ambience: Greek music, Crete lyra, oud, bouzouki
Two crowns connected by a single white ribbon are placed on the bride and groom’s heads, symbolizing the solemn bond between the couple – and God – at a Greek Orthodox wedding in Crete. Once the service is over, the reception begins with eating, drinking, and toasting intermixed with music and dance. I’m Jim Metzner, and this is the Pulse of the Planet.
The focus of a wedding celebration is not just on the bride and groom. It’s on the music. Tullia Magrini, a professor at the University of Bologna, explains why both vocal and instrumental music are so much a part of this special day in Crete.
“Musicians accompanied the bride all along the transportation of the dowry — from the house of the bride to the house of the groom. And then there was a three days feast to celebrate the weddings. And, for three days, there were dances and songs because the bride has to dance with all the relatives of the groom.”
Linked by arms and hands, everyone joins in a serpentine line that whirls and weaves its way around the dance floor. Music unites the people of Crete in a celebration of family, friends and community.
To hear about our new CD, please visit pulseplanet.com. Pulse of the Planet is made possible by the National Science Foundation. I’m Jim Metzner.