The work of Yannis Pantazis and Argy Kakissis has been covered by a wide range of global media since they first began in 2012.

Yannis and Symposion Cultural Center Bring Timeless Greek Music to the
Big Screen.

Yannis Pantazis long dreamed of scoring films. Now, the musician, instrument artisan, and co-founder of “Symposion Cultural Center” on the island of Santorini, who has shown tireless dedication to honoring his culture and his craft has made that dream a reality- Yannis’ music will
be featured in the upcoming Ridley Scott blockbuster, Gladiator II.

After Paramount heard one of his original compositions, the film’s production team knew the soft sound of Yannis’ flutes would make the Greco-Roman world truly sing! Ridley Scott’s direction of the much-anticipated sequel has led critics to call it an “epic Roman opera” and declare that, at 86 years old, he’s still got it! Ahead of its global release, many are suggesting that
the film will be a serious contender in all major award categories, with Denzel Washington already slated for Best Actor for his stunning performance. One critic from Los Angeles said that the film is able “to conjure the past while adding something new,” just like Yannis’ inspired
melodies, which bring the past firmly into the present.

In cinemas around the country on November 14th!

Global release November 22nd!
 

More about Yannis Pantazis - https://www.symposionsantorini.com/yannis-pantazis

October 17th, Kos Island, Yannis Pantazis Lecture at 20:30 "MUSIC AND MYTHOLOGY IN THE MEDICAL ARTS" The use of Apollo's Seven-String Lyre

Στις 17 Οκτωβρίου, στο νησί της Κώ, ομιλία του Γιάννη Πανταζή στις 20:30 "ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΜΥΘΟΛΟΓΙΑ ΣΤΙΣ ΙΑΤΡΙΚΕΣ ΤΕΧΝΕΣ" Η χρήση της Επτάχορδης Λύρας του Απόλλωνα

 
«Οταν στην Αθήνα του μεσοπολέμου οι αστοί έχουν καλεσμένους στο σπίτι τους, θα παίξουν στον φωνόγραφο κάτι εκλεπτυσμένο, κλασική μουσική ή ένα δημοφιλές τραγούδι, όχι πάντως δημοτική μουσική». Είναι σούρουπο και βρισκόμαστε στη Νάξο, στο κτήμα Κάμπονες, έναν ελαιώνα ηλικίας 600 έως 2.500 ετών, όπου για δεύτερη χρονιά πραγματοποιείται το φεστιβάλ «Μια βραδιά κάτω από την ελιά». Από ένα γραμμόφωνο 125 ετών ακούμε την πρώτη ηχογράφηση τσαμπούνας. Εδώ ο Κρίστοφερ Κινγκ, ο Αμερικανός μουσικολόγος που έμελλε να εξελιχθεί σε ειδήμονα της ελληνικής παραδοσιακής μουσικής, πρόκειται να μας μυήσει στα μυστικά της άγνωστης για εμάς «τσαμπούνας», ενός παραδοσιακού οργάνου που έχει μακρά παρουσία στο νησί· στο πλάι του ο μουσικοσυνθέτης Γιάννης Πανταζής μας μιλάει για την προσωπική σχέση του με το διονυσιακό όργανο.

A freak of nature, Santorini is a place of terrible beauty. The flooded caldera was created by a volcanic explosion three millennia ago, which blew the heart out of the island. A crescent of black and red cliffs plunges down to the submerged volcano, with two smoldering craters marooned in the deep blue sea. Whitewashed villages are honeycombed out of the cliff face. This vista has turned Santorini into one of the world’s most recognizable destinations. For seven months a year, a deluge of cruise ships and catamarans, newlyweds and bucket-listers, descend on this arid little island. Beyond the drama of the caldera, vineyards and villages, ancient ruins and incredible frescoes, challenging hikes and mystical chapels, offer glimpses of a calmer, slower way of life. Saturated in selfies and clichés, Santorini still has the power to awe and surprise, if you know how to avoid the crowds.

