Athens honors Mikis Theodorakis

The official first day of summer, the longest day of the year, was celebrated with the naming of the beautiful green park, located on the Sacred Way and Piraeus, by the Municipality of Athens, as “Mikis Theodorakis” Park.

Located at the entrance to the city of Athens, the garden is a mental extension of the Parthenon up to the Kerameikos. The naming decision in question was made unanimously last April by the city’s municipal council.

“Mikis unites us, molds us… The garden at the junction of Piraeus and Ira Odos will bear the name of this great man. A focal point at the entrance to the city of Athena, which will forever connect Athena with Miki, Miki and Athena. A timeless relationship, one of mutual inspiration and love, now acquiring physical presence.”

With these words, the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, welcomed tonight in Gazi all the guests who attended tonight’s touching ceremony, while unveiling the marble plaque, dressed in the Greek flag, “Mikis Theodorakis Park” to the sounds of our national anthem. After all, Mikis Theodorakis is intertwined with Greece itself.

We remember Mickey because he composed, like a sheet music, all the domains that hold us together: home, the Roman he sang, human pain, the greatness of sacrifice, the love of freedom. […] This thread, solid and invisible that unites us, we owe to Mickey who gave it to us. We honor him because we owe him, ”emphasized Mr. Bakoyannis – among others.

At the event, in which the family of Mikis Theodorakis was present, Giorgos Liannis, a close friend of the great Greek composer, paid tribute. Among other things, Mr. Llanis, who seemed visibly moved, said: “I like the expression we don’t use today: master of sex. That was Mickey…. I asked him: What is your religion? Mikis answered in one word: Greece,” Mr. Llanis revealed.

After the moving naming ceremony, the Athenians attended the wonderful concert in the garden organized by the Municipality of Athens, with the participation of great artists: Glykeria, Vassilis Likas, Panagiotis Petrakis, Argyrou Kaparo, Angelos Theodorakis (Mikis’ grandson) and they were joined by a musical group tonight welcoming the new garden “Mikis Theodorakis” In the best possible way.

In concert, the Folk Orchestra “Mikis Theodorakis”, under the artistic direction of Margarita Theodorakis and musicians Manolis Karantini (bouzouki), Evangelia Mavredou (piano), Xenophon Symbolides (oboes, flutes, baglamas), Nikos Giola (guitar), Artemis Samaras (viola) , Lefteri Grifa (accordion), Theodoros Koulis (bass), Nikos Skomopoulos (drums), Stefanos Theodorakis – Papagelidedis (percussion).

Famous artists, with the most famous folk and lyrical songs and the composer – culminating in the melody of Zorba, beloved all over the world – gave in the best possible moment, World Music Day, an unforgettable evening of music for all those found there.