Following a decision of the Nicosia Municipal Council, Museum Avenue was renamed Museum Avenue in a modest ceremony on the afternoon of November 30, 2021 at the Nicosia Municipal Theater, in the presence of the composer's daughter, Margarita Theodoraki.
In his greeting at the event, which was read by the Director of Secondary Education, Kyprianos Louis, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, Prodromos Prodromou, praised the struggles of Mikis Theodorakis in favor of Democracy and his great contribution to world culture.
He noted that "for three quarters of a century he maintained a unique relationship of love, concern and devotion to our island and to the Cypriot Hellenism.
As the Minister of Education said the "Golden Green Leaf" of Mikis Theodorakis, "remains for many people synonymous with Cyprus while Cyprus can be remembered since the first performance of 'Axion Esti' was heard on the frequency of the Cyprus Radio Foundation in 1964".
Concluding, he announced a series of events of the Ministry of Education to honor the memory and contribution of Mikis Theodorakis.
In his own greeting at the event, the Mayor of Nicosia, Konstantinos Giorkatzis, described Mikis Theodorakis as "revolutionary, humanist, timeless, authentic, unique, special but also an ardent supporter of the struggle of Cyprus for liberation".
He added that "we are constantly looking for the songs of Mikis Theodorakis because they inspire us to continue the struggle until the Cyprus of love and dreams is liberated".
It is recalled that on October 12, 2005 the Municipal Council honored the great composer by declaring him an Honorary Citizen of Nicosia, handing him the golden key of the city.
After his death, which plunged the world into mourning, the Municipal Council of Nicosia decided, in addition to renaming Museum Avenue to Mikis Theodorakis Avenue, that the under construction amphitheater under the old GSP be named "Miki" amphitheater.
In this area, Mikis Theodorakis in 1975 gave a big concert in support of the refugees and the struggle of the Cypriot people for freedom.
(KYPE / AAG / HF)