‘I don’t hide. That’s how I am.’
Let’s speak a bit more personally. What were the first songs you loved? I grew up in Crete listening to traditional and popular music. But I became a DJ. A cousin and I ran a disco. I listened to everything, from Gavalas and Dionysiou to the Stones, Queen, Police and Alice Cooper. My generation wanted rock. But I also liked ABBA and the Bee Gees. I started venturing into culture in Athens as a student. I was a fan of the cinema club at Alkyonis. They say you only know [popular singer] Remos. Antonis Remos is a friend. I listen to Terzis too, he’s tops. I like Protopsalti, Arvanitaki and Galani, of the earlier ones, and many more. I don’t hide. I want people to know who they’re voting for. That’s how I am; that’s how I want people to see me. When I look in the mirror, I want to be okay with myself. We live in an era where light pop rules everything from Eurovision to the state telephone provider. Does that seem normal to you? As long as it’s not provocative, I don’t mind. It’s not for me but I don’t have a problem with anyone who likes it. It’s the downside of globalization. I grew up with books. I used to feel bad if I couldn’t keep up with a conversation. Do you remember the first book you read? It was «The Caucasian Chalk Circle» by Brecht and I didn’t understand a word. Some adults were reading it and I got hold of it. We all used to pretend we were clever in those days. Then I went on to Freud, and I didn’t understand that either. But I got in with a crowd, if only by the window, and started to discover things. Nothing goes to waste, though. At the ministry, I learn about things. Like the performances at Epidaurus. I went for years, but now I have learnt the depth of tragedy. Do you have time to read? No, unfortunately. But I got a book in America about antiquity export gangs. I’ve just about finished it, but I’m reading very slowly.
