A minute of silence was attributed in the Hellenic Parliament for the great loss of Mikis Theodorakis. The news of the death was announced in the Plenary Session by the Vice President of the Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis. "Unfortunately, the news was confirmed. A while ago Mikis Theodorakis started his journey to the neighborhood of Angels to meet other important personalities there as his best friend Manos Hatzidakis. The Parliament, at the right time and in the right way, will honor the memory of Mikis Theodorakis. But today we have to keep a minute's silence for the great loss".
In his statement on the death of Mikis Theodorakis, the President of the Parliament, Constantine Tassoulas, points out:
“It is with great sorrow and emotion that we were informed this morning of the passing of Mikis Theodorakis, who lived a full life of contribution, but also of recognition. A melodist of greekness in a unique way, he brought us into contact with all of its aspects, with exquisite music and voices, this is why today Greeks the world over bow with reverence to his fascinating path and his extraordinary and universal contribution that went beyond the cultural spectrum. We now start to walk down the path of his treasured memory. Mikis Theodorakis is, and rightfully so, the most celebrated Greek of our times. A composer, a writer, a politician, he has been linked to our country and our people more than anyone else, he showcased Greece and beguiled Greece more than anyone else. Greekness has now lost its melodist, yet not his melodies, which will continue to captivate and inspire us. As for his public and political contribution, his passion for the homeland, democracy and freedom, they too will continue to inspire. For over half a century, he was exemplary in forging a uniquely fertile footprint! The warmest condolences to his family on behalf of the Hellenic Parliament and myself”.
The Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced three days of national mourning for the death of the great composer Mikis Theodorakis at the beginning of the meeting of the Council of Ministers. Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated: “Unfortunately, our meeting today is overshadowed by a very sad news: Mikis Theodorakis is now passing to eternity. His voice was silenced and with him the whole of Hellenism was silenced. As it was written about Palamas, "we had all forgotten that he is mortal". However, he leaves us a legacy of his songs, his political action, but also his national contribution at critical moments. Romiossyni is crying today. That is why, with a decision of the government, a three-day national mourning is declared from today. As you know, I had the honor of knowing him for many years and relatively recently I had even visited him. His advice has always been valuable to me, especially those concerning the unity of our people and overcoming the dividing lines. I believe that the best honor for this global Greek will be for us, with our daily work, to put into practice this very message of him. Mikis is our History and we must continue it as he would like".
The President of the Republic K. Sakellaropoulou stated: "Mikis Theodorakis, whose loss we mourn today, was a pan-Greek and at the same time universal creator, an invaluable asset of our musical culture. He was given a rich and fruitful life that he lived with passion, a life dedicated to music, the arts, our place and its people, dedicated to the ideas of freedom, justice, equality, social solidarity.
Always a "politician", he linked political action with excess and struggle. He described himself as "lonely, non-integrated, independent, self-militant". "Dedicated to national dignity, humanity and solidarity, he has never ceased to be a profound, diverse creator, and an artist who insisted to the end to see the world with the romance and confidence of an eternal, indestructible youth."
The leader of the opposition, Al. Tsipras, made the following statement: "Mikis gave light to our souls. His work marked the life and path of those who chose the path of democracy and social justice. The unsurpassed composer, the fighter, the communist, the activist, through his music, life, battles and contradictions, gave a new meaning to freedom, culture, art, participation. We say goodbye to him with the certainty that what he leaves behind is permanent. In the soul of our people, in the identity of our homeland, in the cultural heritage of the universe".
Corresponding statements were made by all party leaders.
Sources:
https://www.hellenicparliament.gr/Enimerosi/Grafeio-Typou/Deltia-Typou/?press=d56292db-1a5e-4bda-9614-ad9700d1974b
https://www.ertnews.gr/eidiseis/ellada/politiki/triimero-ethniko-penthos-kiryxe-o-prothypoyrgos-quot-i-romiosyni-simera-klaiei-quot/
https://tvxs.gr/news/ellada/o-politikos-kosmos-apoxaireta-ton-miki-theodoraki