Boulgari

The boulgari is a long-necked string instrument of the tambouras family, characteristic of the music of Crete.

It has a rounded, pear-shaped body and a long, thin neck, with three pairs of thin steel strings and movable frets. The bridge is movable and the strings are fixed to the bottom end of the instrument. In shape it resembles the saz, but it is larger.

It appeared in Crete in the late 18th century and became widespread after 1915, with the arrival of refugees from Asia Minor. Its leading player is considered to be Stelios Foustalierakis (1911–1992) from Rethymno. Only in Crete and Messinia is it called 'boulgari', a name that comes from its lowest string, known as 'vourgara' or 'bourgara'; another explanation is that the name imitates its deep sound. The tambouras, boulgari or bouzouki came to Crete from Asia Minor in the early 1800s and spread after about 1870.

In the late Ottoman period these instruments were played by Christians, Turks and Turkish Cretans alike. From the early 20th century until the German Occupation, in Rethymno the boulgari accompanied the Cretan lyra and the mandolin. Between the wars it was also recorded, solo, by Stelios Foustalierakis. In this period it was used above all in the 'tabachaniotika' songs of Crete, which combine local tradition with the music of Asia Minor and rebetiko. After the war, its accompanying role beside the lyra passed mostly to the lute.