Top Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis stands by the children of “ELPIDA” yet again, with a large concert to be held on 24 June at Kallimarmaro – Panathenaic Stadium by the “Mikis Theodorakis” Orchestra, with the participation of 27 distinguished Greek and foreign artists.  A portion of the concert’s proceeds will be made available for the objectives of the “ELPIDA Association of Friends of Children with Cancer”

In the concert entitled “You are Greek, what you were, you will be once again,” the “Mikis Theodorakis” Popular Orchestra will interpret songs by the great Greek composer, along with more than twenty important singers, including (in alphabetical order): Themis Adamantidis, Rita Antonopoulou, Eleni Vitali, Peggy Zina, Yannis Zouganelis, Pandelis Thalassinos, Antonis Kalogiannis, Stamatis Kokotas, Vasilis Lekkas, Manolis Mitsias, Dimitris Basis, Yannis Bezos, Giota Negka, Lakis Papadopoulos with the high cuffs, Sofia Papazoglou,Miltos Paschalidis, Antonis Remos, Iro Saia, Paschalis Tonios, Lakis Chalkias, Zulfu Livaneli, Arja Saijonmaa.

The event will be presented by Grigoris Valtinos and Ieroklis Michaelidis.

Mikis Theodorakis has already stated that he very much wants to be present at the concert.

On the occasion of the large concert, a Press Conference was held on Monday, 20 May 2019, at the Amphitheatre of the Acropolis Museum, with the participation of artists and participants in the event, as well as Mikis Theodorakis’ daughter, Margarita, who read a message from Mikis Theodorakis, moving the audience.

Through his message, Mikis Theodorakis sent a strong message for unity.  “UNITE!  Put the train named
‘Hellas’ on the tracks of cooperation, creation, and progress.  Bring back tolerance and politeness to politics as well as to our daily lives.  Help our People again become that which, with its splendour, once won international admiration.  Bring back the bright minds of the new generation.  This is the message that made me accept to rise again under the weight of countless years that try in vain to bring me to my knees.  Only so that, with my limited powers, I may help the concert thunderously shout with certainty: ‘You are Greek What you were, you will be once again.”

Also present at the interview was the President of the “ELPIDA Association of Friends of Children with cancer,” Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, who spoke of the top Greek composer with marked emotion:

I cannot imagine Greece without Mikis, and of course I cannot imagine Miki’s music without Greece in it.  From long ago, in my eyes, his emblematic stance and those manly hands, when he conducted the orchestra, seemed like they could embrace the whole world.  This glorious concert is a concert for every citizen of this country, because art always has the ability to unify.  Twenty-seven important artists from Greece and abroad will all become one voice to convey the message of unity, which is intrinsically linked with Miki’s music.  And the fact that Mikis wanted to dedicate the concert to the 30th anniversary of “ELPIDA” moves me deeply, as he wants, in this manner, to support our children, who are the future of this country.  “Because if the child is saved, there is hope…” Mikis is very familiar with this, he has written the music to this song.”“  ”“I thank him for his great heart.” Advance ticket sales will be available through www.viva.gr.