Greek National Composer Who Resisted Military Dictatorship Passes Away

Mikis Theodorakis Passes Away at 96
Soothes His People’s Sorrows with Brilliant Works During Turbulent Times

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Mikis Theodorakis, a composer representing Greece, has passed away at the age of 96. The Greek Ministry of Culture announced that he, who had been receiving heart treatment since 2019, died on the 2nd (local time) at a hospital in Athens.

Theodorakis is Greece's national composer. During the turbulent times of war and civil war, he released brilliant works that comforted the sorrows of his fellow citizens. He did not limit himself to any genre, composing symphonies, operas, ballets, and film music. His most famous song, "The Train Leaves at Eight," was sung with the poignant voice of Greek mezzo-soprano Agnes Baltsa. The melancholic melody of the folk instrument bouzouki sings of the farewell of resistance youth. Soprano Jo Sumi also performed a Korean version of the song.

Theodorakis was a democratic activist who resisted the Greek military dictatorship in the 1960s. He succeeded the spirit of politician Gregorios Lambrakis, who was assassinated in 1963, and entered parliament the following year. When a fascist military regime took power through a coup in 1967, he formed an anti-dictatorship resistance organization and led the democratization movement. As a result, he was imprisoned several times, and his works were banned.

After suffering political oppression, Theodorakis was exiled in 1970 and went into exile. However, he continued his anti-dictatorship struggle through musical activities, holding concerts abroad opposing the Greek military dictatorship. The songs he released at that time were also banned from performance and playback domestically because they were seen as advocating a socialist line. The pain, sorrow, and spirit of resistance of the people fighting against the dictatorship are deeply embedded in the melodies.

When the military regime stepped down in 1974, he returned to Greece and served as Minister of Culture among other positions. He continued composing music steadily. Domestically, he is well known for his film scores, including "Phaedra" (1962), "Zorba the Greek" (1964), "Z" (1969), and "Serpico" (1973). Theodorakis also composed the "Matteozen Trilogy," which centers on the Holocaust. Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou mourned, saying, "He conveyed encouragement and comfort to our dark history through music."

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