Nana Mouskouri Reaches Out to Korean Fans
Nana Mouskouri, the 74-year old Greek songstress, began with a concert in Seoul Sunday at the Millenium Hall at Central City. She performs Tuesday at Seongnam Arts Center, then travels to Daegu for a concert Thursday, to Changwon Friday and wraps up her Korea visit with a concert Saturday in Busan through Jan. 27.
/ Yonhap
By Kim Ji-soo
Staff Reporter
Nana Mouskouri, the 74-year-old Greek songstress, who is on a farewell tour, has finally arrived in Korea.
``Every time I go to a different country, it's different cultures. So I sing some new songs. I will sing new songs (for Korean fans),'' said Mouskouri in a press conference held at J.W. Marriott Hotel in Banpo, southern Seoul, Saturday
Mouskouri is expected to perform over 40 songs, including ``Over and Over,'' "Only Love,'' ``Plasir d'amour'' and ``Lascia Chio Piangia,'' which was the original soundtrack for widely popular television drama ``To Heaven'' that aired on SBS. She plans to sing the Korean song ``White Handkerchief'' in Korean.
With over 450 albums sold worldwide, some 350 of which went gold or platinum, she has sung in her native language Greek, also in English, French and other languages. Since beginning her farewell tour in 2005 she has traveled to many countries. Mouskouri began her tour in South Korea with a concert in Seoul, Sunday, at the Millennium Hall at Central City, and will be in Korea through Jan. 27. She performs at the Seongnam Arts Center Tuesday, then travels to Daegu for a concert Thursday, to Changwon Friday and wraps up her Korea visit with a concert in Busan Saturday.
``Some countries, they (people) like my music more. There are countries that feel a deeper need to be heard… they need optimism. Greek music can be sad, but it's positive," she said, giving her views on why Koreans remain enthralled with her music.
She hopes to wind down the farewell tour in Greece either in July or August this year. When asked if she is retiring afterwards, she said that she will not do long tours, however, she will continue singing and working on social and cultural projects. On that theme, Mouskouri, who is a goodwill ambassador to UNICEF, will donate $10,000 from her ticket sales to Taean residents afflicted by the oil spill.
``It's tragic. These things happened in Europe too…This problem concerns everybody,"' she said.
As for her signature spectacles, Mouskouri said "I don't like to wear lenses,'' she said. As to that specific dark-rimmed style, she said, ``They fit my face well.''
janee@koreatimes.co.kr
