The inauguration of a lifetime dream
With a glorious ceremony, the Cultural Center which houses the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation was inaugurated, yesterday, Tuesday the 9th of March. The inauguration ceremony performed by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Dimitris Christofias, who travelled to Athens especially for this event, with glory and the attendance of politicians, artists and a lot of beloved friends as well as the family of Michael Cacoyannis.
The hostess of the ceremony, personal friend and partner of the director, Mrs. Katia Dandoulaki, initially referred to the inauguration event saying: Today we came together in order to inaugurate the Foundations Cultural Center that is named after a Greek, a cosmopolitan Cypriot, Michael Cacoyannis, who accomplished, during tough times, to spread the idea of Hellenism abroad, beyond the tight local borders, transmit it all around the globe and involve in it millions of spectators. We are here to accompany a restless man who, even at present, lives with the vision of contribution, since what else could be this Foundation if not a place, which has no other aim but to broaden the horizons of art. The Foundation is a baton that Cacoyannis passes to the younger, a baton which covers, or actually reveals his vision.
Following made a speech the Director and Founder, M. Cacoyannis, the Presidents of Hellenic and Cypriot Republic and the Minister of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs, Mrs. Anna Diamantopoulou, on behalf of the Greek Prime Minister.
The artistic program was dedicated to Michael Cacoyannis work and proceeded with projection of ancient tragedy movies parts, directed by Michael Cacoyannis, such as the Ifigenia, The Trojan Women and Elektra, a performance of William Shakespeare theater plays parts, directed by M. Cacoyannis:
Hamlet, (featuring) Konstantinos Markoulakis, Translation: M. Cacoyannis
Coriolanus (featuring) Vladimiros Kyriakidis, Translation: M. Cacoyannis
Romeo & Juliet, (Re- Directed by M. Cacoyannis especially for the inauguration ceremony) Featuring: Katerina Geronikolou, Fotis Karalis, and Translation: Errikos Belies
Finally, the ceremony was followed by a reception for all the attendees with famous as well as unpublished songs in lyrics/ poetry of Michael Cacoyannis and music composed by Alkis Kollias. The songs were performed by Lia Vissi, Doros Dhmosthenous and Yakinthi Lagiou, accompanied by the accordion player Zoe Tiganouria.
Especially for the inauguration ceremony arrived in Athens the Director and M. Cacoyannis friend, Mr. Kostas Gavras, as well as M. Cacoyannis sisters, Mrs. Yannoulla Cacoyannis Wakefield and Mrs. Stella Soulioti and his friend and partner Yael Dayan.
Among the Attendees we distinguished:
The artists, Dionysis Fotopoulos, Nonika Galinea, Thanos Mikroutsikos, Dimitris Papadimitriou, Giorgos Ntalaras, Maria Farantouri, Elli Paspala, Foteini Darra, the members of the Greek Parliament and actors, Pemi Zouni and Giannis Vouros, the Directors, Sotiris Chatzakis, Grigoris Karantinakis, Stavros Tsakiris, Stathis Livathinos, the writer, Maria Papayanni, the actors, Tatiana Papamoscou, Efi Mouriki, the stage designers, Yannis Metzikof and Ersi Drini.
In addition, the museum Directors, Angelos Delivorias and Marina Labraki Plaka, Mr. Efraimoglou on behalf of the Foundation of the Hellenic World, the Doyen of The Athens School of Fine Arts, Mr. Giorgos Charvalias, the painter and professor of The Athens School of Fine Arts, Yannis Psychopaidis, the visual artist, Kostas Tsoklis, the Director of European Cinema Panorama, Mr. Nino Fenek Mikelidis, Mr. Chistos Ioannou, Mr Alexis Kostalas.
Mr. Karoyan, the President of the House of Representatives of the Cypriot Republic, Mr. Giorgos Vasiliou, Former President, Mr. Andreas Dimitriou, Minister of Education & Culture of Cyprus.
Mrs. Dora Bakoyanni, Mr. Dimitris Sioufas, Mr. Costis Mousourlis, Mrs. Anna Ntalara,
The City Mayors of Athens, Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis and of Tavros, Mr. Dimitris Soutos.
Mrs. Yanna Angelopoulou, Mrs. Sasa Vardinogiannni, Mrs. Vana Lavida, Mr. M. Kyriakidis, Mrs, Kaiti Tsekeni, Mrs. Fotini Livanou, Lydia and Kostas Karras.
The Ambassadors of France, Venezuela, Cyprus, Poland as well as the diplomatic attache of the Embassy of the United States of America in Athens.
Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, on behalf of its Founder, the Board of Directors and its partners, acknowledges and thanks warmly the audience of Athens for attending the function of its Cultural Centers inauguration ceremony.
