Kyriakos Gouventas

Kyriakos Gouventas, born in Thessaloniki, is widely regarded as one of Greece’s leading traditional violinists. Trained at the Conservatoire of Northern Greece, he bridges the classical and traditional worlds with rare finesse. Over the past four decades, he has performed in more than a thousand concerts across Greece and abroad, collaborating with major orchestras (as the State Orchestra of Thessaloniki), chamber ensembles, and many of the most influential figures in Greek traditional, rebetiko and contemporary music. His recording career, which began in 1989, includes numerous landmark albums in the Greek music scene.

A founding member of Estoudiantina Neas Ionias, he has also toured the world with Savina Yannatou & Primavera en Salonico, bringing Greek musical traditions to international stages. In 2004, he was selected by SOAS (University of London) to represent Greek traditional music at the Genius of the Violin festival.

As a dedicated teacher, Kyriakos has shaped a generation of young musicians through his long-term positions at the Technological Educational Institute of Epirus, the University of Macedonia, the Athens Conservatoire, and other institutions. He also teaches widely at seminars and festivals in Europe, including the Summer Music Academy (Belgium), SOAS (London), and Fiddlers on the Move (Ghent).

Deeply rooted in tradition yet always curious, Kyriakos continues to inspire through performances and seminars across Greece, such as Music Village in Pelion, Music Yards in Ikaria, and the Rebetiko Festival in Syros.