WHO My name is Crystalia Theodorou, but I'm known by my stage name "Corniza." I'm from the province of Kalambaka, and I've come to Athens to study and pursue my passion for music. I've been studying piano and music theory since I was a little girl, and after graduating from the Theatre Studies department, I began composing my music, using it for university projects and performances.
WHAT Athens indeed has a rich cultural heritage, and there is certainly a stage for an artist like myself to develop my craft. However, the resources to truly support the arts are severely lacking. Instead, the city's focus has shifted heavily towards tourism, with the cultural part largely pushed aside. This imbalance makes it incredibly difficult for artists to find the support and infrastructure we need to thrive.
HOW However, the struggle to balance my artistic ambitions with the practical realities of living in the Greek capital has been constant. Finding stable and affordable housing has been an enormous challenge. Landlords are often skeptical of renting to artists, assuming we won't be able to afford the rent. This has forced me to relocate multiple times, even finding myself suddenly evicted simply for being a musician.
WHERE Currently, I'm based in the Cholargos neighbourhood, which is distant from the artistic hubs of central Athens. It's not the ideal location, as I'm far from the communities of artists and creatives that I'd prefer to be connected to. But I have to house my instruments and equipment somewhere, and I have to have space to work on my music.
WHY I can't rely solely on my artistic endeavours to make a living. I've had to take on other jobs, like working at the Romantso Cultural Centre in the mornings. While I enjoy the work and the opportunity to connect with the art community, it consumes too much of the time I would otherwise devote to my music.
It means I'm in a constant state of job searching, which further limits the time I can dedicate to composing and performing.
I truly believe that both as a country and as a city, Athens should be promoting its vibrant cultural scene more than its tourism industry. The music, art, theatre, and performance scenes here are just as rich and dynamic as anywhere in Europe, but they are severely undervalued and under-resourced. I would love to see the city invest in dedicated spaces and support systems for artists so that we don't have to constantly struggle to find a home and a livelihood.
I remain determined to forge a career as a musician, even as I struggle with the practical realities of finding a home and making a living in Athens.
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