Mikis Theodorakis: “We mourn an ecumenical intellectual” says Frank-Walter Steinmeier

The President of the Federal Republic of Germany expresses his grief over the death of Mikis Theodorakis, Frank-Walter Steinmeier with a letter sent to the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

“His life is inextricably linked to the history of Greece and inspires people far beyond the borders of your country,” he said in the letter, as broadcast by the Athens News Agency.

As the German President points out, “The composer, activist, politician and resistance fighter has passed away. Mikis Theodorakis. A special man, who symbolizes as much as anyone else the resistance to the German occupiers, the struggle against oppression and dictatorship, the defense of freedom and social justice and later the efforts for the unity of Greece “, the German President notes and adds: “All of Greece mourns an idol. Rest assured that Germany mourns with you. We mourn an ecumenical intellectual who wrote music history with his work of art, while his political legacy will go down in world history. We will miss his voice. “

The following is the letter of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany to the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou:

“Madam President, dear Katerina Sakellaropoulou,

With great sadness I was informed of the death of Mikis Theodorakis, this genius personality of our century. Allow me to express to you and the Greek people, especially to the family of the deceased, my deep and sincere condolences.

The composer, activist, politician and resistance fighter Mikis Theodorakis passed away. A special man, who symbolizes more than anyone else the resistance to the German occupiers, the struggle against oppression and dictatorship, the defense of freedom and social justice and later the efforts for the unity of Greece. His life is inextricably linked to the history of Greece and inspires people far beyond the borders of your country.

We will not only remember his political action. Mikis Theodorakis is as much the personification of the music soul of Greece as anyone else. We owe his passion, his creativity and his tireless creative spirit to over a thousand compositions, including operas, symphonies, oratorios and music for cinema.

All of Greece mourns an idol. Rest assured that Germany mourns with you. We mourn an ecumenical intellectual who wrote music history with his work of art, while his political legacy will go down in world history. We will miss his voice.

With silent greetings

Yours

Frank Walter Steinmeier »