ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Alexandros Xénos: A Greek Composer and Resistance Fighter

Alexandros Xénos (Alécos Xénos; May 2, 1912, Zakynthos, Greece – 1995, Athens, Greece) was a renowned Greek composer who played a significant role in the country's musical heritage. Born on the island of Zakynthos, Xénos grew up in an orphanage after his parents passed away when he was just two years old. It was during this formative period that he developed a deep connection with music through folk singer Spyros Moroulia.

Xénos began his musical journey as a tromboneist, performing with orchestras of melodramatic troupes visiting Zakynthos. At the age of 20, he joined the Athens Music Guard and simultaneously enrolled at the prestigious Athens Conservatory to study trombone under notable instructors such as Dimitris Mitropoulos, F. Economides, and George Slave. His involvement in trade union struggles and the establishment of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) was also evident during this period.

In 1936, Xénos became actively involved in the struggle for workers' rights, participating in the formation of the Confederation of Greek Workers (COM). He joined the National Liberation Front of Greece (EAM) and served as secretary to the KKE Intellectuals' Act – Artists. Throughout the occupation, he contributed significantly to the creation of EAM music groups and published the illegal newspaper of the Panhellenic Music Association.

Xénos's involvement in the Resistance Movement was marked by his participation in sabotaging a German celebration at the Olympia Theatre in 1943, which led to him being sacked from the Athens State Orchestra. Despite this setback, he continued to compose music that reflected his commitment to the Greek people and their struggle for independence.

Some of Xénos's notable works include Symphony No. 1 (1945), symphonic poem "New Suliots" (1941), Symphonic poem Digenis Is Not Dead (1956), and symphonic poem "Spartacus" (1963). His composition "Cyprus is Our Hellas" (1966) was written to honor the national liberation struggle, while his work inspired by the sacrifice of Nikos Belloyannis, titled "Digenus did not die," was first performed by the EIP Symphony Orchestra in 1952.

Xénos's