ERASMUS+ CLICHE presents Bell making in Amfissa, Greece

1. THE CRAFT OF BELL-MAKING IN AMFISSA, GREECE
ERASMUS+ CLICHE
#WhereIsClicheToday

2. The sounds of the flocks entail
melodies endured through history.
The bells have been used for
centuries in livestock farming for
locating animals, if not the least.
Shepherds up to this day, provide
their flocks with ringing-sounds by
hanging different types and sizes of
bells on the neck of the animals. The
type of bell changes according to the
age and the size of the animal and
the season of the year.
Every flock is a musical orchestra!
Each bell has its own tone. And all
together shape a unique harmonious
sound in unison for each herd.
Every flock is a musical orchestra!
The bell is not simply a tool, but an
audio sound transmitter, thanks to
which the shepherds are able to
acquire a special communication
code with their flocks.
Experienced shepherds can
understand, when their flock is
grazing, walking, running, if its
hunted, if it is drinking water;
attacked by flies, or if there is a
quarrel between the animals!
They easily understand if the bell
they hear is from a kid, a lamb, a
sheep or a goat and they easily
identify the one which has left the
rest of the herd!
The melody of a flock!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU-ta4Szq6w
The forerunner of GPS

3. The traditional bell craftsman’s art
had flourished in the city of
Amfissa and became the city’s
hallmark since the 19th century.
In 1930 the folklorist Dimitrios
Loukopoulos in his book of
compositions «The Poimenika of
Roumeli», that depicts rural life in
the specific region, wrote:
«The mother of all bells was the
Salona area, with its well-known
workshops. The Salonians would
flood the whole area of Roumeli –
the central geographical region of
mainland Greece – with bells made
by their craftily skilled hands».
In the old days, these bell craftsmen
were known as «koudounarides» or
«lerades» – local folklore terminology,
indicating their profession.
«The development of livestock farming
within the traditional agricultural society
until the last great war, brought their
crafted trade at a very prominent
position, as the bell was a necessary
part of the herd» says Katie Kamilakis,
director of the Hellenic Folklore
Research Center of Academy of Athens.
A short video, dating back in 1981, about bell making in Amfissa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isbEfkfBZtc

4. In general, the art of bell-
manufacturing in Amfissa, had
dwindled down due to certain
general social developments
that characterized both, this
profession and livestock
farming in our country overall.
The hand-made «Salonian»
bells have been among the top
of their kind, enjoying great
popularity and acceptance
throughout Greece and have
often received exceptional
honors and ratings, such as at
the International Trade Fair of
Thessaloniki and elsewhere.
The sound of bells was used in the
radio and TV stations of the
Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation
(ERT): from 1938 to 1997 in First
Programme (radio), from 1966 to
1996 was used as the ident of ET1
(tv), from 1987 to 2013 and from
2015 till today is the ident of Voice
of Greece (the international service
of Greek state radio on shortwave
and via satellite and the internet).
The Hellenic TV and Radio ident
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_jNvmGDqwk

5. http://ligapola.blogspot.com/2010/08/blog-post.html
https://youtu.be/aYyEH_8Huv0
One of the few bell-makers left
Christos Papadimas from Amfissa or Salona, an hour away from Levadia,
Greece, is one of the last Greek bell makers today. He sees the craft being
lost forever.
‘’The handmade bell-making has a tradition
of centuries in Salona. In the old days there
were many bell shops in the city with
dozens of craftsmen. I just wanted to make
a living, but this job turned out to be a
lifetime one. The bell is not just a tool. It is
a communication code. I can distinguish its
sounds like human voices. For me it is my
life. That is why I am very sorry that this art
is disappearing forever ".

6. Bells regain their ancient quality, ie
as amulets, deterrents, magic and
protective musical objects and
musical instruments in various
customs and events that have their
roots in ancient Greece and,
mainly, in the worship of the
Dionysus, as well as in the church.

7. «Κρυφό έχω τον καημό, η τέχνη πάει να σβήσει
Γιατί δε βρίσκεται κανείς να μ’ αντικαταστήσει!»
« Sorrow rises deep inside me,
My craft is on the blink of disappearing for ever,
Why there is no one to replace me!»
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