Skopelos Artists

Panagiotis Vouzas

Documenting the Rebetiko Tradition of Skopelos

Panagiotis Vouzas is a Greek filmmaker who has made Skopelos his permanent home over the past years, dedicating his creative energy to capturing the cultural identity of the island. His latest work, the documentary “Akrogialies Deilina” ( Beaches and Dusks), focuses on the story of rebetiko in Skopelos and the musicians who kept this important genre alive.

The film is inspired by Deilina, one of the very first tavernas on Skopelos with live music, where legendary figures such as Giorgos Xintaris, Kostas Kalafatis, and Pavlos Vasileiou first performed during the 1970s. Through this symbolic place, Vouzas unfolds the evolution of Skopelos music—from traditional island songs to rebetiko and later laiko—emphasizing the island’s unique identity as a true “rebetiko island.”

By combining interviews with local musicians, everyday islanders, and archival material, the documentary offers viewers an authentic insight into how rebetiko became part of the cultural DNA of Skopelos. Today, visitors to the island can still experience this living tradition, as many tavernas and restaurants host live kompanies (ensembles) playing rebetiko and folk music during the summer. This direct connection between the past and present is what makes Skopelos stand out as a cultural destination in Greece.

Akrogialies Deilina is an independent production that has already completed filming. It is currently in the editing stage, with the creative team seeking support to finalize sound, image processing, and music rights before its release at film festivals and cinemas.

Through his work, Panagiotis Vouzas not only highlights the history of rebetiko in Skopelos but also strengthens the island’s reputation as a hub of Greek culture and music. His documentary is both a tribute to the past and a call to preserve the living heritage of Skopelos for generations to come.

Panagiotis Vouzas has an extensive portfolio of documentary works that reflect his deep engagement with Greek culture, history, and music. In Aegean Rhythm – Lyre (2015), he explores the traditional music of the Aegean islands, highlighting the lyre as a central instrument in the region’s musical heritage. The Small Village (2011) is a feature-length documentary centered on the mountainous village of Varvara and its residents, capturing the atmosphere of the 13th annual musical festival held there in July 2011. In Mataroa: The Journey Goes On… (2019), Vouzas recounts the story of 150 Greek students who traveled to Paris aboard the ship Mataroa in December 1945, leaving a lasting mark on postwar European intellectual and artistic life. His 1999 documentary Passages to Heaven offers a personal glimpse into the daily lives of monks across the four seasons, portraying their spiritual routines with sensitivity and intimacy. Additionally, his work Epidaurus, produced for the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, delves into the archaeological site of Epidaurus, emphasizing its historical and cultural significance in Greece.