About half of the instruments forming the Anoyanakis Collection are on public display in the Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments. They have been selected on the criterion not only of their aesthetic and decorative value but, in particular, of their ethnological and musicological interest.
The remaining instruments are available for research and for traveling exhibitions to be held in schools etc and for occasional exhibitions of a special nature.
The permanent exhibition is spread over three floors and divided into four sections, corresponding to the groups of determined by the material that is made to vibrate in order to produce sound.
As you entering the building first you see on the right side some instruments that all together makes, what in old times in Greece was called “Kompania”. At least four different instruments were needed in order this small group of players to become a “Kompania” and so could perform in taverns or even on the streets around Athens or anywhere else in the Greek suburbs.
Very little for the Greek Folk Music is world wide known, yet this particular music “plays” a very important role through the history especially in times of war or poverty and in the long periods of occupation by another country.
Music was heard all around Greece no matter how difficult the every day life it was. It became part of the greek culture and a reason for eveyone to be patient and remain strong and happy during the troublous circumstances.
The Museum of Greek&Folk Instruments brings the visitors a little closer to this reality and teach them how important the music for the greek nation was and will be. This music were made by mostly uneducated people yet self-taught and that makes the fact greater. The visitor has also the opportunity to hear every instrument in the museum using headphones on the side of every exhibition window.
The entrance is free to the audience.
