|
ERT εcho – “Techniéntos”
Interview with Giannis Tsolakidis 16 May 2025 A Season of Music Across EuropeIn this radio conversation for ERT εcho, Erato Alakiozidou discusses an exceptionally active artistic season spanning Greece, Romania and Italy, bringing together performances, masterclasses, lectures and international collaborations. Speaking with Giannis Tsolakidis, she reflects on the diversity of her artistic activities and the importance of combining concert performance with education, research and cultural exchange. The interview offers listeners an insight into the projects that shaped the months leading to the Music Diaries International Workshop Festival, highlighting a repertoire centred on contemporary music and cross-cultural dialogue. Alakiozidou also shares her commitment to supporting emerging musicians through international educational initiatives, emphasizing that artistic growth is built through collaboration, curiosity and the continuous exchange of ideas across borders. Listen to the full interview → |
ISTORIMA ARCHIVE
Oral History Interview by Sofia-Eleni Zouloumi Recorded: 31 July 2022 A Pianist and the Notes of Her LifeIn this extensive oral history interview for the Istorima Archive, Erato Alakiozidou reflects on her lifelong journey in music, tracing the experiences that shaped her artistic identity from childhood to her multifaceted career as a performer, educator and cultural entrepreneur. Rather than focusing on a single event or project, the conversation unfolds as a personal narrative, exploring family heritage, musical education, artistic influences and the evolution of a professional life devoted to performance, teaching and international collaboration. Recorded as part of one of Greece's largest oral history initiatives, the interview preserves a first-person account of artistic development, offering insights into concert life, music education, festival organisation and the enduring role of cultural exchange in shaping an artist's path. It stands as both a personal testimony and a historical document, contributing to the preservation of contemporary musical life for future generations. Listen to and read the full interview → |
THE SILL PODCAST – Planetary Postcards
Hosted by Kevin O'Shea 16 January 2022 “Classically Grooving in Greece”In this episode of Planetary Postcards, internationally acclaimed pianist and cultural entrepreneur Erato Alakiozidou reflects on a life dedicated to performance, education and the promotion of artistic collaboration across borders. Through a warm and personal conversation, she shares the experiences that have shaped her journey—from growing up in Thessaloniki to building an international career as a concert pianist, educator and founder of the Music Diaries International Workshop Festival. The discussion moves beyond biography to explore the values that define her artistic practice: lifelong learning, mentorship, cultural exchange and the creation of communities through music. Speaking about her students, international collaborations and the importance of connecting people through artistic experiences, Alakiozidou offers an intimate portrait of a career driven by curiosity, generosity and a deep commitment to the transformative power of music. Listen to the full episode → |
|
E-Makedonia Interview by Kyriaki Tsolaki
Music Diaries 2026: Building a Musical Bridge Between Thessaloniki and Europe 18 June 2026 pianist and Artistic Director Erato Alakiozidou presents the vision behind the 9th Music Diaries International Workshop Festival, describing it as a platform where artistic excellence, education and international collaboration converge. Rather than viewing the festival as a series of concerts and masterclasses, she speaks of it as a living community in which music becomes a universal language connecting people, ideas and cultures Read the full interview → E-MAKEDONIA
Feature Article June 2025 Music Diaries Returns to ThessalonikiIn this feature published by E-Makedonia, the Music Diaries International Workshop Festival is presented as an established international meeting point where artistic excellence, education and cultural exchange come together. The article follows the festival's continued growth, highlighting its unique format that combines masterclasses, concerts and interdisciplinary activities while connecting Thessaloniki with Pistoia, Italy. Read the full article → TYPOS THESSALONIKIS
Interview by Lemonia Vasvani 21 June 2025 “Initiatives Like Music Diaries Support the New Generation with Purpose”In this interview with Typos Thessalonikis, Erato Alakiozidou discusses the educational philosophy behind the Music Diaries International Workshop Festival and the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for emerging musicians. Reflecting on the festival's growing international presence, she explains how Music Diaries has evolved into a space where artistic excellence, intercultural dialogue and hands-on learning come together through collaboration rather than competition. The conversation explores the value of international mobility, mentorship and long-term artistic relationships, while emphasizing the role of cultural institutions in nurturing the next generation of artists. Alakiozidou also reflects on the accessibility of classical music, advocating for experiences that invite wider audiences to engage with the art form in an open and welcoming environment. Throughout the interview, she presents Music Diaries as a living community that encourages creativity, curiosity and personal growth through shared artistic experience. Read the full interview → POLIS MAGAZINO
