Over 22,000 visitors at the tribute exhibition: “100 Years Mikis Theodorakis: The Cretan Universal Greek”

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Crowds gather daily at the tribute exhibition titled “100 Years Mikis Theodorakis: The Cretan Universal Greek,” a highly successful and multi-layered art event hosted at the Basilica of St. Mark’s gallery. This tribute brings together powerful works by renowned Greek artists and poets, interwoven with historical context and Mikis' music—breathing life into the spirit and legacy of the legendary composer. The exhibition has become a strong magnet for both Greek and international visitors.

It opened on 24 July and runs through 20 August 2025.

The concept and organisation come from visual artist Fotini Kokolaki, who also curated the exhibition as part of her broader cultural programme titled: “The Spiritual and Musical Gift of Mikis Theodorakis to the Greek People.”

The exhibition is supported by the Region of Crete, the Municipality of Heraklion, the Pancretan Association of Friends of Mikis Theodorakis, the Printmaking Workshop of the Department of Fine Arts and Art Sciences at the University of Ioannina, and the Greek Printmakers Association. It includes contributions from distinguished artists and notable poets.

Among the works on display are pieces created by schoolchildren from Arkalohori, an area affected by earthquakes, inspired by Mikis Theodorakis' life and music.

Visitors—both locals and tourists—are impressed by every part of the exhibition, which has drawn significant attention from the art world and media since its opening. Photos and videos from the show are widely shared online and through social media posts by art-loving guests.

The official exhibition poster is a printmaking piece by Giorgos Argyrakis.

Participating Artists:

Printmaking Workshop – University of Ioannina
Under the supervision of Professor Konstantinos Michalopoulos, artists include: Agapi Iliopoulou, Anastasios Nikolaou, Evangelos Voulgaris, Chrystalla Foka, Afroditi Grigoriou, Danai Skoularakou, Christina Terzaki, Sofia Pappa, Anastasia Fouka, Gianna Kalogianni, Konstantinos Papamichalopoulos, Filothei Binda, Apostolos Anagnostaras, Fotini Diamantopoulou, Marina Pappa, Xenia Giannoulatou.

Greek Printmakers Association
Participants: Odysseas Annitsakis, Rena Ilia Anousi, Eirini Antoniadi, Zacharias Arvanitis, Stella Vardaki, Argyri Vasilakou, Eleni Dervisoglou, Elisavet Dionyssopoulou, Kostis Zervogiannis-Chairetis, Theodosia P., Katerina Thivaiou, Michalis Kotsaris, Dimitra Koumantaki, Anastasia Konstantakou, Chrysanthi Malama, Valentini Mavrodoglou, Ioannis Monogios, Polytimi Maria Benaki, Marina Bobou, Mimi Petropoulou Dimitraki, Panagiotis Pristouris, Thomais Samantzi, Roubina Sarelakou, Dimitra Siaterli, Varvara Sideri, Ioanna Spanaki, Giannis Stefanakis, Stathis Sotirchos, Elsa Tsitouridou, Michalis Falconis, Tania Drogosi, Masior Edyta, Juddy Attwood, Pino Pandolfini, Maria Aretaki, Nikos Giakas.

Group Work: Marietta Stoumpi, Giorgos Tselios, Theodoti Aggelaki, Lenia Bletsou, Com.odd.or

"MIKIS SATELLITES" – Berlin 2023
A video art project by Asteris Koutoulas, in collaboration with Michalis Argyrou, Achilleas Gkatzopoulos, Giorgos Kolios, Ina Koutoulas.

Artists Influenced by Mikis Theodorakis:

Giorgos Argyrakis: Printmaking works including portraits of Mikis and resistance-themed posters from the 1970s, Berlin.
Kyriakos Rokos: Sculpture “Guerer – Magical Night”, 2003, and sketch “Memory of Mikis Theodorakis”, 2006.
Dimitris Ratsikas: Drawings “Portraits of Mikis”, 1973, Paris.

Personal Testimonies:

Laokratia Lakka, biologist, shares stories from Mikis' exile, his interactions with artists, students, scientists, and anti-dictatorship figures in Paris.
Rhea Sriggari-Thonges, art historian and archaeologist, provides historical documents detailing Mikis’ relationship with Joseph Beuys, including their 1973 German TV appearance on “Politicisation through Art,” referenced in her book We Are the Revolution.