Significant and unexpected losses in the Cypriot and Greek artistic scene were recorded in 2014. Great names "left", but their memorable course does not fade. Let's remember some of them.
Cyprus
On March 4, the art community was shocked by the news of the death of the artist and founder of the Cyprus College of Art In Paraschos, at the age of 81 years. With a long and multifaceted contribution to the development and shaping of modern Cypriot culture, he created and taught in Cyprus and England. In his art he managed to successfully combine the artistic traditions of Western modernism with the traditions of Byzantine Orthodoxy. Stas Paraskos was born in Anafotia, Larnaca in 1933.
On April 10, the actor known and loved by the public passed away after a long battle with cancer Andreas Mousouliotis at the age of 75 years. Andreas Mousouliotis was born in 1939 in Kaimakli. After graduating from Nicosia College, he studied Dramatic Art at the Hellenic Academy of Music in Nicosia and at the Nicosia Art Theater, and then at the Karolos Koun Art Theater in Athens. He was one of the founders of the Art Theater in Nicosia in 1961. He collaborated with many theaters and served the Cypriot theater for about 50 years.
On June 26, the comedian and worker of the Cypriot theater passed away at the age of 86 Costas Papamarkidis at the age of 86 years. He embodied roles that were loved by the audience and his whole presence in the theater and his comedic talent established him as one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation.
On October 23, an important personality of the contemporary art scene of Cyprus, the Glyn Hughes, passed away at the age of 83. Hughes died of a heart attack at Limassol General Hospital. He was born in Wales in 1931 and in 1956 came to Cyprus to teach. Hughes not only chose the island to live permanently and create, but he identified with the artistic and intellectual potential of the place, played a key role in shaping the modern visual landscape and is considered primarily a representative of the second generation of Cypriot painters.
On November 17, the Aristidis Anastasiadis. The great and much loved artist, also known as Arestis Stasi, passed away near his four children at the age of 74 in Germany, where he was receiving treatment for cancer in recent years. From the representatives of the revolutionary movement of Arte Povera, during the last 50 years he presented his work in many solo and group exhibitions in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Cyprus and elsewhere, while his works are in private and public collections and places in Cyprus and abroad.
Greece
Extinguished on February 5, at the age of 74, the great voice of light folk song Jenny Vanou. In 1964 she sang for the first time in front of an audience with Plessas' song "Tora" which won her the first prize at the Thessaloniki Light Music Festival. He sang songs by Mimi Plessas, Mikis Theodorakis, Attik, Alekou Chrysovergis and others. On her own initiative she had retired from the field of song in recent years. Among the successes of Eugenia Vrachnou around the world are the songs "Sklava", "A Thousand Nights", "I see you in my glass", "If I deny you my love".
The death of the famous actor and musician caused pan-Hellenic grief Saki Boula, who "left" on February 21 at the age of 60 losing the battle with cancer. Sakis Boulas had participated in many musical performances and concerts, and had collaborated with notable musical names such as Dionysis Savvopoulos, Vassilis Papakonstantinou, Lavrenti Machairitsa and others. He released five personal albums, while on the small and big screen he left his mark indelibly with his humor and interpretations. Despite the serious health problem he was facing, he had not laid down his arms. Shortly before he left his last breath, he appeared on the Piraeus Coast, participating in the musical performance Gagantin: The Brave of the Night with Dionysis Savvopoulos, Lavrenti Machairitsa and Giannis Zouganelis.
Sadness in the artistic world spread the loss of the singer Laki Pappas, who died on March 26 at the age of 76. He made his first artistic appearance in 1959, playing the guitar in the theatrical performance "Fairy Tale without a name" by Iakovos Kampanellis, while his collaboration with Manos Hatzidakis highlighted him.
Important actor of the Greek theater and cinema, the Margarita Gerardou, died on March 31, at the age of 84. He has played leading roles in more than 60 films, recorded a significant presence at the State Theater of Northern Greece, but also on the small screen. Her last film appearance was in 2001 in the film "Alexandria" by Maria Iliou.
An important form of the Greek book the Mania Karaitidi died on June 2 at the age of 86. She was the head of the "Hestia Bookstore" publishing house from 1972 until shortly before her death, with her office welcoming ideas from intellectuals and artists.
