"Zorba" in Skopje

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ZORBA THE GREEK, A SYMBOL OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN GREECE, FYROM, SERBIA

Macedonian Press Agency, - Thessaloniki, March 31, 1997

Fifty-five years after his death, Zorbas the Greek has become a bridge of friendship between Greece, FYROM and Serbia, in light of the perfomance of the like-named musical, orchestrated by Greece's renowned composer Mikis Theodorakis, to be held in Skopje on April 12.

The Greek legendary man became internationally known by the world-famous Greek author Nios Kazantzakis who wrote the book on Zorbas' life.

Zorbas died in 1943, at the age of 74. According to Kazantzakis' notes, Zorbas travelled to Skopje in the beginning of the 30s, where he fell upon a field rich in magnesite. With his famous dynamic character, Zorbas recruited workers, opened galleries, blew up massive rocks, paved streets, brought water, built a house, got married with a merry widow named Ljuba and had a child with her.

With the German occupation, his mine and its magnesite production were taken over by the Nazis, something that upset especially upset George Zorbas, his real name as opposed to "Alexandros", the name Kazantakis wrote in his book.

The author also wrote Zorbas' last words before he died: "I did and did and did in my life, but still it was too little. People like me should live for a thousand years. Good night." A.F.

THEODORAKIS' "ZORBA" WILL BE PRESENTED IN SKOPJE

The presentation in Skopje of the ballet play "Zorba" with music composed by Mikis Theodorakis, which is based on the famous novel written by Nikos Kazantzakis, is the result of a non governmental initiative that was undertaken in Greece and FYROM.

Their goal is to bridge the gap between the two countries and help toward the development of friendly relations between the two peoples. It should be noted, that Alexis Zorba was born in the village of Katafigi in Kozani, north-western Greece in 1865 and died in a village near Skopje in 1942.

The event is support in Greece by a committee made up of 80 personalities from the intellectual, cultural and political world, while in FYROM the initiative is being supported by the Committee of Citizens for Dialogue and Understanding between the two peoples.

Macedonian Press Agency -Thessaloniki, March 7, 1997

'Alexis Zorbas' ballet performance in Skopje

Athens, 8/3/1997 (ANA)

A ballet production entitled "Alexis Zorbas", directed by composer Mikis Theodorakis, will be performed at the national theater of Skopje, capital of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), at the beginning of April.

The performance is part of a two-month-old initiative by Greek members of parliament, academics, politicians and ordinary citizens, aiming at promoting friendship between the two countries.

"The burden for the defense of co-operation and freedom in the region of the Balkans, which is going through critical hours, falls on the shoulders of ordinary people," Mr. Theodorakis said in a message for yesterday's initial presentation of the initiative in Thessaloniki.

'ZORBAS THE GREEK' IN SKOPJE

`Dnevnik' reports in today's edition that in order to improve Greek-Macedonian relations the theater performance `Zorbas the Greek' is to open in Skopje throughout the first half of April. The piece will include the performance of renowned actors of the Greek National Theatre, while the musical score is to be played by the Macedonian Symphony - conducted by Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis. On this occasion another `joint venture' is to take place: the meeting of over 150 representatives of both countries. This event has been initiated by NGOs of both countries, and it may be attended by former Greek Foreign Secretary Michaly Papakonstantinou, by the renowned scholar Leonadis Kirkos, by 14 MPs of several factions and several mayors, businessmen, university readers, etc.

MILS.SPIC.ORG.MK, 97/03/10

MIKIS THEODORAKIS AND `ZORBAS THE GREEK' AT THE `MNT' TOMORROW

The renowned Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis has been staying in Macedonia for several days, as tomorrow his concert piece `Zorbas the Greek' is to be staged at the MNT (`Macedonian National Theatre'), with him in the role of the conductor of musicians from Greece and Macedonia. The concert is to be attended by around 200 guests from Greece (MPs, representatives of political parties, academicians and public personalities), in addition to the Macedonian audience. During a press conference Theodorakis stated that the purpose of his visit was not to resolve political issues - but the creating of a positive atmosphere for negotiations and cooperation between both countries. ` Peace and cooperation on all levels is the only solution... and I believe that this production will be conducive to this option. I do not deny my involvement in the name-issue. But as this is a futile issue, I do not see why bilateral contacts should be suspended', stated Theodorakis at yesterday's press conference.

