AUTODIA participated as a “Supporter” in this initiative that honored Mikis Theodorakis within the framework of its bilateral cooperation, both with the Chinese Collective Management Organization MCSC, and with SACEM, which is involved in the collection of the late composer’s mechanical rights, on behalf of the music publisher Schott Music (represented in Greece by Musicentry).
The initiative was born from the performer Maria Papageorgiou, as a tribute to and fulfillment of a promise she had made to Mikis Theodorakis himself: to bring his music to China. This project was supported and acted as an artistic companion by the great performer Tania Tsanaklidou, artistically bridging the generation of Mikis Theodorakis with the younger generation of performers.
The first concert, on July 27 at the Yasmin Theater in Shanghai, was a triumphant prologue, with the Chinese audience enthusiastically welcoming Theodorakis’ melodies. The main event took place at the National Museum of China in Beijing, a venue that rarely opens its doors to musical performances. Although initially scheduled for July 29 – a landmark date marking the 100th anniversary of Mikis Theodorakis’ birth – the concert was eventually moved to July 30 due to severe weather. The packed National Museum amphitheater was filled with emotion. The performances of M. Papageorgiou and T. Tsanaklidou drew prolonged applause, on an evening when Greek music resonated in Beijing with profound symbolism.
The Chinese press responded with great enthusiasm to the concerts, reproducing in local and digital media as well as on social media rich audiovisual material from the concerts, interviews with the artists, as well as warm comments on the audience's connection with the music of Mikis Theodorakis. The response and interaction of the Chinese audience was particularly intense, offering very positive feedback and confirming the success and importance of the project.
An official Greek delegation attended the event, led by the Counsellor and Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of Greece in China, Alexandros Vidouris, as well as the Director of the GNTO Beijing Office, Pavlos Mourmas. The performance was also honored with their presence by the Director of the National Museum of China and representatives of the local authorities.
The tour concluded with a sensational concert at the Honggutan Grand Theatre in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, southern China, where the audience gave the Greek artists a particularly warm welcome.
The musical ensemble, under the artistic guidance of the two performers, included established and emerging Greek musicians: Michalis Vrettas – violin, Sofia Evkleidou – cello, Kostas Nikolopoulos – electric guitar, Giorgos Theodoropoulos – synths, bass, Thanos Michaelides – drums, Pantelis Theologitis – bouzouki.
The young bouzouki soloist Pantelis Theologitis thrilled with his energy and technique, taking off with pieces such as “Zorbas” and “Kites”.
The orchestrations were signed by Euripides Zemenides, while the arrangements of the songs were undertaken by Maria Papageorgiou. The sound was edited by Maria Kozari and the lighting by Periklis Mathiellis. The photographic coverage of the mission was undertaken by Akis Christou.
The production on the Greek side was coordinated by Music Path Productions, with Eugenia Tagka and Christina Kostaki as production managers. The co-producer in China was the Sino-Hellenic Performing Arts Alliance.
The tour was a lively cultural dialogue. Mikis Theodorakis' work served as a bridge between the past and the present, between Greece and China, between man and universality.