On "Mauthausen"

by Ina & Asteris Koutoulas

In some sort of way, Jewish and Greek music is very similar, one could say close: songs that appear often melancholic, often gloomy texts with cheerful melodies. These elements that link the two people also emerge in some of the songs of the Mauthausen Cycle. In the nature of the sounds created by Mikis Theodorakis to the verses of Iacovos Kambanellis lies the secret that, across the boundaries of language, quickly created a base of understanding for the message of the Mauthausensongs. A merry melody does not always mean to laugh in the face of death. But it means to withstand it. Like earth, holding the trunks of burned trees, preparing itself in autumn and winter so that the mountain will be green again in springtime, with bushes full of millions of little stars.
Mauthausen is the symbol of an attempt to exterminate not only a people, but also the wisdom of a people with it. This attempt cannot be allowed to fail, nor can future attempts of this kind be allowed to fail. The work of men on all continents, individuals, who find the meaning of life in the training of their minds by research, philosophy, poetry and music, this work guarantees that at the end of the day a human and dignified culture will overcome violence and despotism. The question is, how dearly we have to pay for it. Because the strongmen of all kind tend to overlook the fact that the basic ideas of human coexistence are kept in the knowledge not of one people alone, but of all people.
The living reminder of Mauthausen is a step on the path to this perception. That some day mono- and polytheistic faith will coexist with atheism or even that each of their most human values will merge - a great utopia.
Music can bring us a step closer to this dream. Music is a medium, an ideal "extension line" into open space. Ideal for crossing the borders of our spiritual world and bringing our longings over the threshold to the unknown, which will absorb our present ideas. The future home of mankind. A planet without restrictions. And we, millions of little stars, free in time and space.

© Ina and Asteris Koutoulas