11/04/1997 - M.I.L.S. (Skopje)


THEODORAKIS WILL PRESENT "ZORBA" IN THE THEATER OF SKOPJE THIS EVENING

World famous Greek music composer Mikis Theodorakis will create a bridge of friendship between Greece and FYROM this evening when he will present "Zorba"; in the National Theater of Skopje.

Mr. Theodorakis characterized this initiative as a political event and expressed optimism that the two countries are close to an agreement on the issue of the name. In the Greek mission participate 10 Parliament deputies, prefects, mayors and trade unionists.

Skopje 12 April (MPA) - Web Posted: 17:20 GMT+2


THEODORAKIS PRESENTED "ZORBA" IN THE THEATER OF SKOPJE WITH SUCCESS

World renowned Greek music composer Mikis Theodorakis created a bridge of friendship between Greece and FYROM last night when he presented "Zorba" in the National Theater of Skopje.

Mr. Theodorakis characterized this initiative as a political event and expressed optimism that the two countries are close to an agreement on the issue of the name pending between the two countries. Greek parliament deputies, prefects, mayors and trade unionists travelled to Skopje to attend the concert.

The Greek parliament deputies, prefects, mayors and trade unionists who travelled to Skopje to attend the concert, hailed the event as a success and all expressed the hope that this initiative will lead to a resolutin over the name issue pending between the two countries. A.F.

Skopje, April 13 (MPA) - Web Posted: 18:19 GMT+2



THEODORAKIS CONCERT IN SKOPJE RECEIVES WARM RESPONSE


World famous composer Mikis Theodorakis received an enthusiastic ovation at the Popular Theatre here on Saturday night, repeating two parts from his symphony "Zorba the Greek" after prolonged applause from the audience.

The concert was attended by Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Kiro Gligorov, top members of Skopje's government, representatives of the diplomatic corps and 200 guests from Greece.

The concert, broadcast live by FYROM's state radio and state television network, as well as by Greek state radio, included participation by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Skopje, the Popular Theatre's Orchestra, a choir, mezzo-soprano Sofia Mihailidou and bouzouki player Grigoris Tsistoudis.

Before the concert began, addresses were made by FYROM writer Meto Jovanovski, president of a friendship society between the two countries, and by Paraskevas Paraskevopoulos, a state deputy from the ruling PASOK party, who termed the event "an evening of friendship, peace and mutual understanding."

"We must start from common points uniting us, a climate of confidence and mutual understanding must be created and the governments must find solutions which are mutually beneficial for both peoples," he said.

Skopje, 14/04/1997 (ANA)



GOV'T WELCOMES RESPONSE TO THEODORAKIS SKOPJE PERFORMANCE

The concert conducted by Mikis Theodorakis in Skopje over the weekend was "a positive move", government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.

"It illustrated the good relations that both peoples desire," Mr. Reppas said.

He added he hoped that these relations would become closer if accompanied by the resolution of the problem of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which continues to be a thorn in the side of the two countries' relations.

Athens, 15/04/1997 (ANA)


CULTURAL EVENTS POSITIVE BUT NOT POLICY, REPPAS SAYS

"Cultural activities can bring only positive results," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday commenting on the concert staged by Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis in Skopje at the weekend.

Asked whether the government intended to encourage similar events in other neighboring countries, Mr. Reppas replied that the government neither supported nor undermined cultural activities.

The spokesman added however that such activities help to reduce acerbity and improve the climate in relations between neighboring peoples.

Replying to questions on the possibility of a Balkan cultural festival in Thessaloniki, Mr. Reppas said that the idea might be useful while stressing that it would be a mistake for one to believe that cultural activities could constitute a primary element of foreign policy.

Athens, 16/04/1997 (ANA)


`ZORBAS THE GREEK' CONFIRMING THAT GREECE AND MACEDONIA STRIVE TO ESTABLISH GOOD RELATIONS

The staging of `Zorbas the Greek' by Mikis Theodorakis in Skopje represents an important step, confirming once again that both countries are striving towards the establishment of solid relations - stated Greek Government Spokesperson Dimitris Reppas yesterday. `Makfax' also reports that Reppas expressed the hope that bilateral relations would become even cordial, once the proverbial `thorn in our sides' the name-issue were resolved.

