Greece
The prominent Greek composer Mikis Theodhorakis, but known throughout the world, died today at the age of 96. Mikis (Mihail) Theodhorakis, born on July 29, 1925 on the island of Chios, was Greece’s most prominent composer and one of the country’s most important contemporary personalities, with a career of world fame.
Mikis Theodhorakis has left behind a rich musical legacy as a composer, lyricist and conductor. His work as an activist and politician has also had a great impact on the socio-political issues of Greece.
Theodorakis was a member of the resistance to the Nazi occupation of Greece in World War II.
He was also a leading figure opposing military rule in Greece from 1967-1974.
Mikis Theodhorakis was a four-time member of the Greek parliament. For his important role as an activist and humanist, he was awarded the Peace Prize in 1983.
Mikis Theodorakis became even more famous for the music from the 1964 film Zorba the Greek. Zorba the Greek told the story of an English writer in Crete whose life changes when he meets the villager Alexis Zorba. The scene where Zorba dances barefoot on the beach became a popular image of Greek culture. The theme from the film, which won three Academy Awards, remains perhaps the most famous piece of Greek music more than half a century later.
“Today we lost a part of the soul of Greece,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni wrote on Twitter, calling him “the one who made all Greeks sing poetry.”
(BalkanWeb)
© BalkansWeb
