The Municipality of Syros and the Development Association of the Cyclades, promote the cultural heritage of Syros by honoring the popular composer Markos Vamvakaris through the organization of the Rembetiko Festival Markos Vamvakaris. The “patriarch” of Rebetiko was born on May 10, 1905 in the settlement of Ano Hora in Syros. His parents were poor farmers and he was the eldest of his six siblings. His grandfather wrote songs and his father played zampouna, and from an early age, young Markos accompanied the last toubi playing at various festivals. Due to the poor financial situation of his family, Markos was forced to leave school. In 1917, at age of 12, he left Syros and went to the Piraeus, where his family joined him in the following years. Find more information from this link.