ERTFLIX International honors the memory of Mikis Theodorakis on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the great composer’s birth. Starting Tuesday, 29 July 2025, Greeks abroad will have the opportunity to watch concerts dedicated to Mikis Theodorakis, as well as rare archival material from his interviews on ERT programs.
Specifically:
ERT travels to Egypt, honoring the Hellenism of Egypt
Concert by the ERT National Orchestra at the Cairo Opera House
Marking 100 years since the birth of Mikis Theodorakis, the ERT National Symphony Orchestra traveled to Egypt and, in collaboration with the Cairo Opera’s “A Cappella” Choir, presented the monumental work “Zorbas” on 08 April 2025 in the main hall of the Cairo Opera House. Conducted by Michalis Economou, Chief Conductor of the ERT National Symphony Orchestra, with mezzo-soprano Nefeli Kotseli as soloist, this grand concert was held in collaboration with the Greek Embassy in Cairo, the Egyptian Ministry of Culture / Department of International Cultural Relations, and the Cairo Opera.
Featuring: the “A Cappella Choir” of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra.
In the World of Mikis Theodorakis
Concert by the ERT Contemporary Music Orchestra – A tribute
A concert held two years after the passing of Mikis Theodorakis, featuring the ERT Contemporary Music Orchestra and Betty Harlafti. Under the direction of Giorgos Aravidis, the performance took place in the courtyard of ERT’s historic Broadcasting House, presenting Theodorakis’ final album. The program includes beloved songs by the composer, including selections from the album “Betty Harlafti in the World of Mikis Theodorakis”, produced by ERT and arranged by Yiannis Belonis. These tracks were recorded with symphonic sound at ERT before Theodorakis’ death. The event highlights the ongoing bond between ERT and its former director of music ensembles—Mikis Theodorakis himself.
85 Years Mikis Theodorakis
Concert at Lycabettus – Parts A & B
On Lycabettus Hill, Athens was illuminated by the notes and memories of a life devoted to music, art, and Greece. To celebrate Mikis Theodorakis’ 85th birthday, friends, collaborators, and artists took to the stage for an evening full of gratitude, emotion, and song.
Participants included: The Mikis Theodorakis Folk Orchestra, Loukianos Kilaidonis, Lavrentis Machairitsas, Dionysis Savvopoulos, Nena Venetsanou, Kalliopi Vetta, Lia Vissi, Maria Vlachou, Petros Gaitanos, Glykeria, Doros Demosthenous, Vassia Zilou, Antonis Kalogiannis, Vasilis Lekkas, Mary Linda, Dimitris Basis, Petros Pandis, Sofia Papazoglou, Natalia Rasouli, Yiannis Sidiras, Alexandros Chatzis, Lina Orfanos, Kakia Igerinou, Bessy Malfa, Yiannis Bezos, Katerina Papoutsaki, Panagiotis Petrakis, Anna Fonsou, Vasilis Charalampopoulos, Gerhard Folkerts, Zülfü Livaneli, Areti Ketime, and Manolis Rasoulis.
Presented by Alexis Kostalas.
Art Café – Mikis Theodorakis
ERT Archive 1985 (Parts A & B)
In part one, guests include Mikis Theodorakis, Antonis Kalogiannis, Dimitris Mitropanos, Maria Dimitriadi, Petros Pandis, and Vasilis Papakonstantinou.– Vasilis Papakonstantinou performs “One Day I’ll Tell You”
– Antonis Kalogiannis sings “Epitaphios”
– Maria Dimitriadi and Mikis Theodorakis perform “Another Country”
– Petros Pandis sings “A Hostage”
– Dimitris Mitropanos performs “Beautiful City”
Footage is shown from Theodorakis’ concerts, including black-and-white clips with Maria Farantouri and from the 16 October 1982 concert in Leipzig, Germany, where Gunther Emmerlich sings “Axion Esti” in German at the Gewandhaus concert hall.
Part two opens with concert footage from the Netherlands featuring Haroula Farantouri, Petros Pandis and others, with a Dutch host introducing them. Also featured are scenes from Costa-Gavras’s film Z, with Mikis Theodorakis offering commentary.
Artists performing in this segment include Thanasis Moraitis, Stamatis Kokotas, Aliki Kayaloglou, Antonis Kalogiannis, Petros Pandis, Yiannis Psomopoulos, Maria Dimitriadi, and Vasilis Papakonstantinou, paying tribute to Mikis Theodorakis’ musical legacy.
Viewers will also see clips from concerts, the German documentary Qvo Vadis Mikis – Fragen an Theodorakis (1982) by Charlotte Kerr, and photographic material documenting Theodorakis’ political and artistic life.
The program closes with Mimis Plessas at the piano.
TV Direction: Nestoras Pavellas
Curated by: Kostas Ferris
Presented by: Vasilis Tsivilikas, Mimis Plessas, and Kostas Ferris
Monogramma – Episode: “Mikis Theodorakis – My Homelands”
ERT Archive 2005
Mikis Theodorakis speaks about his roots and his family’s memories, from Crete and Asia Minor to Chios. He shares stories about his father Giorgos Theodorakis and his mother Aspasia Poulaki, recalling nostalgic summers in Çeşme. The camera follows him to symbolic places of memory and cultural exchange, in the context of the 2005 “Theodorakeia” events. The program includes footage from a concert with Zülfü Livaneli and songs performed by Maria Farantouri.
Director: Iro Sgouraki
The Story of My Times – “Mikis Theodorakis – 1964”
ERT Archive 2004
This episode features Mikis Theodorakis focusing on the pivotal year 1964, a landmark in both his musical and political life. He speaks about setting Odysseas Elytis’s Axion Esti to music, the challenges of the production, and the public’s initial reactions. He also discusses composing the score for Michael Cacoyannis’ Zorba the Greek and reflects on the political climate of the time and his leadership of the Lambrakis Youth. The narrative is supported by rare archival footage and photographs.
Writer & Director: Stelios Charalampopoulos
For more information, visit the ERTFLIX International website.
