Μake us preferred on Google Emotion, heartfelt performances and an almost invisible presence that brought the evening together defined a tribute to Leonard Cohen at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in southern Athens on Saturday, ahead of the 10th anniversary of his death on Nov. 7.
The renowned poet, songwriter and singer’s son Adam and grandson Cassius joined Greek performers from different generations for an evening that showed how deeply Cohen’s music continues to resonate in Greece.
Credit: Paper Photo Archive
The performances included Greek adaptations of his work, with a rendition of “Hallelujah” closing out the performance.
The concert also highlighted the role of Greece, and particularly the rock islet of Hydra, in Cohen’s life and creative development.
Cohen first arrived on Hydra in 1960 as a young Canadian writer and poet. He bought a three-storey stone house on the island for $1,500 and spent much of the 1960s there, writing poetry and novels before becoming internationally known as a singer-songwriter. He lived on Hydra with Marianne Ihlen, whose relationship with Cohen became part of the legend surrounding his years on the island and inspired the song “So Long, Marianne.”
Hydra was then home to a small expatriate community of writers and artists. Cohen’s years there produced important literary work, including The Favourite Game and Beautiful Losers, and helped establish the isle as a lasting part of his personal and artistic history.
The connection has continued through his family. Adam Cohen has described Greece as a magical place for his family and continues to spend time at the family home on Hydra. His son Cassius, who joined him on stage in Athens, represents a third generation of the Cohen family connected to the island and to Leonard Cohen’s musical legacy.
During Saturday’s tribute, footage from Cohen’s interviews, documentaries and visits to Hydra was shown between performances.
