Dear Listeners, Αγάπη, Τσίπουρο, Μπουζούκι & Roll is about to take you to the other side of Greek culture: we will depart from Smyrna to the traditional music of Epirus! Between both, an unexpected connection arises, deep from the origins of an art called music. However, the landscape is now totally different. Luckly, we can […]

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Episode 9: Ηπειρώτικα (Epirus)

Freedom of expression is the principle that fosters democratic societies. It is very important to protect it because it allows pluralism of ideas and free communication. Interestingly enough, many Western societies rediscovered the importance of this principle after experiencing strong regimes and consequently included it in their Constitution. However, the downside is represented by the concept of “hate speech”. This term covers any kind of hatred based on intolerance expressed online and offline against groups of people or individuals. We talked about this with Ana Rodrigues Afonso, Psychologist and Human Rights Trainer for the Council of Europe. Together we discussed the impact of Hate speech on society and what can we all do in order to promote tolerance in any kind of public and private debate.

When Freedom of Expression Becomes Hate Speech

Is Islam Feminist? In this new episode of our podcast we address two very hot topics, feminism and religion. We welcome our guest today, Weam Nafea, a dear friend who will explain us better what it means to be a woman for Islam. From the precepts of the Holy Quran to the birth of Islamic feminism in Egypt, follow us on this all-female journey in which we will try to shed light on this debated topic, debunking myths and breaking stereotypes.

A Talk about Islam and Feminism

Originated in the damned shores of Asia Minor, there are songs still preserving the History of Smyrna – nowadays Izmir. It is a music with tons of bitterness, probations, and losses – but, for sure, it has a clímax of overcome (and it’s suitable to dance a Tango with tragedy). From its origins many centuries […]

Episode 8: Σμυρνέικα (Smyrna)

We are back once again with our dear guest Mario D’Avino, but this time to share his medical knowledge with us. Mario works in a blood transfusion centre in Italy and today we will discuss with him all things related to blood and bone marrow donation. Why donating is so important? Who can become a donor? Which are the benefits and how can we overcome fear? During our chat we tried to dispel the myths about donation and shed light on this topic that is still little known, especially among young people. If you want to become a blood donor and give your contribution, contact the blood transfusion centre closest to you for more information. Give blood, save a life.

How to Save a Life?

Αγάπη, Τσίπουρου, Μπουζούκι & Roll would be incomplete without a special episode dedicated to the traditional music of Cyprus. Not only Greece and Cyprus share many common roots, as both countries have a certain passion for dedicating songs to each other (and exchange votes at Eurovision). In this episode full of surprises and guests, we […]

Episode 7: Κύπρος (special)

Here’s a challenge for you: keep track of how many times you hear someone encouraging a child to embrace Art as a future career. When it comes to Arts, in fact, there’s always a lot of social pressure on people willing to pursue it as a career. Italians, for instance, have a saying that goes like: “impara l’arte e mettila da parte” (lit. “learn art and put it aside”), and this isn’t very motivating… Our guest today is Mario D’Avino, doctor, psychotherapist, and theatre director. He’s the living proof that we can embrace more than one passion at a time and make a career out of it. With him, we discussed Art in school, the benefits of artistic self-expression, and how COVID-19 affected artists.

Choosing Art as a Career

Αγάπη, Τσίπουρο, Μπουζούκι & Roll is calling all stations to Πόντος, to the coast of the Black Sea. Our local informer is Βασίλης Γιορανίδης, and we will have the chance to have a deeper experience of Ποντιακά through the magnificient voice of Μελήνα Χατζικαμάνου – who presented the first live performance for the dear listeners […]

Episode 6: Ποντιακά (Pontos)

When it comes to how we celebrate Christmas, more than ever before the gap between past and present is very clear. As Christmas is the celebration par excellence associated with extended family reunions, this year we are all called to review our priorities… For this special episode we invited Hélène, aka the Mère Noël of the Volunteer’s House: she managed to bring our families close to us in Thessaloniki and she will tell you how! Listen to our chat in which we share our family traditions, recall our best memories from childhood to the last Christmas and discuss our plans for the incoming one!

Christmas in Time of Coronavirus

We have already walked through the lands of pre-war Ρεμπέτικα, so in episode 5, the time has arrived to continue, by crossing the border and discover what’s out there, beyond the Second World War and τεκέδες! And what better guide than Σώτος Ζαχαριάδης – a painter of these musical landscapes and native speaker of μπουζούκι […]

Episode 5: Ρεμπέτικα ΙΙ (special)

Today is the day to take stock of the development of Social Media and the effects that their enhancements bring in our lives. Can we still consider Social Media only as entertaining platforms? Indeed, we can use them to connect with people, from a direct friend request to dating or applying for a job, but what Facebook, Instagram & co. are showing us is that virtual connections hide the same dangers as real life. Join Sara and Chiara in this extensive discussion on the topic!

Social Media & Us: A Filter on Our Lives?

Come aboard Αγάπη, Τσίπουρο, Βουζούκι & Roll! We suggest the dear listeners to take their best coat, as we are going to depart, together with Δημήτρης Χατζηπέμου, to a trip having Thrace as destination. Between Greek, Bulgarian and Turkish lands, Thrace’s musical traditions of Θρακιώτικα prevail nowadays. To get to know them goes hand in […]

Episode 4: Θρακιώτικα (Thrace)

Under the starry sky we had last night, we recorded this episode with a special guest and friend: Silvana from Portugal. We discussed the reasons that stand behind the horoscope and what makes many of us still believe in the zodiac signs. Reading the horoscope is something that many people still do: is this just superstition or we are fascinated by what the stars have to say to us? Click on play to know more!

To Believe Or Not To Believe? Horoscope Edition

Beware: the present episode will have double the action and triple the excitement! Not only will a new presenter… be… presented – as we will be set in an adventure, together with Δημήτρης Μαυροματάκης, through one of the most important traditions of Greek music, Ρεμπέτικα. The Greek Blues, as some say! The present edition will […]

Episode 3: Ρεμπέτικα (special)

This episode is dedicated to beauty. We are aware that the trap of stereotypes is always around the corner, and that it affects both women and men. But we believe that exists a way to experience beauty in a more confident way. We invited Carolina, a volunteer from Colombia, to discuss the issue together.

From Fairy Tales to Reality: What Kind of Beauty to Embrace?

Balkan Hotspot Radio is a podcast about everything from music to politics. The shows are created and produced by volunteers from the NGO USB. Stay tuned and subscribe!

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