London Book Launch: The Ionian Islands and Epirus

I really enjoyed my London book launch last night. It was organised by the Hellenic Centre, Marylebone, with the Ionian Society and Signal Books.

There must have been around 80 people in the audience in the Great Hall, and some beautiful songs from Epirus and the Ionian Islands were performed by very talented musicians and singers who are members of the Choir of the School of Byzantine Music in London.

My thanks to Evangelia Roussou, Agatha Kalisperas, Maria Andipa, James Ferguson, Father Joseph Paliouras and the choir for making it a memorable evening. A note about Father Joseph follows:

Fr Joseph Paliouras was born in Trikala, Greece in 1961. He began his musical studies at an early age graduating with diplomas from the University of Athens in not only Byzantine but also European music. He later achieved a degree in Theology from the University of Salonica.

In 1986 he moved to London where he now resides. He is the founder and also director of the School of Byzantine Music in London and is the conductor of its choir. Fr. Paliouras was ordained as a Priest, on Christmas Eve 1988 and currently serves as the parish priest of the Holy Church of the Twelve Apostles in Brookmans Park, Hertfordshire.

For the last ten years he is presented weekly, the radio programme 'From the Hymns of the Church' on London Greek Radio. In addition to this, he also contributes to the weekly broadcasts 'Window to the Blue' and 'The Voice of the Church'. Father Joseph further presents weekly at the Hellenic Television the programme 'Tomorrow is Sunday'.

He has also released various audio CDs containing religious hymns and songs such as: 'Hymns of Christmas Day', 'The Service of the Bridegroom', 'Holy Passion', 'Double Celebration', 'Christmas and New Year Song', 'Ethnic Songs' plus many more.