Hundreds of young and old celebrated the centenary of the birth of Mikis Theodorakis at an event organised by the World Council of Cretans (WCC) together with the Municipality of Chania, the Region of Crete and the Pan-Cretan Association of Friends of Mikis Theodorakis, in Chania on Sunday, August 3.
The action began early in the afternoon with a visit of the WCC to Theodorakis’ grave and his ancestral home in Galatas, Chania, during which they were given a tour by Matthew Frantzeskakis on behalf of the Pan-Cretan Association of Friends of Mikis Theodorakis and the Deputy Mayors for Culture of the municipalities of Chania and Nea Kydonia, Yiannis Giannakakis and Yiannis Drakakis, respectively.
Later in the afternoon, hundreds of people walked from the Maritime Museum of Crete singing Theodorakis’ songs. Led by Paralympic and World Swimming Champion, Antonios Tsapatakis, they arrived at the square behind the Giali Mosque.
President of the WCC, Nikos Kastrinakis, stated: “The universal Mikis Theodorakis, a musician of enormous scope, our compatriot Cretan, honours not only us Cretans but the entire Hellenism with his work, his struggles, and his philosophy!” He chose our place to stay forever. “
“As 100 years have passed since the birth of Mikis, he is honoured all over the world,” Mr Kastrinakis added.
“For those of us who live outside Greece, the syrtaki is the trademark of Hellenism in any event that seeks to express Greek identity, but the work of Mikis goes far beyond the syrtaki. it expresses the entire spectrum of people. It was our obligation to honour him in a way that everyone participates because that is what Mikis always wanted.”
Mr Kastrinakis thanked Mr Tsapatakis for his participation in the event but also for the fact that, as he said, “he makes us all proud, is a source of inspiration for everyone and proves in practice that everyone can participate in everything.” Mr Tsapatakis was presented with an honorary distinction on behalf of the WCC.
Mr Kastrinakis also thanked the Municipality of Chania, the Region of Crete and the Pan-Cretan Association of Friends of Mikis Theodorakis for accepting the WCC’s proposal to hold the event, as well as all the Associations and citizens who took part.
Greetings were delivered by the Regional Councillor for Expatriate Cretans, Sofia Malandraki-Krasoudaki, and the Deputy Mayors of Culture, Yiannis Giannakakis and Tourism, Nektarios Psaroudakis, of the Municipality of Chania.
The hundreds of participants sang and danced to Mikis’ songs and the event closed with a magnificent syrtaki by everyone.
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