This classic best-selling publication has presented for the first time to the Greek and Cypriot society and music education system a small part of the Cypriot traditional songs for children implementing at the same time appropriate music teaching methodologies. The publication is widely used by school teachers in kindergarten, preprimary and primary school, children and families. In the box, there is a series of illustrated Songbooks, a compact disc with two recorded versions of eight songs in traditional and contemporary orchestration and a book with notations, explanations and music education strategies for each song.   

The publication has been accredited as a music education manual and included by the Ministry of Cyprus in the public educational system of the Republic of Cyprus. The publication led to the revival of Cypriot traditional music for children since most of the Cypriot traditional songs for children were lost in the centuries and instead were replaced by imported songs.

The melodies and lyrics of most of the songs derive from the folkloric research of the Cypriot folk musician Michalis Hadjimichael in the area of Kokkinochória in the east coast of the island. Dr Avra Pieridou Skoutella took the responsibility of designing the publication, devising the teaching methodologies, forming the children’s choir and teaching the songs and undertaking the creation and completed production of the publication.

Important musicians and artists cooperated alongside such as the composer Costas Cacogiannis who orchestrated the songs, the state awarded illustrator Louisa Kaimaki who created the songbooks’ illustrations, the traditional singer Kyriakou Pelayia, the famous Greek singer–Ambassador of UNESCO George Dalaras. In addition, 24 aged 8-12 children from the different villages of the Kokkinochória area took part in the choir.

The production of the publication was possible with the generous support of local bodies in Kokkinochória. The prime sponsor was the Municipality of Paralimni along with several private local enterprises. Media sponsors were the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation and the newspaper Politis. The publication was featured in the Main News broadcast by CyBC and in Cultural broadcasts in radio and television by CyBC, Sigma and other Cypriot channels.

For more information and purchase of the publication, please contact the CCRSM administrator Nicos Skoutellas on the number +357996283778.