The poet of the post-war generation Byron Leontaris "Left" on August 6, 2014 at the age of 83. He first appeared in 1954 with the poetry collection "General Sense", while his works were translated into French, English and Turkish.
He passed a century of life leaving behind a huge scientific and educational work. THE Emmanuel Kriaras passed away on August 22 at the age of 107. That philosopher, who, as he had said, lived through all the wars, declared himself a socialist, separating his position from communism. "I did not wish you know such a long life… It happened", had also stated, the full professor of medieval Greek literature at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. For the sake of Emmanuel Kriaras, the first extraordinary independent seat of General and Comparative Literature was founded in 1965. His teaching career, however, was violently halted in January 1968, when the junta of colonels decided to expel him from the university for his democratic views.
Mourning bells rang for Greek song with the death of the songwriter, Antonis Vardis, who passed away on September 2, 2014, at the age of 66, and after a battle with cancer. He collaborated with important musicians such as George Dalaras, Giannis Parios, Dimitra Galani, Charoula Alexiou, Eleftheria Arvanitaki, Lavrenti Macharitsa and others. At the age of 17 he formed the band "Vickings", and from 1969 to 1981 he appeared in a Plaka bar next to renowned composers. In 1973 he took part in a competition and won the second composition award.
On September 14, at the age of 88, the director "left" George Skalenakis. In many of his films Nafplio appeared as a background. His first feature film in Greece, Diplopenies, starring Aliki Vougiouklaki and Dimitris Papamichael. She has directed many TV series, while in his film The Island of Aphrodite, Katina Paxinou starred in her unique appearance in a Greek film. The film of Queen Spathi (1966), which gave him the participation in the Chicago Film Festival, was a success.
On October 20, another large popular voice went out. The great performer, lyricist and composer Spyros Zagoraios left at the age of 86. He started his career in 1952, while among the songs that were very successful are: E de la magen, He lit the cigarette, Prayer, In the middle of the city the hammam, In Larissa the river, Trelokoritso and many more.
The warm voice of Greek television, the protagonist of series by Manousos Manousakis and Stratos Markidis, the actor Babis Alatzas "Left" on November 16, at the age of 65 and after a battle with cancer. In 1979 he started his television career, with his appearance in "Notary" of ERT1. He had participated in numerous TV series including "Touch of the Soul" (ANT1 1998), "Kiss of Life" (ANT1 2002), "Do not say goodbye" (ANT1 2004), "Knives of love" (ANT1 2006), " The charmer "(ANT 1 2007) etc.
The first female costume designer of theater and cinema, h Deni (Theoni) Vahlioti died at the age of 92 on 18 November. He wrote costumes for Melina Mercouri and in 1974 she was awarded the Oscar for Costume Design for her work in The Wonderful Gatsby. Also, among the awards he received the "Medal of Freedom" of New York in 1976.
He was found dead by his nephew, with blows and bruises on his body. The great Greek writer and translator Menis Koumandareas was murdered on December 6, at the age of 83. He was considered one of the most important authors of the second post-war generation of Greek prose, and first appeared in literature in 1962 with the publication of the collection of short stories "Ta motorbikes". During the dictatorship he participated in the resistance publication "18 texts" and was tried four times for his work The Armenianization. He won the State Prize for Short Story in 1967 for Armenization and the State Prize for Novel in 1975 for the Glass Industry. Decay, realism, urban decay and alien social mechanisms characterized his pen.
The restless spirit with the anthropocentric orientation in his works, the artist Grigoris Semitekolo "Said goodbye" to painting on December 23, at the age of 79. He combined personal language with abstract patterns, creating a surreal landscape. From the early 1970s, he began organizing live music happenings, and from 1974 onwards, distinctive human figures appeared in his work. His works are in the National Gallery, in the Gallery of the Municipality of Athens, in the Center of Contemporary Art of Rethymno "Lefteris Kanakakis", in the Museum Vorre and elsewhere.
A big, bass voice of the Greek song "said" the final goodbye. THE Maya Melagia or according to Melpomene Tsirigoti passed away on December 27 at the age of 86. She stood out for her brio with her songs being mainly light folk and archontorebetika. Her career "saw" the recognition in the 50s and 60s. In her artistic "agenda" and the cinema, as she appeared in films such as: "Dating With Love" (1957), "Poverty Wants Wellness" (1958) etc.
Source: philenews / news.in.gr