Renowned composer Manos Hadjidakis. Photo source: Finos Film
The Greek Culture Ministry recently announced that 2026 will be dedicated to celebrating the life and work of renowned composer Manos Hadjidakis, marking the 100th anniversary of his birth.
According to the ministry, the initiative honors Hadjidakis’ pioneering role in modern Greek music, blending lyrical and traditional elements to bring Greek folk sounds to international prominence.
“As both an artist and an intellectual, Manos Hadjidakis established his own creative principles and freely expressed his liberal ideas through his writings and public statements, often deliberately diverging from the dominant trends of his time,” said Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.
The ministry plans to collaborate with cultural organizations to develop a comprehensive program that will reintroduce Hadjidakis’ work to younger generations and reassess his enduring impact on modern Greek culture.
Who was Manos Hadjidakis
Photo source: Greek National Opera
Born in Xanthi on October 23, 1926, and raised in Athens, Hadjidakis was largely self-taught as a pianist and music theorist. He began composing in the 1940s and quickly became a defining voice in postwar Greek music.
A pioneer in modernizing Greek sounds, he elevated rebetiko and other traditional genres to high art, earning international acclaim – including an Academy Award for the song Never on Sunday (1961).
Hadjidakis’ contributions extended beyond composition. He served as director of the Greek National Opera, founded the Orchestra of Colours to promote classical and contemporary works, and used his public voice to champion freedom of expression and cultural progress. His work helped shape Greece’s modern artistic identity, merging social insight with lyrical and philosophical depth.
Manos Hadjidakis passed away in 1994, but his influence on music and culture endures. The upcoming year of tribute will offer audiences, scholars, and new generations a unique opportunity to experience the breadth of his artistic vision and the lasting imprint of his work on Greek cultural life.
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