Songs from the Labyrinth: Is it Better to Remember or Forget?
Ruth Padel gives an illustrated talk on her novel Daughters of the Labyrinth, set in West Crete, which leads, like Ariadne’s thread, to the buried past of the Jews of Crete. Cretan singer and musician Kalia Lyraki sings and plays music mentioned in the book.
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Recorded in the Friends room at the Hellenic Centre 9 March 2022
Ruth Padel
Taught ancient Greek at Oxford and has lived in Crete on and off for many years, most recently giving poetry workshops at Etz Hayyim Synagogue, Chania. She is Professor of Poetry at King’s College London and Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Find out more here
‘A moving, superbly written novel:’ Irish Times, Best Books 2021
‘Transporting story-telling, steeped in the history and folklore of Crete.’ Sunday Times
‘Took me deeper into Beethoven than many biographies,’ New York Times
‘Bold, breathtaking – and on the Eroica, spectacular’. Times Literary Supplement.
‘Absolutely gorgeous poems, beautifully written, full of wonderful imagery. ‘ Jessica Duchen, Best Books on Beethoven
Kalia Lyraki
Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist specialising in the music of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. She studied Ethnomusicology BA at SOAS and Ethnochoreology MA at Roehampton University. Career highlights include performing at WOMAD, BBC Proms and for HRH the Prince of Wales. Her music can be heard in films (Never Let Go), documentaries (Sappho: Love and Life in Lesvos), and video-games (Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey and Origins). Collaborations include projects with Ross Daly, Natasha Atlas, Zohar Fresco and Kit Downs. She is currently completing her debut album featuring women’s music from her homeland, Crete. Find out more