The Cycladic Newpaper "Kini Gnomi''dedicated a reportage for Pithigia 2023 wine exhibition and tasting event organised and hosted for the second year in Symposion Cultural Center. 
​
"Pithigia 2023" refers to the first day of the ancient traditional festival of Anthesteria, the day of "pithos" (large urns) during which ancient greeks unsealed the clay vessels where the wine was stored in order to taste the new harvest and fill the vessels of the buyers. 
The wine-growing tradition of Santorini from ancient times until today is crucial part of the local  cultural identity.
Professionals and wine lovers who visit "Pithigia 2023" will have the opportunity to taste the wines from last year’s harvest which we will be enjoyed this summer.

The Journey of Askavlos (To taxidi tou askavlou) Greece-Germany, 2020, 88 mins, World Premiere
Director/ Producer: Yorgos Arvanitis Cinematography: Zoe Dalaina, Markus Haaser Editor: Chronis Theocharis
 
Following the ancient Greek bagpipe, The Journey of Askavlos takes the viewer on a journey from stone-built villages, where the instrument’s origins lie, to the concrete jungles of modern towns and cities. He becomes a witness to this revival and discovers a thing almost lost: the customs and an ethos of a people of another era, and an oral tradition that was once a way of life. The bagpipe is being assimilated by the contemporary music scene and is integrating with modern sounds, beyond the realm of traditional festivals, thereby gaining a younger audience and enjoying great resonance around Greece and worldwide.

Ina Tarantou and ERT1(Greek National Channel) visited Santorini and SYMPOSION for a special interview with Yannis Pantazis. See the whole episode here: https://www.ertflix.gr/en/vod/vod.182901-e-zoe-allios-24

The story behind one of the oldest musical instruments known to man.. the Middle East, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Ireland - the bagpipe might be Scotland's national instrument, but Scotland was one of the last countries to adopt it. Today, the bagpipe is still played all over Europe. This film undertakes an entertaining musical road trip to show how the long, loud and often difficult history of the bagpipe tells the story of folk music and traditions the world over.

National Geographic Traveller decided to feature Greece as their destination of choice and to explore the creative renaissance Greece is experiencing during the economic crisis. Within the edition artists, musicians, chefs, and entrepreneurs are featured, giving readers an insight into how the crisis has created the opportunity for some to turn traditions on their head in a bid to pursue their dreams.

ELLE Escapes, discovers Santorini and places worth visiting on the island in 2022.

TRAVEL+LEISURE, discovers Megalochori, Santorini and places worth visiting in 2022.

THE WEST AUSTRALIAN, discovers SYMPOSION & Megalochori, Santorini.

Yannis Pantazis graced the cover of Winter 2015 Chanter Magazine:
“Through the bagpipe we can discover people, customs as well as the attitudes and outlooks of the people who play them. This, I think, is wonderfully exemplified by Yannis Pantazis and his approach to both playing and making the tsabouna. I cannot think of any other performer who could quote excerpts from Homer as a prelude to his music and yet make it feel so naturally part of the whole performance.”
Jane Moulder, The Bagpipe Society

Jerome Pitorin of France TV 5 visited La Ponta to learn about the tsabouna and Greek musical tradition.

NDR Germany, came to La Ponta, Santorini to film “The Beauty on the Powder Keg” (Die Schöne auf dem Pulverfass), part of serial called “Mare TV” about maritime regions around the globe. The serial aired twice monthly and had around 2 million viewers.

Le Figaro Voyage, discovers Santorini and places worth visiting on the island in 2020.

Christina Zacharia took us on a tour of her beloved Santorini, uncovering a thriving food scene and stunning history  - including LA PONTA - along the way!
“At La Ponta you can take a journey into the island’s timeless musical tradition.”

Yannis Pantazis and La Ponta were featured in a tribute by VTV2, Vietnam’s primary national broadcaster.

The Bagpipe Society was formed in 1986 to bring together players, makers, researchers and people who love the bagpipes. Yannis Pantazis joined their annual Blowout festival in 2014.

