Greece’s culture ministry last week declared that 2025 would be dedicated to Mikis Theodorakis, arguably the most prominent composer and artistic personality in the country’s post-war “golden era” of musical achievement and international influence in the arts.
The decision, announced by Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, came on July 29, the centenary of Theodorakis’ birth. The renowned musician and lyricist, who scored the soundtracks for Zorba the Greek (1964), Z (1968) and Serpico (1973) during his prolific career, passed away in September 2021 at the age of 96.
As a composer, Theodorakis set to music works by Greece’s Nobel laureates Giorgos Seferis and Odysseas Elytis, along with Yiannis Ritsos, Rena Chatzidaki, Tasos Leivaditis, Nikos Gatsos, Chile’s Pablo Neruda (another laureate), Federico Garcia Lorca and Brendan Behan, among others.
“One need only grasp the multifaceted nature of his life’s work to appreciate the state’s clear obligation to showcase Theodorakis the composer, the political fighter, the politician, the thinker, the citizen. His life and works represent an inalienable cultural heritage for Greece and Greeks everywhere, but it is also of universal relevance. Mikis Theodorakis’ music is unique in the way it expresses the deepest-rooted desires of our people, from our everyday cares to the establishment–for now and always–of an open, inclusive and democratic society,” Mendoni noted in her speech announcing “Theodorakis Year”.
The announcement coincides with the debut – on Sept 2, the anniversary of his death – of a new YouTube channel devoted to the creator: the Mikis Theodorakis YouTube Artist Channel www.youtube.com/@MikisTheodorakisOfficial.
The initiative, by Schott Music in cooperation with Aviator Management, will be curated by Asteris Koutoulas, one of Theodorakis’ long-time collaborators.
The new channel seeks to give the iconic and universal composer “a digital home and a global platform for his music, thoughts, humor and competitive democratic spirit,” the organizers said, also speaking on the hundredth anniversary of Mikis Theodorakis’ birth.
The inauguration of the new channel will kick off the MIKIS 100 project, which includes a website focused on the artist and his work, along with social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok).
