Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door | Alkyone | TEDxUniversityofCrete

Introduction and the Concept of "Týchi"

• Alkyone is a songwriter from the mountains of northern Greece, specifically from Edessa, and is very happy to be speaking today, as she has been following the talks for many years (4m6s).
• The concept of "týchi" (luck or chance) initially contains the idea of defense and protection, and humans have a protective wall called the immune system, which is a key factor in the survival of the human species (4m31s).
• The immune system is a basic factor that has allowed humans to survive as a species until today, and one could say that luck exists by nature, but in recent years, it has taken on a very large and negative meaning (4m54s).
• For many people, including Alkyone, the word "týchi" evokes a sense of negativity, turmoil, and the feeling that sometimes it needs to be overcome and sometimes elevated (5m12s).

Building Doors to Luck

• Alkyone wants to share a question with the audience, which she has also asked herself: what if what occupies us should not be luck, but how we can build doors to it (5m27s).
• The idea is to focus on building doors or opportunities rather than relying on luck, and Alkyone wants to explore this concept further (5m41s).

First Musical Performance and Reflection on Music

• A song is performed, with lyrics that include the lines "πάρα π μένα μωρέ ξένε μου και πάρα πόν εμένα η ξένη τια σας χαίρεται τα νιάτα τα γραμμένα μωρε ξένε μου τα νιάτα γραμμένα" which roughly translates to "very much I, a foreigner, and very much pain, the foreign land of yours rejoices, the written youth, oh foreigner, the written youth" (6m23s).
• The song continues with the lines "σο στενο μήλο έπεται κ δώνη μαρα νοιάζει μωρε ξένε μου δώνει" which roughly translates to "so narrow apple follows and gift, it doesn't matter, oh foreigner, it gives" (7m41s).
• The performance is followed by applause and music (7m34s).
• The speaker personally started building their own door in their own wall at a relatively young age, with music being the primary tool for this process (9m22s).
• The music performed today is a result of this process, and it may seem disjointed to the audience, but the speaker believes that just as people coexist in the same world, different things can coexist in music (12m58s).
• Despite the need to categorize things for better understanding, the speaker thinks that the world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and this will continue in the future (13m35s).

Bridging Musical Worlds: David Bowie and Traditional Greek Music

• David Bowie and a traditional Greek musician are being brought together, despite being from different eras and genres, with Bowie representing pop music and the other representing classical music (13m47s).
• The idea is to imagine a meeting between these two exceptional individuals who lived in different times and created different types of music (13m54s).
• The music of David Bowie is being played, with songs including "Love" and "You" (14m51s).
• The idea is presented that music can bring people together and transcend time and genres (19m6s).

Music as a Universal Language of Dreams and Desires

• Music is seen as a way to connect with one's inner self and to express one's deepest desires and dreams, which are present from birth to death (19m12s).
• Even people who are close to death still have things they wish for and dream of, and music is seen as a way to tap into this part of human nature (19m35s).
• Music is viewed as a way to open doors and allow people to be free, with no obstacles or limitations, and to simply let go and enjoy the experience (19m50s).

Second Musical Performance: A Traditional Greek Song

• A traditional Greek song is being played, with lyrics that express a desire to say goodbye to a loved one and to ask for their mother's help (20m8s).
• The song also expresses a desire to see the loved one one last time and to ask them to take care of their mother (20m31s).
• The idea is presented that music can be a way to connect with others and to express one's deepest emotions and desires (19m47s).
• A mother's love and faith are described as being present in one's mind, with the mother being asked to hold and protect her child, and the child seeking comfort in the mother's arms (21m7s).
• The child asks the mother to be present when they are ill, and to come to them when they are in need, with the mother's presence being a source of comfort (23m17s).

The Importance of Building Doors and Gentle Persistence

• The concept of doors and gates is introduced, with a focus on the idea that it is more important to build and open doors rather than to tear them down, as the act of tearing down is seen as a form of violence (24m1s).
• The idea of gentle persistence is emphasized, with the belief that if enough doors are opened, luck will no longer be a significant factor (24m20s).
• The title of the presentation is inspired by a quote from Emily Dickinson, which translates to "not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door" (24m37s).

Conclusion

• The presentation concludes with a message of appreciation and a wish for the audience's well-being (24m46s).