Whose Is This Song by Eleni Elefterias Kostakithis Book release 30th November 2025
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Eleni Eleftherias Kostakithis discusses with Vivi James Eleni's new book 'Whose Is This Song' about the exploration of how songs have crossed borders in the Balkans.
The musical tapestry of the Balkans is interwoven with a rich diversity of influences, reflecting its complex history of cultural and political shifts. Songs in this region seamlessly traversed borders, becoming shared expressions across different countries and communities.
This cross-pollination was facilitated by the historical movements of peoples due to trade, conflict, and migration within the Balkans' patchwork quilt of ethnicities. Traditional melodies often adapted to local languages and customs while maintaining core elements recognizable across boundaries, such as rhythmic patterns or instrumental arrangements.
In times of both partition and unity, music served as a vehicle for preserving cultural identity amidst changing sovereignties. Its ability to transcend linguistic and national demarcations speaks to an enduring regional symbiosis, where music not only became communal but also essential—in essence, creating a repertoire that remains robustly Balkan despite nationalist attempts at appropriation or reinvention.
