INTRODUCING THE MORGANS (XIV), XÈNIA MORGAN

Hi, I'm Xènia Morgan and I was born in Ιθάκη (Ithaki), Ιόνιο Πέλαγος (Ionian Sea). From a very young age I was fascinated by music and illustration. I am a tuner.

A few months ago, I discovered that the famous Welsh pirate Henry Morgan was an ancestor of mine and that I had brothers and sisters to meet. Thanks to The Grandma, an Andorran grandmother, who made every effort to locate us, today I know them all and to celebrate this meeting we decided to spend two months together travelling and reviewing our level of English because we have all decided to retire to Kingston, Jamaica, to enjoy the Morgan fortune, and English is its official language.

-What's your full name?

-My name is Eleni Papadopoulou.

-How do you spell your second surname?

-P-A-P-A-D-O-P-O-U-L-O-U

-Are you a student? What are you studying?

-No, I'm not a student. I completed my studies in music and acoustics several years ago.

-Are you working? What is your job?

-Yes, I am. I'm an instrument tuner. I tune pianos and other musical instruments to make sure they produce the correct sound and perform at their best.

-Do you like your job? Why?

-Yes, I do. I enjoy working with music and helping musicians achieve the best possible sound. Every instrument has its own character, which makes my work interesting.

-Where are you from?

-I'm from Ithaki, a small island in Greece.

-How long have you lived there?

-I lived there throughout my childhood and early adulthood. Although I travel for work, Ithaki will always be my home.

-Why are you studying English?

-I'm studying English because I often work with musicians from different countries. It also helps me read technical manuals and attend international workshops.

-How long have you been studying English?

-I've been studying English for about two months. I started learning with The Morgans and continue using it regularly in my profession.

-Tell me about your town.

-Ithaki is a beautiful Greek island with crystal-clear waters, green hills, and a rich history. It is traditionally associated with the legendary home of Odysseus.

-What music do you like?

-I enjoy classical music, jazz, and traditional Greek music. Listening to different styles of music helps me develop my ear for tuning instruments.

-Can you play any instrument?

-Yes, I can play the piano and the violin. Learning to play instruments has helped me understand how important accurate tuning is.

-Tell me about your favourite place.

-My favourite place is Vathy Harbour. I love sitting by the water, sketching the boats, and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

-What do you like doing in your free time?

-In my free time, I love illustration. I enjoy drawing landscapes, people, and scenes from everyday life. I also like reading, walking, and visiting art exhibitions.

-Do you practise any sport? Which?

-Yes, I do. I enjoy swimming and hiking. Living on an island gives me many opportunities to spend time outdoors.

-How did you become interested in tuning instruments?

-I became interested in it while studying music. I was fascinated by how small adjustments could completely change the quality of a sound.

-What is the most difficult part of your job?

-The most difficult part is working on very old instruments. They often require a lot of patience and careful attention.

-Why is tuning important?

-Tuning is important because even a talented musician cannot perform well if the instrument is out of tune. Good tuning improves the overall musical experience.

-How did you become interested in illustration?

-I've loved drawing since I was a child. It allows me to express my creativity and capture moments that inspire me.

-Do music and illustration influence each other in your life?

-Yes, they do. Music often inspires my drawings, and illustration helps me think creatively when solving problems in my work.

-Would you like to combine your two interests in the future?

-Yes, I would. I'd love to create illustrated books about musical instruments and the stories behind them.

-How is a normal day with The Morgans?

-We haven't got similar days. Every day is different and this is something very important because it offers to you the possibility of living fantastic experiences every day and you can enjoy them with all your heart because you know that next day you're going to put the score to zero and we're going to start again. It's a non-stopping life.

-Which is your best memory with The Morgans?

-It's difficult to choose only one. I remembered when we travelled to different places and I was drawing our adventures. I love drawing and being able to draw the family has been something very special for me.

-Which is your favourite song?

-I'm Ioanian. I love Mikis Theodorakis and Kharis Alexiu, but I will choose the poem that has made my island most famous, 'Ithaka' by Konstantinos Petru Kavafis, a poem that talks about life and death and which was recited in English by Sir Sean Connery with music composed by another legendary Greek, Evànguelos Odisseas Papathanassiu aka Vangelis.

Παντα στoν νoυ σoυ ναχεις την Ιθακη.
Τo φθασιμoν εκει ειν o πρooρισμoς σoυ.
Aλλα μη βιαζεις τo ταξειδι διoλoυ.
Καλλιτερα χρoνια πoλλα να διαρκεσει 
και γερoς πια ν'αραξεις στo νησι,
πλoυσιoς με oσα κερδισες στo δρoμo,
μη πρoσδoκωντας πλoυτη να σε δωσει η Ιθακη.
       
Η Ιθακη σ'εδωσε τ'ωραιo ταξειδι.
Χωρις αυτην δεν θα βγαινες στoν δρoμo.
Αλλα δεν εχει να σε δωσει πια.
       
Κι αν πτωχικη την βρεις, η Ιθακη δε σε γελασε.
Ετσι σoφoς πoυ εγινες, με τoση πειρα,
ηδη θα τo καταλαβες oι Ιθακες τι σημαινoυν.

 Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you’re destined for.
But don’t hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you’re old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you’ve gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.

Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you wouldn't have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.

And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you’ll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.

Konstantinos Petru Kavafis