Review of the Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble in Switzerland (September 2025)

RGE, Lausanne

The Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble (RGE) undertook a unique cultural journey to Switzerland in early September 2025, as part of the project “Musical Bridges with Greek Communities of Switzerland.” The aim of this initiative was both to promote and showcase works by Greek composers abroad, and to strengthen the bonds between Greece and the Greek communities overseas, through music and artistic collaboration.

As part of the project, the Ensemble presented two concerts featuring Greek songs and works for guitar ensemble — in Lausanne and Zurich — organized in collaboration with the Hellenic Association of Lausanne “Estia” and the Hellenic Community of Zurich, respectively. Both performances were warmly received by the audiences, which embraced the Ensemble’s musicians and celebrated music as a bridge of cultural continuity and emotional connection with the homeland.

Video with Greek songs from the RGE concerts in Switzerland

The RGE with members
of the Greek Community of Zurich

In Zurich, the Ensemble also held a music workshop focusing on the presentation, analysis, and participatory experience of Greek song. Participants took part in music-and-movement activities inspired by the rhythm and melody of Greek music, discovering the interactive nature of artistic expression. The workshop was presented by Kostas Dimitriou, who guided the session with insight and sensitivity, fostering an atmosphere of openness and creative exchange.

The project “Musical Bridges with the Greek Communities of Switzerland” was implemented with the financial support and under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, and with the valuable support of the Municipality of Zitsa.

The Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble extends its warmest thanks to:

the Hellenic Association of Lausanne “Estia” and the Hellenic Community of Zurich, for their collaboration and hospitality,
the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Zitsa, for their essential support,
and all those who contributed to the success of the events and shared with us the joy of music.

RGE, Lausanne, sound check

This experience reaffirmed that music remains a living channel of communication — a cultural bond that unites people and places beyond borders and distances.

Snapshots from the RGE in Laussane