Artistic Impressions of Mytilene: A Successful Art Exhibit and Concert at the Maliotis Center

Artistic Impressions of MYTILENE:
A Successful Art Exhibit and Concert at the Maliotis Center

The Hellenic and Near Eastern Musical Society Ensemble

Brookline, MA, June 9 -- Artist and writer Panayiotis Malamellis of Lesvos exhibited more than 50 oil paintings and autographed copies of his latest book about island life, Pikrohamoyelo, or Bitter Laughter. The exhibition and sale of his paintings and book, along with musical CDs produced by a chorus of youngsters from his village, proved very successful, significantly adding to the coffers of the Vatoussa Revitalization Foundation. With the proceeds, the foundation will undertake a multi-year project to create walking trails and rest areas around the St. Nicholas Chapel of Vatoussa.

The expansive foyer of the Maliotis Center filled with appreciative patrons, many of whom purchased the striking landscapes and village scenes by Mr. Malamellis.

Sons and Daughters of
Alexander the Great

The culmination of a lifetime of painting, these works reflect his simple, yet compelling style. Taught by his father, a Byzantine iconographer trained at Mt. Athos, Mr. Malamellis blends elements of this iconographic tradition into his works. His depictions of village life echo the works of Theophilos in their subjects and colors, thus combining ecclesiastical stylizations and folk elements into his brushstrokes. Patrons viewed scenes from throughout the entire island, from Eressos to Plomari and Kratigos in Mytilene, with the majority portraying his own village, Vatoussa.

Following the exhibition, costumed ushers from the dance troupe Sons and Daughters of Alexander the Great escorted viewers into the concert hall for a two-hour performance by the Hellenic and Near Eastern Musical Society Ensemble.

Ms. Demetra Apostolou-Tikellis, Events Committee Co-Chair, served as Master of Ceremonies for the capacity crowd and introduced Mr. Tasos Vouthourellis, President of the Pan-Lesvos Association of New England, who briefly addressed the audience, and then introduced Mrs. Mary Papoutsy, Events Committee Co-Chair who welcomed the 25-piece orchestra. Led by Mr. Christos Papoutsy, this new musical group performed a number of toe-tapping, traditional favorites,along with more contemporary pieces by Hatzidakis and Theodorakis, and drew resounding applause with

Ariel during meeting with President Moshe Katzav

Panayiotis Malamellis

calls for encores. Among the many dignitaries attending the event were representatives of the Greek consulate in Boston, Ms. Ekonomou, the Vice-Consul, and Mr. Dino Siotis, the Director of the Press Office, along with Mr. Arthur Dukakis, President of the Costas and Mary Maliotis Charitable Foundation, Mr. Panos Spiliakos, Director of Development at Hellenic College, and Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, President of Hellenic College.

At the conclusion of the concert, Mr. Malamellis received an award plaque in recognition of his assistance and contributions to his village. The plaque was presented by Mrs. Apostolou-Tikellis and Mr. and Mrs. Papoutsy on behalf of the members of the events committee: Christos and Meni Dafnoulelis, Bill and Nina Gatzoulis, Ioannis and Anna Kamyvsellis, Bill Kotzampaldiris, Chris Orphanides-Johnson, Tina Papadopoulos, Andrea Papoutsy, Mikel Papoutsy, Chris Psilos, John Psilos, and Kostas Romneos.

See Related Story: A Malamellis Celebration in Greek Music and Arts