Interview July 2025 “Music Is Not Sound — It Is Relationship”In this interview with Polis Magazino, Erato Alakiozidou reflects on the human dimension of music, describing it not simply as an artistic practice but as a relationship built through listening, trust and shared experience. Looking back on a season marked by artistic activity in both Greece and Italy, she speaks about the moments that continue to shape her work: encounters between people, meaningful collaborations and the silent understanding that music can create beyond words. The conversation also explores the continuing evolution of the Music Diaries International Workshop Festival, its commitment to nurturing young artists and its vision for building an international community founded on artistic excellence, education and cultural exchange. Rather than measuring success through numbers or expansion, Alakiozidou emphasizes the value of creating environments where creativity, empathy and personal growth can flourish, reaffirming her belief that the most enduring artistic experiences are those that connect people on a profoundly human level. Read the full interview → TYPOS THESSALONIKIS
Interview by Lemonia Vasvani 13 June 2024 “Music Diaries: A Creative Haven for the Next Generation of Musicians”In this interview with Typos Thessalonikis, Erato Alakiozidou introduces the vision behind the seventh edition of the Music Diaries International Workshop Festival, presenting it as an environment where young musicians can develop both artistically and personally through collaboration, mentorship and creative exploration. Rather than focusing solely on technical excellence, the festival is described as a place that encourages curiosity, experimentation and meaningful artistic exchange. The conversation highlights the festival's interdisciplinary character, bringing together music, movement, technology and contemporary artistic practices while welcoming an expanding international faculty. Alakiozidou also reflects on the importance of creating educational experiences that inspire confidence and foster lasting artistic relationships, reaffirming her belief that cultural initiatives should empower the next generation through shared learning, openness and genuine human connection. Read the full interview → E-MAKEDONIA
Interview by Kyriaki Tsolaki February 2021 “An Artistic Director Must Continuously Renew Their Vision”In this interview with E-Makedonia, published shortly after her appointment as Artistic Director of the Municipal Conservatory of Pylaia–Chortiatis, Erato Alakiozidou shares her vision for transforming the institution into a dynamic centre of artistic education, innovation and international collaboration. She discusses the challenges of leading a conservatory during an unprecedented period for music education while outlining a strategy focused on openness, educational excellence and meaningful cultural engagement. The conversation explores the evolving role of artistic leadership, emphasizing that an artistic director should remain an active performer, educator and lifelong learner. Alakiozidou reflects on the importance of inspiring collaborators through a shared vision while continuously engaging with developments in the international cultural landscape. The interview also introduces the first initiatives of her artistic programme, highlighting support for young composers, interdisciplinary collaborations and a commitment to making the conservatory an accessible and vibrant cultural institution for the wider community. Read the full interview → TYPOS THESSALONIKIS
Interview by Lemonia Vasvani 27 November 2019 “Greece Does Not Adequately Support Classical Music”In this interview with Typos Thessalonikis, published on the occasion of the Mediterranean Miniature Sketches recital, Erato Alakiozidou discusses the place of classical music within Greece's cultural landscape and reflects on the structural challenges facing music education and artistic development. While presenting a programme dedicated to contemporary Mediterranean composers, she also addresses broader questions concerning cultural policy, educational planning and the long-term support of professional musicians. The conversation extends beyond the concert itself to advocate for a stronger commitment to music education, sustained cultural investment and wider access to classical music throughout the country. Alakiozidou argues that meaningful artistic development depends on long-term educational strategies rather than isolated initiatives, emphasizing the responsibility of cultural institutions to nurture future generations of musicians while strengthening Greece's presence within the wider European musical community. Read the full interview → |
TYPOS THESSALONIKIS
Interview by Lemonia Vasvani 12 June 2026 “The Power of Music to Create Spaces of Acceptance”In this interview with Typos Thessalonikis, Erato Alakiozidou reflects on the role of music as a catalyst for dialogue, understanding and human connection. Speaking on the occasion of the 9th Music Diaries International Workshop Festival, she shares the vision that has guided the festival from its inception: to create an international meeting point where artistic excellence, education and cultural exchange coexist naturally. The conversation explores the festival's expanding European network, its commitment to supporting young musicians and the importance of artistic collaboration across borders. Read the full interview → POLIS MAGAZINO
