By Honorary Reporter Eftychia Dovletoglou from Greece
Photos = Pixabay, Miran Tsalikian

Miran Tsalikian is a Greek musician whose works have been performed throughout the world by renowned orchestras. In 2019, he won a contest hosted by the Gwangju Cultural Foundation of Korea for orchestral interpretations of a signature song to honor the victims of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising of 1980. 

The following are excerpts from an interview with him.

Please describe your win at the competition in Gwangju.
I submitted one of 920 entries from composers from all over the world, and I won for my work "Heroes' Oath: Symphony for Heroes." I had to write an orchestral piece on the sacrifice of the uprising's victims that helped bring democracy to the country. My composition was another way of honoring the contributions of these heroes who believed in the dream and fought for the higher ideals that we enjoy today. 

Miran Tsalikian plays "Heroes' Oath" on the bouzouki (Greek lute), in Athens, Greece.

To mark 60 years of diplomatic relations, the Korean Embassy in Athens invited you to play the Korean national anthem on the bouzouki (Greek lute). How was it?
The invitation was another sign of the appreciation and respect I received from Koreans. Former Korean Ambassador to Greece Lim Soo-suk honored me at all events related to Greece's relations with Korea. I enjoyed the experience and the musical and cultural journey, and I especially thank the embassy staff for this opportunity.

What are your impressions of Koreans?
They are incredible people with deep knowledge, appreciation for music and its creators, education and culture at a level that you rarely see anymore. They are perhaps one of the few people who dared to award first place for an orchestral work on their own history to a non-Korean over a native, basing the judging on merit only. 

Miran Tsalikian interacts with people at the 2019 competition in Gwangju hosted by the Gwangju Cultural Foundation. 

How did Koreans react to your version of their national anthem with the bouzouki?
I think that the orchestration of their national anthem with the bouzouki pleasantly surprised them as well as me. It also made me think again what can be achieved when people collaborate and create.

The musician pays tribute to the victims of the 1980 uprising at the 5-18 Memorial Park in Gwangju.

How was your trip to the 5-18 Memorial Park in Gwangju, a place honoring the victims?
Everyone should visit this park, which honors the victims of the uprising. I felt like part of the Korean people and a citizen of the world. I was glad to see that values and people who believe in the dream and sacrifice their lives for a greater cause still exist. 

Miran Tsalikian poses for a photo with former Korean Ambassador to Greece Lim Soo-suk (second from right).

This plaque certifies Miran Tsalikian as the winner of the foundation's competition.

Below are videos showing performances of Tsalikian's works.

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.