Musikarama is an independent, grassroots project that connects people and communities through music.
We run free and inclusive music workshops, weekly jams and live events, from our open-access music education space and recording studio.
We are an entirely volunteer run, not-for-profit organisation committed to creating a fun and safe space for learning and sharing music.
Our aim is to bring together the diverse communities of Athens through music, with a particular focus on young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
We have a regular weekly schedule of activities catering for any skill level – whether you’re involved in music already or picking up an instrument for the first time.
Additionally we have various special events and programmes throughout the year offering unique musical experiences, opportunities and training.
OUR APPROACH
Musikarama proposes alternative ways of creating music to that of the mainstream music industry. Instead of competition, individualism or profit, the project gives people a chance to explore, express and share creativity freely.
We encourage free encounter and collaboration, and explore the transformational ability of music to erase social, racial and national divisions. Our shared values lie in embodying and spreading collectivism, the sharing of culture and art, and reciprocity.
OUR BACKGROUND
The project began in 2017, with the formation of a band of musicians from the Kurdish regions, Syria, Nigeria, Iran, UK and Greece. The band performed throughout in Athens and the Greek Islands, including Leros and Tinos.
In 2018, members of the band also started providing regular music activities for children in Malakassa and Enoufita refugee camps, in cooperation with other non-profit and grassroots organisations such as the Jafra Foundation, Khora and ECHO library, and participated in the European Outcast Exhibition.
After the closure of Malakassa camp, we began looking for our own space to continue the project. In 2019, we found a space that we could renovate and build into a music studio. This studio created a hub for our community to rehearse, record, mix, stream and publish their music, radio shows, podcasts and live performances.
In 2022, after a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, we reopened our doors with a brand new timetable of workshops and music classes, including a collaboration with ANKAA Project which brought together 40 people from nine countries creating music for a theatrical performance.