Interview June 2025 “Art Is Not a Privilege — It Is a Bridge”In this interview with Polis Magazino, Erato Alakiozidou shares her reflections on the values that have shaped the Music Diaries International Workshop Festival and her broader artistic vision. Speaking about creativity, education and international collaboration, she describes music as a meeting place where people, cultures and experiences come together through openness and mutual understanding. The conversation explores the festival's evolution from a personal initiative into an international artistic community, emphasizing the importance of artistic education, cultural mobility and meaningful human encounters. Alakiozidou reflects on the responsibility of cultural institutions to remain accessible and socially relevant, arguing that art should never be perceived as a privilege reserved for a few, but as a shared experience capable of inspiring dialogue, empathy and lasting connections across borders. Read the full interview → CITYMAG THESSALONIKI
Interview June 2025 “Greek Culture Today Is a Living Organism That Carries Its History While Continuing to Dream”In this interview with Citymag Thessaloniki, Erato Alakiozidou reflects on the evolving identity of contemporary Greek culture and the role of artists in shaping its future. Rather than viewing cultural heritage as a static legacy, she describes it as a living process—one that continuously grows through dialogue, creativity and international exchange. The conversation explores the relationship between artistic creation, education and cultural diplomacy, highlighting the importance of initiatives that connect local communities with the wider European artistic landscape. Drawing on her experience as founder and Artistic Director of the Music Diaries International Workshop Festival, Alakiozidou discusses how meaningful artistic encounters can strengthen cultural understanding while creating opportunities for the next generation of musicians. Throughout the interview, she presents culture as an active force that honours tradition while remaining open to new ideas, collaborations and shared visions for the future. Read the full interview → POLIS MAGAZINO
Interview June 2024 “Music Diaries 2024: A Festival Where Education, Performance and Artistic Research Meet”In this interview with Polis Magazino, Erato Alakiozidou presents the vision behind the 2024 edition of the Music Diaries International Workshop Festival, highlighting its unique combination of masterclasses, concerts, workshops and artistic research. She explains how the festival has developed into an international platform where performers, educators and researchers exchange ideas, collaborate across disciplines and explore new approaches to artistic practice. The conversation focuses on the festival's commitment to innovation, introducing initiatives such as the Open Forum and activities dedicated to artistic research alongside an expanded programme of educational and performance events. Alakiozidou emphasizes that Music Diaries is designed not only to cultivate musical excellence but also to encourage critical thinking, creativity and international dialogue, offering young musicians an environment where learning and artistic discovery evolve hand in hand. Read the full interview → POLIS MAGAZINO
Interview January 2022 “Culture and Its Expression Are at the Heart of Human Existence”In this interview with Polis Magazino, Erato Alakiozidou reflects on the fundamental role of culture in contemporary society, arguing that artistic creation should be recognised not as a luxury, but as an essential element of human life and collective identity. Speaking during a period of significant challenges for the cultural sector, she advocates for sustained support of artists and cultural initiatives, emphasizing that a society's future is inseparable from the vitality of its cultural present. The conversation also explores the broader responsibilities of artists and cultural institutions, highlighting the importance of education, innovation and public engagement in shaping a more resilient artistic landscape. Alakiozidou discusses her ongoing projects and her vision for creating platforms where creativity, collaboration and international dialogue can flourish, reaffirming her belief that culture is one of the strongest forces for social cohesion, critical thinking and meaningful human connection. Read the full interview → IEFIMERIDA
Interview by Katerina Poulopoulou 4 December 2019 “A Concert Inspired by the Language of Everyday Communication”In this feature for iefimerida.gr, Erato Alakiozidou discusses the artistic concept behind Mediterranean Miniature Sketches, a concert inspired by the brief yet meaningful messages people exchange every day. Through a programme of contemporary piano miniatures by Mediterranean composers, she explores how music can transform simple moments of communication into a poetic artistic experience, revealing unexpected emotional depth within concise musical forms. The interview also highlights Alakiozidou's long-standing commitment to promoting contemporary Greek and Mediterranean repertoire, emphasizing the importance of presenting living composers alongside established voices. She reflects on the performer's role as a mediator between composers and audiences, creating programmes that encourage listeners to discover new music through accessible narratives while celebrating the cultural diversity and shared artistic heritage of the Mediterranean region. Read the full interview → |