A second-generation Greek-Canadian teenager played the Cretan lyra on August 15 in his home village of Agios Vasilios Pedias in Crete and stole the show.
The celebration was on fire and the well-known artist Dimitris Kounalis excitedly congratulated young Paris, telling him to continue because he has great talent.
According to neakriti, little Paris Papadakis, as he is called, is a self-taught lyra player of the expatriate community. He was not taught the lyra by teachers but by himself, keeping Crete and its sounds alive in far-off Canada.
His grandfather started decades ago from St. Basil Plains as an immigrant to Canada. That’s where his father Paris’ father, Matthew, was born and Paris and his other 4 brothers were also born in Canada. Paris plays the Lyra as a professional, his brother plays the lute while all five brothers, 4 boys, and one girl dance Cretan dances with a unique flare.
The Papadakis family has been in Crete since last May on vacation and will return to Canada in October.
The videos from the feast on August 15 in Agios Vasilios Pedias have already gone viral on TikTok.
@matthewpapadakis1♬ original sound – Matthew Papadakis
@matthewpapadakis1♬ original sound – Matthew Papadakis