`Nova Makedonija' reports that Mikis Theodorakis aired his willingness to participate in the Ohrid Summer Festival with the ballet version of `Zorbas the Greek', prior to staging this production in Izmir (Turkey) and Tirana (Albania).

This Macedonian daily also informed that most Athenian papers stated that the held concert facilitated the bridging of differences between both countries and created a better climate to resolve the only unaddressed problem: the name-issue. In this context it is also being stressed that the linking of both people is not only of significance to both countries, but to peace and stability in the Balkans in general.

There are certain circles in Athens which have a different opinion on this cultural event in Skopje. Thus PASSOK representative Stelleos Papatemelis state that if there was any `political moral to the story' it would be the one written by Skopje (`Greece has finally recognised us as Macedonia.'), rather than the one of the Greek people.

`Political Spring' leader Andonis Samaras has also assessed the concert as a tremendous embarrassment whose objective it was to conceal the even greater shame brought about by the Government. In his opinion the Greek Government was laying the foundations for a `go-ahead' to the UN Security Council to approve a reference for their northern neighbour containing the word Macedonia.


GRKOT ZORBA' GI POTVRDUVA DOBRITE ODNOSI KON KOI SE STREMAT MAKEDONIJA I GRCIJA

Izvedbata na koncertot `Grkot Zorba' na Mikis Teodorakis vo Skopje pretstavuva znaccaen ccekor i i gi potvrduva dobrite odnosi kon koi se stramat dvete drzzavi, izjavil vccera portparolot na grcckata Vlada, Dimitris Repas. Kako ssto prenesuva `Makfaks' Repas pritoa izrazil nadezz deka bilateralnite odnosi megju dvete zemji kje stanat usste posrdeccni dokolku se najde ressenie za imeto koe spored nego pretstavuva `trn vo odnosite na dvete zemji'.

Mikis Teodorakis inaku, kako ssto pissuva `Nova Makedonija' izrazil gotovnost da uccestvuva na festivalot vo Ohrid vo juni so baletskata pretstava `Grkot Zorba', a po toa bi odrzzal takvi pretstavi i vo Izmir vo Turcija i vo Tirana vo Albanija.

Atinskite glasila, spored `Nova Makedonija', vo vrska so koncertot vo Skopje najccesto ocenuvaat deka toj pokraj gradenjeto na mostovi ssto gi zblizzuva narodite na dvete zemji sozdava i podobra klima za ressavanje na ednistveniot neressen problem okolu imeto na severniot sosed. Pritoa se dodava i deka zblizzuvanjeto na dvata naroda ne e samo znaccajno za Grcija i Makedonija, tuku i za mirot i stabilnosta na Balkanot.

Sepak nekoi krugovi vo Atina imaat i poinakvo mislenje vo vrska kulturniot nastan vo Skopje. Pratenikot na PASOK, Steleos Paptemelis, ocenil deka dokolku od koncertot postoi politiccka poraka, togass toa e ne e onaa ssto mu se sugerira na grcckiot narod, tuku ona ssto go pissuva peccatot vo Skopje deka `koneccno Grcija ne prizna kako Makedonija'.

I za liderot na Politicckata prolet Andonis Samaras koncertot vo Skopje bil nezamisliva sramota so ssto Vladata nastoi da ja odbegne svojata sramota. Spoerd nego grcckata Vlada se podgotvuva da dade zeleno svetlo na Sovetot za bezbednost na ON za koneccno odreduvanje na imeto na severniot sosed koe kje go sodrzzi i zborot Makedonija.

16/04/1997 - M.I.L.S. (Skopje)


DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS GOV'T WORKING FOR 'ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION' TO FYROM NAME ISSUE

No one is in a position to know whether the procedure for finding a commonly acceptable solution to the name issue - the main difference in relations between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) - will be short or drawn out, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said in Thessaloniki on Saturday.

"We shall do whatever is possible for an acceptable solution, regardless of the time required. The crucial issue is the interim agreement and the terms formulated by the two countries, which led to the neutralization of those issues separating us, be it the symbols or irredentism," he added.

The Greek minister stressed the significance of the formation of important economic relations and the need for the two nations to co-exist peacefully.

"This is promoted to an important degree through a strengthening of the freedom of communication, economic co-operation and cultural exchanges," he said.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added that composer Mikis Theodorakis' recent concert in Skopje confirmed this policy.

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)