violin lyres with their bows, offered visitors a journey through the past and present of Cretan folk music. Among them was the renowned "Diva," affectionately named by musicians as the oldest and most cherished lyre of Crete.

Deeply intertwined with the history and culture of Crete, the lyre continues to hold a significant place in the island’s folk music tradition. With its bow and delicate sound, it eloquently expresses the sorrows, joys, and dreams of Cretans everywhere.

The lyres were kindly provided by the Museum of Folk Instruments - Phoebus Anogeianakis Collection, whose collaboration made this initiative possible.

The section was curated by Lambros Liavas, ethnomusicologist, Assistant Professor of the University of Athens and Director of the Museum of Folk Instruments - Phoebus Anogeianakis Collection.

The second section explored the lyre as a source of inspiration for contemporary art. Thirty-three (33) Cretan artists drew inspiration from the lyre and its bow, creating original works that were showcased for the first time.

The participating artists included Alexandros Androulakis, Stella Androulidaki, Aristodimos, Thanos Vidakis, Nikos Viskadourakis, Giorgos Georgiadis, Theophilos Geredakis, Giorgos Gyparakis, Manolis Zacharioudakis, Andreas Theodorakis, Giannis Klinakis, Giorgos Kounalis, Giannis Kounalis, Manolis Koundourakis, Ioannis  Lassithiotakis, Michael Mandadakis, Michael Manousakis, Marina Maravelaki, Yannis Markantonakis, Stelios Markattatis, Yannis Neonakis, Thomas Papadoperakis, Ilias Papailiakis, Antonis Petroulakis, Sofia Portalaki, Manolis Skevakis, Vassilis Solidakis, Lili Stefanaki-Antoniadi, Yannis Stefanakis, Vangelis Tzermias, Yannis Tzermias, Maria Tsouknaki and Maria Choulaki. These artists enthusiastically contributed to this celebration of the lyre, a timeless symbol deeply embedded in the tradition of Cretans across generations.

The exhibition also included a work by Lefteris Kanakakis, the renowned artist who brought honor to Crete with his contributions, alongside others who returned to their birthplace to participate. Acclaimed artists and young, up-and-coming talents came together at the "L. Kanakakis" Gallery. Through their works and the presentation of the traditional lyre, they demonstrated that the Cretan lyre continues to enliven folk tradition and inspire creativity.

The artistic section was curated by Nota Karamanea, Curator at the "L. Kanakakis" Gallery.

The exhibition opened on Friday, March 27, 1998. Complementing the memorable evening were the welcome and introduction by the Museum’s Director, Maria Marangou, and an insightful analysis by ethnomusicologist Lambros Liavas.

The exhibition remained on display at the Gallery until Sunday, May 17, 1998, during which guided tours for children and adults, educational programs, and lectures were held.

As part of the exhibition, a lecture was delivered on Saturday, March 28, 1998, at noon at the Conservatory of Rethymnon by ethnomusicologist Lambros Liavas, titled "The Cretan Lyre and its Metamorphoses."

Exhibition Sponsor: Portalakis Zacharias, Stock Exchange S.A.
Support for Artists’ Transport: Ioannis Chalkiadakis, Rethymniaki
Radio Sponsors: Radio Rethymno - TEAM Fm