Greece Remembers Melina Mercouri with Year Full of Cultural Events

A theater awards ceremony, full moon screenings of her films, a Paris exhibition showcasing the Parthenon Marbles, and an Epidaurus concert are just some of the events planned in the months ahead to mark the 100-year anniversary since the birth of internationally-acclaimed Greek actress, activist, and much-loved former culture minister: Melina Mercouri.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni declared 2020 as the “Year of Melina Mercouri” in memory of Mercouri, who was the first female to take over the culture ministry, and in honor of her contribution to the promotion of “cultural diplomacy” as well as for her dedication to spearheading the drive for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

The program of events was announced this week at the Melina Mercouri Foundation.

“Melina was known for her spontaneity, faith, and vision,” said Mendoni, adding that “the year dedicated to Melina begins on January 29, with an international workshop on the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles at the Acropolis Museum commemorating Melina’s efforts for the realization of a vision that we all believe will gain the momentum and become a reality.”

The event will feature a video by the Melina Mercouri Foundation of Melina’s work with a special focus on her work toward the repatriation of the Partheonon Marbles to Greece.

Other events include the Melina Mercouri Theatre Awards ceremony, a photo exhibition at the UNESCO World Heritage Center in Paris, in March; a concert by popular Greek performer Alkistis Protopsalti at the Small Epidaurus Theater in June; a show at the Athens Technopolis featuring photos, posters, costumes, Melina’s dressing room, and her correspondence with celebrities; full moon screenings of her films Never on Sunday and Phaedra at the Technopolis in July; and on her birthday – October 18 (1920) – the Piraeus Municipal Theater will host the “Piraeus Celebrates Melina” event.

The “Year of Melina Mercouri” is organized by the Greek culture ministry and the Melina Mercouri Foundation.