Theodorakis decorated by Russia

Posted on 7/03/07 in News, Politics
Reference Address: http://www.ellopos.com/blog/?p=235

Mikis Theodorakis was decorated on Monday with the Medal of Friendship of the Russian Federation at the Russian embassy. The decoration was carried out by Russian Culture Minister Alexander Sokolov on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Sokolov termed Theodorakis “the heir of the tradition of great Greek artists from antiquity until today,” underlining that the composer’s work and life “constitute a magnificent and proud hymn to the ideals of freedom, independence and human honour which were born on Greek land.” He also thanked Theodorakis for his contribution to the anti-fascist resistance.

On his part, Theodorakis noted the “particularly pleasant development of Greek-Russian relations which demonstrates the persistence of peoples in the road of cooperation and friendship, the only road that leads to progress and the consolidation of peace.”

Referring to the issue of installing anti-missile systems in the Chech Republic and Poland, Theodorakis said that the latest proposals by President Putin “fill us with optimism and hope that there can be, at last, a counterbalance which will put an end to the terrible glissing towards destruction, to which the sole superpower, with its arrogant arbitrariness, is driving humanity today.”