About Mikis Theodorakis

Mikis Theodorakis (1925–2021) was one of Greece’s most influential composers and a prominent political and cultural figure of the 20th century.

Born on July 29, 1925 on the island of Chios, he grew up across Greece and showed early musical talent.

He studied music in Athens and later in Paris.

Theodorakis became internationally famous for blending classical composition with Greek folk music, creating a distinctive national musical voice.

He composed hundreds of works, including:

Symphonies, oratorios, and chamber music
Popular song cycles based on poetry by major Greek poets (e.g., Odysseas Elytis, Yannis Ritsos)
Film scores, most famously Zorba the Greek (1964), whose theme became globally iconic

(Zorba: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8aWqsiN214)

Beyond music, Theodorakis was deeply involved in political resistance.

He fought in the Greek Resistance during World War II, was imprisoned and tortured during the Greek Civil War, and later became a leading opponent of the 1967–1974 military junta, during which his music was banned and he was again imprisoned and exiled.

After the restoration of democracy, he served as a member of parliament and remained an outspoken public intellectual, advocating for peace, democracy, and human rights.

Mikis Theodorakis died on September 2, 2021, in Athens (about his later life and death)

He is remembered as a symbol of Greek cultural identity, artistic freedom, and political conscience.