Event in honor of Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hadjidakis

In a unique cultural evening of tribute and remembrance, the Embassy of Greece in Belgium and the Hellenic Community of Brussels paid tribute on Friday, October 3rd, to two of Greece’s greatest composers, Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hadjidakis, marking the centenary of their birth, as well as to the distinguished Austrian artist Udo Juergens, who composed the renowned song “Griechischer Wein” (“Greek Wine”) with lyrics by the German philhellene Michael Kunze.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador of Greece to Belgium Sofia Grammata spoke about the story behind the creation of this particular song, noting that it was written with love for the Greeks of the Diaspora and became an anthem expressing the nostalgia of Greek emigrants for their homeland. A welcome address was also delivered by Mr. Philippos Kotsaridis, President of the Hellenic Community of Brussels.

In the musical part of the evening, soprano Anna Mathioudaki and Anna Alvizou, who accompanied her on piano, presented a program featuring works by the three renowned composers. The Hellenic Choir of Brussels performed a cappella two songs by Hadjidakis and Theodorakis, with lyrics by Nikos Gatsos, themed around the Greek experience of migration and the concept of homeland. The Lykeion Ellinidon- Brussels enriched the event with traditional and popular Greek dances, whose rhythms have long inspired Greece’s great composers.

During the event, Ambassador Sofia Grammata also took the opportunity to warmly thank Professor Robert Laffineur, outgoing Honorary Consul of Greece in Liège, for his longstanding contribution in promoting the image of Greek culture in Wallonia throughout his distinguished tenure, which is now coming to a successful end.

Μίκης Θεοδωράκης και Μάνος Χατζιδάκις
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