A strong cultural connection also plays a major role. Greeks value family and tradition, which resonates with Polish values, as does the nostalgia stemming from popular holidays in Greece and the association of the music with beautiful landscapes. All of this creates positive associations and a sense of closeness. The key reasons why Poles have fallen in love with Greek music are its beautiful emotions, themes of love, history, and longing, and holiday nostalgia. Greek music often reminds us of the sun, warmth, and beautiful views, bringing back fond memories of vacations. The BALTIC GREECE Festival will not only be an opportunity to celebrate Greece's rich musical tradition but will also serve as a reminder of the history and contribution of the Greek community to Polish culture. Hosted by: Paweł Sztompke and Violetta Kowalska July 31, 2026 Location: Auditorium of the Zbigniew Herbert Regional Center of Culture, 1 Solna Street 6:00 PM – concert by the band ELLINIKA KARDIA Featuring: Giorgos Papadopulos – vocals, Themis Lepenos – bouzouki, vocals, Dimitris Dymitriadis – guitar, vocals. The band's repertoire ranges from Mikis Theodorakis to classic songs that Greece lives by. Giorgos Papadopulos once sang with the master Theodorakis and is a great strength of the band. He is supported by professional musicians: Themis Lepenos on the bouzouki and Dimitris Dymitriadis on the guitar. The entire band creates a performance that is well worth attending. The concert will be a musical journey through Greek culture in its most beautiful forms, from traditional sirtaki to zeibekiko, tsifteteli, and the music of the Greek islands. The entire performance will be interspersed with witty narration about Greeks, Greece, its history and present day, as well as introductions to the song lyrics. 7:30 PM – "Dance the Zorba" concert Featuring: Nikos Rusketos & Band Nikos Rusketos is a leading artist and one of the most popular Greeks in Poland. He can be described as the undisputed ambassador of this music in our country. The concert will be a true Greek party involving the festival audience. A medley of Greek hits, unforgettable songs by Demis Roussos, and hits by Orfeusz is a selection of proven music prepared especially for the Kołobrzeg audience. August 1, 2026 6:00 PM – "Callas" concert Featuring: Karina Trapezanidou-Skrzeszewska We will hear the most famous arias from Maria Callas's repertoire, interpreted by Karina Trapezanidou-Skrzeszewska and accompanied by Katarzyna Starzycka. Karina Skrzeszewska, who has been highly successful in heroic roles of the Italian bel canto (including Bellini's "Norma"), shares not only her repertoire with Callas but also her Greek heritage and her approach to stage performance. The musical excerpts will illustrate a narrative about Maria Callas's versatility and dramatic instinct, her extensive repertoire that intrigued many opera experts, her phenomenon, her personality, and what determined her career. This is Callas as we do not know her. 7:30 PM – "Opa, Opa" concert The Greek vocal and instrumental group Mythos, led by Joannis Buras, will present an original, colorful concert to the festival audience. During the performance, we will hear beautiful Greek hits such as "Kira Georgina", "Opa, Opa", "Mi Milas Mi Gielas", and "To Palikari Ehi Kaimo". The entire event will be combined with great fun with the audience and a Greek dance lesson.
