The history of humanity is a history of exiles. For Jews and Christians, the exile from Paradise is the beginning of history. Jesus Christ was exiled in Egypt. For Muslims, it is the exile from Mecca. For political dissidents throughout the world, it is a miserable refrain, one of the principle forms of “reeducation”, punishment or simply annihilation. Millions of human beings have been led violently, by force or voluntarily into exile for political, religious or national reasons or simply in search of a better life. Exile is a state of the body, but also a state of mind. It is inscribed in our DNA, we carry within ourselves the nostalgia for an ideal topos, a utopia, even if our daily lives take the form of “normality”. In our days, its real and symbolic aspects are more real than ever.

Kyriakos Kalaitzidis, composer, ud master, artistic director of En Chordais and one of the most important musicians and scholars in the field of Mediterranean music, was born into a family of exiles. His life experience and his musical research led him to deal with the theme of exile. His music for the homonymous project is an attractive blending of east and west, with a very special musicality as a common denominator. Using a wide range of instruments he has achieved a musical result with a very rich timbre, both sensitive and intelligent. The melodies that make up Exile, deeply rooted in the eastern Mediterranean, nonetheless achieve a form of universality and will certainly touch sensitive listeners around the world. Just as the theme of exile, so painfully lived today on the shores of Asia Minor and Greece cannot but move us because it carries within it an eternal human tragedy.

“For those who have lived or are living as exiles in a foreign place, or in their own place, on account of an idea, a belief, or just to earn their daily bread.

Exile is the road of return to that home that is more our own; into arms that are more our own.”

Exile is a concert full of the emotions of separation, love, anticipation and hope, transporting the listener to their own personal exile.