2001

21.01. The staging of Aristophanes' "Lysistrata" - with a "modern twist" -, a score by Mikis Theodorakis.will be one of the events of the Cultural Olympiad 2002-2004.

Spring Theodorakis finishes the orchestration of his new opera "Lysistrati".

Spring Theodorakis writes the stage music for "Medea" by Euripides.

21.5. Important concert at Irodion with "March of the Spirit" and "Axion Esti" (new versions).

05.06. During his official visit in Greece, Slovenian President, Milan Kucan, has a meeting with Mikis Theodorakis.

11.06. For the 60th anniversary of the "Battle of Crete", Theodorakis is nominated Honorary Chairman of the Pancretian Union.

20.06. "Zorba" is presented by the National Opera at the International Opera and Ballet Festival in Turkey

23.06. At the ancient stadium of Delphi commemorated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations' High Commission for Refugees. During the event, the High Commission's representative in Athens, F. Rojas Rodriguez, honoured Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis for his contribution to the international humanitarian organization's efforts.

21.07. Big success for the concert of Yannis Parios: "O erotikos Theodorakis" at Lykavittos.

23.07. Mikis Theodorakis and Stavros Xarhakos are awarded honorary plaques by Costas Karamanlis, chairman of ND,

24.07. Mikis Theodorakis has agreed to head a committee that will commission a monument on the island of Yiaros for those who fought for democracy.The project was proposed by Prime Minister Costas Simitis during a visit to the island this week to commemorate the 27th anniversary since democracy was restored in Greece.

Summer Numerous concerts in Greece and Cyprus to honour Mikis Theodorakis

24.08. At the antique Theatre of Epidavros, "Medea" by Euripides is performed in a production by Spyros Evangelatos, with the new music-score of Theodorakis, especially composed for this production. Theodorakis dedicates his score to Guy Wagner.

Octobre Published by the International Foundation Mikis Theodorakis FILIKI, a bilingual version (German-French) of Theodorakis's Poems ia published at Editions PHI, Luxembourg and offficially presented at the Book Fair in Francfurt. (Invited country: Greece). Theodorakis is unable to assist.

08.11. Mikis Theodorakis assists at a huge rally against the War in Afghanistan. He condemns the terrorist attack in the United States, but added that "the Americans and their allies are attempting another genocide against humanity with their attack in Afghanistan". Theodorakis says, "it is obvious that the crusade against terrorism constitutes a smoke screen to conceal the real targets of the new world order which the Americans and their close allies wish to impose."

14.11. Music of Mikis Theodorakis - "Andonis" from "Mauthausen" - accompagnied the entrance of the Afghanian opposition troops in Kaboul.

15.11. Theodorakis undergoes prostate surgery. He leaves the hospital on 19.11.

2002

12.02. Scandal at Salt Lake City: Theodorakis's music ("Canto Olympico") is played and sung at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games, but the name of the composer is not mentioned. His name is omitted from all official documents and by commentators. Theodorakis protests.

01.04. A rally is held in central Athens in solidarity with the Palestinian people. In a message, Mikis Theodorakis expressed his solidarity with the Palestinian people and the intifada.

14.04. Huige success for tbe premiere of Theodorakis's last opera: "Lysistrati", a "lyrical comedy" in two parts (ten scenes).

17.04. The biography of Theodorakis by Guy Wagner ("Mia Zoi yia tin Ellada". Ed. Typothito, Dardanos) is officially presented at the "Stoa to Vivliou" in Athens and greeted. Meanawhile it has become a bestseller in Greece..

29.06. In Bonn Theodorakis is awarded the Erich W. Korngold Prize for a live achievement in film music. The homage by Jack Lang, former French minister, is deeply moving. In the next days, two brilliant concerts show the large scale of Theodorakis's musical repertoire.

Summer-autumn. A polemic in Greece over the expenses of the porduction of "Lysistrata" leads Theodorakis to withdraw all projects of the Cultural Olympiade, dedicated to him, especially the performance of his opera-tetralogy: A blow for all friends of the composer.

05.08. A sensational article by Theodorakis in "Elefterotypia" on the terror-movement 17 November provokes vehement controversies in Greece. The sympathy expressed in different circles for the terrorists leads Theodorakis to leave Greece for several months and to go with Myrto to Paris.

Autumn. The cooperation between Editions Romanos and Schott publishers is reinforced.

02.-04. 11. The municipality of Nafpaktos decides to organise an International Choir Festival every two years. It is called "International Choir Festival Mikis Theodorakis". Mikis Theodorakis is to be honoured. Antonis Kontogeorgiou will talk about Theodorakis' choral work and the choirs will sing parts from his works.

26.12. After 170 programs - 210 hours of commentaries and music! -, the "Integrale Theodorakis" by Guy Wagner comes to an end in the Sociocultural Radio Luxembourg (100,7 FM) with a "long night" of seven-hours entirely dedicated to Theodorakis as a singer and interpreter and presenting partially unknown recordings with him.

© Guy Wagner & Asteris Koutoulas, 1996-2002. All pictures © FILIKI & Mikis Theodorakis