nevronas.gr/ Nikos Pagidas – occupational therapist

This year’s European Music Festival in Agios Dimitrios will remain unforgettable and leave a deep impression on all who have had the opportunity to attend. But why you might wonder… Because this concert was different, it was inclusive, it was unique.

Tuesday, June 21, the day of the beginning of the summer solstice, found us at Ari Veluccioti Square, officially welcoming the summer with the most beautiful sounds of English and Greek rock, pop music, country folk, Greek art! However, we were also able to see the inclusive musical group (disabled and able-bodied musicians) Bandokafenio, who, together with Makis Cigantes, managed to stir and stir the audience.

The reason for this musical coexistence was the presentation of the song “On the Spectrum of the Soul”, dedicated to autism and designed to help understanding and approach to autistic people by the neurotypicals of the society. Beautiful work of three friends: Ioannis Zorbalas (who wrote the poem), Makis Tsigantes (who set it to music and performed it) and Manolis Matsos (who created the music).

The municipality of Agios Dimitrios gladly accepted and implemented the offer of nevronas.gr, giving the members of the group 45 minutes to reveal their talent and energy. Everyone was in high spirits, important efforts, but above all pleasure, which many would envy. The first 45 minutes of the band’s performance at such a big and important event as the European Music Festival. The first 45 minutes of the municipality in music Inclusion in an event open to the public. As a reminder, in December 2021, in collaboration with nevronas.gr, visually impaired musician Marios Sarellas, together with his band, took part in the celebration organized by the municipality of Agios Dimitrios to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

You can endlessly write about what I experienced and felt from the beginning to the end of this concert, but the most important thing is to find out what the main characters of the evening felt and wanted to communicate!

The band’s conductor Vangelis Mitsuras explains this simply and intelligibly: “Music unites, like a little, all people. Everyone simultaneously feels his pulse, sings the words and dances in the same rhythm. This is how the coexistence of different people who have so much in common is achieved! June 21st, Music Day, was the right opportunity to get back to concerts after a year! Summer mood, communication with friends whom we have not seen for a long time, and the desire to go on stage and glorify music made us look forward to it. We all have a common need for entertainment, for dancing, for singing, and no matter what difficulties we face, we all have the right to access these simple and valuable things! With this thought, we will sing and we will sing to unite different worlds! Thank you so much for the support and love you give us!”

Antonis Exarchopoulos, who plays keyboards, continues: “After a long time, at the invitation of the municipality of Agios Dimitrios and with the support of Nevronas, we got the opportunity to perform at a concert in the square of Aris Velouchiotis. Together with us was Makis Tsigantes, who supports us musically. I felt happy and very satisfied because we played in front of a large audience who sang along with us, applauded us, and we had a great time. I hope the group will have more opportunities to sing together.”

Tomas Sotropas, percussionist, says: “I’m very happy for the concert we gave, let’s do well and we’ll do it again.”

Giorgos Dandoulakis sings: “I feel like I’ve found myself again after such a long absence from our concerts.”

Manos Brustis, the second voice of Bandokafenio, told us: “The experience of the first show after so many years of absence… was fantastic and we are very grateful to the municipality of Agios Dimitrios and Nevronas. I wish we had more live performances and to be invited from other places.”

Makis Cigantes, for his part, notes: “For me, this was the most special and special concert of the hundreds that I have participated in so far. Entering the stage has become a reality, the collaboration of neurotypicals and autists has become much more functional and simple than one could imagine. The contribution of the soul, both in rehearsals and live. And by no means discounts on the music product being presented, as some well-meaning compassionate donors might be quick to object. A sense of delight overwhelms you as you play with these pure Bandokafenio souls. Unity at its finest. I got the same feeling from fellow travelers, professional musician friends Manolis Matso and Takis Anastasopoulos, who also participated. Thus, it has been convincingly proven that the goal of harmonious coexistence and integration can be achieved if we believe and act in this direction. So go ahead!”