Countrybycountry.com featured La Ponta in a beautiful article by John Malathronas. He asked about their imminent move:
Pantazis smiles: “When we came here, people thought we were mad. Success only came by word of mouth. Soon we’ll be expanding and relocating on Santorini. But La Ponta will come with us wherever we go. It’s not a Venetian tower anymore. It’s a place where music and mythology come together.”

In its first year La Ponta was featured in SONGLINES, the world’s premier world music magazine.

In 2013, from May May to April, Yannis Pantazis took part at the EU Cultural Program "FolkMus - Folk music in MusEUms, young musicians and old instruments", along with other musicians from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Portugal and Greece. They shared music, instruments, tales, dances, rituals and ceremonies beyond their own traditions upon with the aim to promote European culture.
 

In 2014, La Ponta, the Greek Bagpipe Exhibition and Workshop presented at Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the interactive music presentation of fifteen-featuring hand-crafted wind and string instruments.

GREECE IS is magazine featured SYMPOSION on the summer issue for 2020.

GREECE IS magazine featured SYMPOSION on the summer issue for 2019.

GREECE IS magazine featured SYMPOSION on the summer issue for 2020.

Newsbeast presented SYMPOSION as a unique experience of music and mythology that makes the difference in the island of Santorini.


 

GREECE IS magazine wrote about Yannis Pantazis and the traditional bagpige after visiting La Ponta and mentioned it as one of the most memorable experiences for any visitor in the island.



 

In May 2018, European initiative for the promotion and protection of chimneys and the Santorini Arts Factory of the Tomato Industrial Museum "D.Nomikos" participated in presenting part of the industrial history of the island. In this context "Ode to Joy" was a project where the musicians of the island, with the basic guidance of Lefteris Zorzos and the director Nikos Korakakis presented in the following channel (youtube: santoriniartsfactory) a different view of the Anthem of Europe. Yannis Pantazis played in the factory this classical piece using the sound of the old machinery and his bagpipe.

Article from Candi Licence​ for the Travel signs Post.

"As you stroll through the traditional Greek village of Megalochori, on Santorini Island, you’ll hear the ethereal wail of a bagpipe or the reedy melody of a panpipe echoing through the streets. The sounds draw you into the Courtyard of Symposion by La Ponta, Yannis Pantazis’s Greek Bagpipe Exhibition and Workshop. These enchanting melodies are created with traditional Greek instruments handmade by Yannis himself."

BLUE MAGAZINE featured SYMPOSION on the summer issue for 2021.
No. 85



 

Issue 72 of Aegean Blue Magazine featured Symposion among the places a visitor is worth seeing in Santorini for the summer of 2018.

Issue 83 of Aegean Blue Magazine featured Symposion among the places a visitor is worth seeing in Santorini for the summer of 2020.

In 2014 La Ponta, along with Estia cultural center and the Santorini of the Past cultural village supported the campaign for collecting money for the conservation lab of Akrotiri. A large number of people attended the event that was organised under the auspices of the municipality, featuring music, food as well as a silent auction and lottery. About 25,000 euros were collected that day.


 

In 2019, Yannis Pantazis was in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, in the context of European Capital of Culture for the play "European Odyssey 2019. The Travelling Man". It was a three-year multi-genre theatre project by the N.O. Masalitinov Drama Theatre - Plovdiv. It aimed at creating a large-scale show based on Homer's work that gave theatre people dimensions - creating an epic, modern and visually compelling spectacle. There were guest appearances of Yannis Pantazis, who played live music with various ancient instruments, and the Greek composer and theatre director Theo Abazis (Deputy Artistic Director of Greek National Theater)

Just Back From Norwegian Jade: Hits & Misses From the First Cruise Back

"A short walk took us to Symposium, a former winery now turned into a musical heritage site. Here Argy Kakissis and Yannis Pantazis have transformed the 19th century site into a Cultural Center that combines Greek myths with music and storytelling. Yannis is both a musician and a musical instrument maker (he whipped up a rudimentary flute from a reed as we watched -- then proceeded to play it, beautifully)."