Philosophy and Rebetiko

Friday 13th March, 2026

Philosophy and Rebetiko with Katerina Clambaneva and Miriam Cohen Christofidis

An evening of philosophical enquiry and rebetiko music celebrating women in rebetiko.

At this moment in time, we need more opportunities for connection and coming together. Join us for an evening celebrating women in community with stimulating discussion in a relaxed, safe space followed by music. The discussion will be led by philosophy facilitator Miriam Cohen Christofidis. Miriam will encourage us all to follow our ideas wherever they take us. She will give us an opportunity to be heard and to hear the ideas of others. Music will include a programme of Rebetiko songs highlighting this theme featuring singer Katerina Clambaneva accompanied by some of London’s best Rebetiko musicians. The hope is that at the end of the evening the exchange of ideas and songs will leave us feeling connected in community.

“the unexamined life is not worth living” Plato’s Apology (38a5–6): Philosophical enquiry is a process of being curious and asking focused questions, thinking critically and reflecting on ideas to gain understanding.

Women have played an important role in rebetiko music either as the object of affection in the songs or as the singers sharing their powerful stories through song such as Roza Eskenazy, Rita Apatzi, Sotiria Bellou, Marika Ninou, Ioanna Georgakopoulou, Stella Haskil and more. Some of the key themes are love and loss, unrequited love, loss of family, love and marriage, and the mother figure.

Miriam Cohen Christofidis: Philosophy Facilitator

Musicians
Katerina Clambaneva: Vocals
Maria Tsirodimitri: Vocals, guitar
Aglaϊa Carvalho-Dubost: Vocals, double bass
Laetitia Carvalho-Dubost: Vocals, hand percussion 
Pavlos Carvalho: Bouzouki, vocals