“The Neighborhood of Angels” traveled from Athens to New York –A Centenary Tribute to Manos Hadjidakis

New York, October 24, 2025 – The music of Manos Hadjidakis, an eternal source of inspiration and Greek pride, came alive on the evening of October 23 at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinityin Manhattan, during a dazzling event dedicated to celebrating 100 years since the birth of the great Greek composer.
The event, titled “From Athens to New York: A Centenary Tribute to Manos Hadjidakis,” was organized by the Consulate General of Greece in New York, in collaboration with the Athens Conservatoire and the Choir of theCathedral of the Holy Trinity, marking a special moment of cultural connection between Greece and the United States.

The evening opened with a masterful performance by Manos Kitsikopoulos, pianist of the Athens Conservatoire, who skillfully interpreted works such as the legendary “Let’s Take a Walk to the Moon,” conveying with sensitivity the lyrical and universal spirit of Hadjidakis’ music.

The Choir of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, under the direction of distinguished baritone Kostas Tsourakis, the Cathedral’s music director, performed masterpieces including “I Will Tell You a Myth” and “Children of Piraeus.” The harmony and intensity of the voices moved the audience, demonstrating the timelessness and power of Greek musical tradition.

The event was introduced by Archimandrite Chrysostomos Gilbert, head of the Cathedral, who expressed his joy that the Cathedral hosted “an evening where faith, culture, and art come together in a shared experience of spiritual elevation.”

The Consul General of Greece in New York, Ms. Iphigenia Kanara, warmly thanked the audience for their response, noting that “Manos Hadjidakis, although he lived mainly in Greece, also spent six important years of his life in New York. Tonight’s concert honors not only his memory and legacy but also his deep connection to this city he loved.”
Ms. Kanara also highlighted the work of the Athens Conservatoire, which for over a century and a half has developed multifaceted educational and cultural activities in music, dance, and theater, noting that one of the goals of the event is to foster international collaborations to promote Greek culture.

Dr. Nikolaos Tsouhlos, President of the Athens Conservatoire, emphasized that “Hadjidakis is embedded in Greece’s cultural DNA” and described the concert as “a new bridge of cultural collaboration between Athens and New York.” He also stressed that the Athens Conservatoire, “with a history of over 150 years, continues to cultivate talented young musicians, giving them opportunities to develop and represent Greece worldwide.”
Conductor Kostas Tsourakis, in his own address, described Manos Hadjidakis as “a poet of sound and a philosopher of melody,” emphasizing that “through his art, he bridged East and West, classical and folk, the personal and the universal.”

The evening concluded with warm applause from the large audience, who recognized the profound emotional and artistic value of the tribute. The Consulate General of Greece in New York expresses its heartfelt gratitude to all contributors, musicians, and above all, the audience, who filled the Holy Trinity Cathedral with their presence and emotion.

With the enthusiastic participation and love of the audience, the music of Manos Hadjidakis traveled once again across seas and borders — reminding us that his melodies are not merely sounds, but bridges of heart and memory that continue to unite Greece with the world.

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