JULY 26TH:
On this day in 1940, Tolis Voskopoulos, the beloved Greek singer, actor, and cultural icon whose career spanned over five decades, was born. Known for his rich voice, charismatic stage presence, and romantic ballads, he became one of Greece’s most successful and enduring performers in the ‘laïkó’ genre. Voskopoulos released dozens of hit albums and starred in numerous films and theatrical productions, captivating audiences with both his music and acting. He was widely admired for his emotional depth and elegance. Married to actress and politician Angela Gerekou, he remained a fixture in Greek public life until his passing, leaving behind a treasured artistic legacy.
Also on this day in 1992, Jenny Karezi, one of Greece’s most celebrated actresses, known for her powerful performances on stage and screen, passed away. A graduate of the National Theatre of Greece, she starred in numerous acclaimed films during the 1950s-70s, including ‘The Red Lanterns’ and ‘Lola’, earning praise for her elegance, emotional depth, and commanding presence. Beyond acting, Karezi became a symbol of resistance during the Greek dictatorship, using her voice to advocate for democracy and justice. In her final years, she co-founded the Jenny Karezi Foundation, offering palliative care services. Her legacy endures as a cultural icon of strength, artistry, and compassion.
JULY 28TH:
On this day in 1974, Alexis Tsipras, the Greek politician who served as Prime Minister of Greece from 2015 to 2019, was born. As the leader of the left-wing SYRIZA party, he rose to prominence during Greece’s financial crisis, campaigning against austerity measures imposed by international creditors. Despite initial resistance, his government eventually agreed to bailout terms to stabilize the economy. Tsipras is known for his charismatic style and populist appeal, especially among younger voters. He resigned as SYRIZA leader in 2023 after electoral defeat.
JULY 29TH:
On this day in 1925, Mikis Theodorakis, the renowned Greek composer, was born on the island of Chios. During his lengthy career, Theodorakis composed some of the most recognizable and iconic music in the world, including the film scores for ‘Zorba the Greek’ and ‘Z’. His composition titled ‘The Ballad of Mauthausen’, based on the poems of Iakovos Kambanellis, has been described as “the most beautiful musical work ever written about the Holocaust.” During the junta, Theodorakis’ music was banned and Theodorakis himself was jailed and sent to prison camps. He was eventually allowed to go into exile in France after an international solidarity movement demanded his release. The generations of Greeks who grew up with his songs continue to sing them regardless of political affiliation and in spite of the fact that Theodorakis has long been associated with the Greek Left. (As an aside, though he had ties to the Communist Party, he served as a government minister under conservative Constantine Mitsotakis in the early 1990’s). Today, Theodorakis is revered for his outstanding contributions to music and to society at large.
