Mikis Theodorakis was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Bosporus University (Bogazici Universitesi) in Istanbul.
Thanking the University for the honour, he referred to the common musical tradition shared by modern Greece and Turkey.
He addressed the audience at the University's Hall of Ceremonies via a satellite link from his home in Athens, an audience that was moved by his reference to Greek-Turkish friendship, of which he was one of the leading promoters in the '80's and '90's. He also underlined that he is "filled with joy just hearing the word 'Bosporus'", saying he associates it with the Byzantine musical tradition and the very similar traditional scales of Greek - up to Rembetiko - and Turkish music, which were a source of inspiration for many of his works.
The Rector of the University presented the award to Maria Farantouri, the world famous singer so closely associated with many of Theodorakis's best known works. Maria Farantouri concluded the moving ceremony with songs by the maestro.
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