FESTIVAL 1972 - WASHINGTON , D. C.
The Festival was organized and funded by the
Smithsonian Institution for American Folklife in Washington D.C. The
director of the Festival was Ralph Rinzler, and the researchers were
Martin Koenig and Ethel Raim, who recruited our group. The purpose
of the festival was to showcase various ethnic groups residing in
the United States of America with their customs, ethnic food, and
dances as they practiced them in the United States.
Martin and Ethel came to Baltimore, MD in February,1972 seeking
Karpathian musicians. By asking, they came to a coffee house in
Highlandtown, where they met Konstantino Nicolaidi, Nikolao Nikita,
and Manoli Mastromanoli. When they explained their objective we
brought Ianni Pavlidi and Ianni Hioti (the best lyra and laouto
players) to play some Olympitika. They were so impressed by the
music and singing they heard, t hey
discussed how a presentation could be made at the 1972 Festival. One
week laterMartin and Ethel returned with Ralph Rinzler and three
other researchers from the Smithsonian. They were all invited to
Ianni and Kassiani Hioti`s apartment where an Olympitiko Glenti took
place. Present at theGlenti were: Iannis and Kassiani Hiotis, Iannis
Pavlidis, Filippos Hiotis and family, Iannis Sofillas, Vasilios
Kakarolis, Nikolaos Nikitas, Konstantinos Nicolaidis, and Manolis
Mastromanolis.
After being overwhelmed at this "Glenti", theSmithsonian
representatives selected a group of people they wanted, to
participate in music, dances, and workshops at the Festival to be
held July 1 through July 4, 1972 at the National Mall in Washington
D.C.. Their list included: Iannis Pavlidis, Iannis & Kassiani Hiotis,
Filippos & Kalliope Hiotis, Antonios & Maria Nicolaidis,
Konstantinos & Maria Nicolaidis, Minas & Irene Nicolaidis, Manolis &
Sofia Mastromanolis, Nikolaos Nikitas, Vasilios Kakarolis, Iannis
Sofillas, Filippos & Vasilios & Georgios Nikolaou, Minas Prearis,
Sofia Paragiou, Vasilios & Iannis  Dargakis,
Vasilios Hapsis, and Elias Minatsis from Vancouver, Canada.
The Olympian Brotherhood council called a meeting with all members,
and it was decided that all Olympites, with their relatives and
friends should be invited to participate and help in any manner
possible at the Festival, because a lot of preparation, and
participation was necessary. We felt this was a very important event
because Olympos represented all of Greece in this Festival at the
United States Capital. The 1972 Olympian Brotherhood council
consisted of:
Nicolaidis, Konstantinos President
Mastromanolis, Manolis Vice-President
Dargakis, Vasilios Treasurer
Nikitas, Nikolaos Secretary
Nicolaidis, Minas
Hiotis, Phillip
Giorgakis, Antonios
The response was overwhelming. With a tremendous amount of
enthusiasm and participation from all families from Olympos, and
their friends; women prepared baklava, ntolmades, and other food and
pastries, for several days before, and
 every evening during the Festival, at
Saint Nicholas hall and the Olympian Brotherhood`s house. Four tents
were erected for us in front of The Smithsonian Museum, between the
Washington Monument and the United States Capitol. Three buses were
provided by the Smithsonian to transport people daily between
Baltimore and Washington D.C.. Lokoumades were made fresh at the
Festival. Under the tents, women and men participated in workshops,
played music, sang, danced, and sold home made Greek pastries, Greek
food, and beverages.
Iannis Pavlidis had moved back to Greece before the Festival, but he
made a major contribution with his musical talent before he left.
Elias Minatsis had a stomach operation two months earlier, but he
played tsambouna as well as ever with unbelievable stamina. All
musicians, singers, and dancers were magnificent. Thousands of
people attended the Festival. The Washington Post, Baltimore Sun,
and other newspapers wrote articles daily for this event. One Greek
lady attending the Festival asked me: "Where is Olympos, Karpathos?
You can't even find it on the map; and, How did you get invited to
this Festival? " I asked her to watch our customs for a while to see
"why". The "kefi" was overwhelming. On the last day (July 4, 1972)
everyone was singing, dancing, and cheering as Philip and Iannis
Hiotis, and others were dancing "arkisti" on the tables. That "Olympytiko
glenti" was the finale to the American Folklife Festival on United
States Independence Day, prior to the fireworks. What an honor for
us!! It will remain unforgettable for everyone who attended.
During August of 1972 Martin and Ethel went to Olympos to witness
our wonderful customs and majestic scenery. That led to the
invitations for the 1974 Festival Tour "Old Ways in the New World"
for: Antonios Zografidis, Mano lis
Kritikos, Vasilios Halkias, Georgios Prearis, Elias Minatsis,
Georgios Kanakis, Vasilios Sofillas, Papa Ioannis Diakogeorgiou,
Maria A. Nicolaidi, Vasilios Kelepesis, Minas Mihailidis, and Kosmas
Papanikolaou. The Smithsonian Institution funded, and made all the
arrangements for the group from Olympos to tour: Detroit MI,
Baltimore MD, Washington D.C., Philadelphia PA, New York NY, Toledo
OH, Chicago IL, St. Louis MO, and Montgomery AL.
We thank everyone who participated, or contributed to the success of
the Festivals. We thank Martin Koenig, Ethel Raim, Ralph Rinzler,
and the Smithsonian Institution for their unconditional support. We
admire their commitment and dedication to cultural events, which
greatly enhance the Mosaic of the American Melting Pot.
This article, photographs, and audio were made available by
Manolis N. Mastromanolis. It is an accurate recollection to the best
of my knowledge. Any omission or error was not intentional.
Manolis N. Mastromanolis
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