Gail-Holst, several years after her classic book "The Road to Rebetiko," returns with her new edition "A Journey into Rebetiko for Young and Old," co-authored with music educator Zoe Dionysiou.

With vivid text and the unique illustrations of Thanos Kosmidis, the book attracts both young and old to discover the wonderful world of rebetiko songs.

This book began when a small bouzouki decided to tell us a story. The bouzouki lived for many years, traveled, witnessed the changing world around it, but always had a gift: whoever picked it up sang only truths. They called its owner Barba-Yanni, a carpenter by trade and an amateur musician...

The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Piraeus, the history of Greece, the wars, the struggles, and also the songs that were born in these circumstances. The bouzouki invites the young on a journey into the world of rebetiko.

Is it still possible in this difficult time we live in for rebetiko songs to make the bitter aspects of life sweet?