VI.BE

PasaTempo Rebetiko Group, founded in Brussels in 2015, is devoted to reviving rebetiko — the Greek blues that emerged in the late 19th century and flourished in the 1930s, known for its raw emotion and powerful social expression.

Born in the port cities and working-class neighborhoods of Greece, rebetiko grew out of marginalized communities shaped by exile, hardship, and resistance. It developed in cafés-aman and tekés as a deeply expressive popular art form.

Today, the ensemble — Chrysa Karageorgiou (vocals), Michalis Karakatsanis, Chrysostomos Papagiannis, and Christos Sarantidis— offers an interpretation that remains faithful to the original style while sounding fresh, vibrant, and contemporary.

The group presents an original project:

“The Rebel Voices of Rebetiko – Women of the Greek Blues”

Although rebetiko was largely male-dominated, women played a crucial role as performers, composers, and pioneering figures. Defying social conventions, they brought powerful themes of exile, poverty, free love, resistance, and dignity to the stage, leaving a lasting imprint on the genre.

This concert pays tribute to those female voices through an emblematic repertoire, carried by Chrysa’s expressive voice, blending emotion, festive energy, and artistic engagement. Brief narration and historical context guide the audience through a vibrant musical journey between memory and the present.

The project is available as a quartet or quintet.

We would be delighted to share this project with you and remain at your disposal for any further information.