Stella Papalamprou is a Greek singer, composer and lyricist focused on traditional pieces and instruments from her homeland, Grevena, where Epirote traditions, Macedonian elements, Vlach/Aromanian influences and the pastoral repertoires of the Pindus mountains converge. At the same time, her music also incorporates instruments and sonic elements connected to Pontic culture, reflecting the historical presence of Pontic communities in Greek Macedonia. Stella will be releasing the pieces from this album over the coming months.
For now, I wanted to share this piece with you, Protanixin, sung by Stella in the Pontic dialect of Greek, accompanied by the tulum (Pontic bagpipe) of Giorgos Vergos — who also plays Pontic lyra, saz, traditional flute and bulgari — with the davul of Nikos Fillipides.
Together, they bring to the stage the living musical heritage of their region and are open to conversations regarding performances, dates and collaboration conditions.
Please feel free to contact me for further information and booking enquiries.
Click to watch the video
Protanixin (Early Springtime, Πρωτάνοιξην) is a traditional love song from Pontus, sung in the Pontic Greek dialect. Rooted in the ancient oral tradition of the Pontic Greeks, this song carries the characteristic melodic language of the region — raw, intimate, and timeless.
| Lyrics in the Pontic Greek dialect
Πρωτάνοιξην καιρός έτον, πουλί μ’, έρθα σ’ εσά -ι Και ντ’ έμορφα ’χι͜ονόβρεχ̌εν ο Θεόν οξ̌ωκά -ι; Η καρδία μ’ ζαΐφκον έν’, τ’ εσόν η εγάπ’ νικά ’το Φαρμάκωσoν με από μακρά, κανείς πα μ’ εγροικά ’το Αούτο τ’ εσόν η εγάπ’ άψιμον έτον βρούλαν Εσάρεψεν το καρδόπο μ’, ετυλίεν ση γούλα μ’ Μίαν κάπως να σ̌ασ̌ιρεύ’ς και γελαστά τερείς με Όλια του κόσμου τα καλά το πλαεύ’ς και χαρί͜εις με |
Lyrics in English
It was early springtime, my bird (my love), when I came to you; and how beautiful it was, the way God sent snowy rain outside. My heart is weak, and your love conquers it; poison me from afar, so no one else will realize. This love of yours is like fire in the reeds; it surrounded my little heart and wrapped itself around my neck. The moment you falter, lost in a daze and look at me with a smile so bright, you gather all the world’s hidden grace and gift it to me, a harvest of light. |