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The International Olympics Committee has awarded the Olympiart prize to Mikis Theodorakis. This Prize was "established in 1992 to recognise artists who contribute through their work to the promotion of sport, young people and peace." It was presented at the close of the 116th IOC Session in Athens. Here’s part of a recent interview with Theodorakis from the Israeli newspaper Haaretz: ”Question: Mr. Theodorakis, on November 4, 2003 you said in this house the words that shocked Jews and non-Jews across the world. You said that the Jewish people are at the root of evil. What did you mean? ”Answer:...

JERUSALEM - Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, who outraged Jews in November by calling them "the root of evil," is at it again, this time saying Jews control the world's banks and the mass media. Theodorakis, best known for the score of the 1964 film "Zorba the Greek," called himself a "true friend of the Jewish people" in an interview published Friday by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Theodorakis said he granted the interview to try to soothe the feelings he hurt in November. "And I was very much hurt by the Jewish reaction to what I said. It was not a...

Theodorakis: Jews Control World Finances 2 hours, 31 minutes ago By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI, Associated Press Writer JERUSALEM - Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, who outraged Jews in November by calling them "the root of evil," is at it again, this time saying Jews control the world's banks and the mass media. AP Photo   Theodorakis, best known for the score of the 1964 film "Zorba the Greek," called himself a "true friend of the Jewish people" in an interview published Friday by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Theodorakis said he granted the interview to try to soothe the feelings he hurt...

ATHENS - Twenty-four hours before the opening of the 2004 Olympic Games, we sat on the penthouse roof. The Acropolis hovered above us. A white security blimp hovered above the Acropolis. And when the burning August sun disappeared in the west, when the orchestra began to play, when the Olympic torch was about to arrive, Mikis Theodorakis placed his hand on mine. And said look how beautiful. Look how beautiful. And just as Goethe wrote: It's like frozen music, the Acropolis. It dominates all of Athens like frozen music. Afterward he spoke about his music. How his music comes to...

<p>Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis has followed up with a written statement on his "root of evil" remarks.</p> <p>My opinion of the Israeli people, as on all things, has always been known and I am frankly at a loss as to why such a great commotion was made this time, as if it was heard for the first time. Maybe some people judged this to be the right time to launch an attack on me.</p>

Musician, poet, pro-democracy warrior, custodian of Greek culture. And now hatemonger. Is this a fitting fate for Mikis Theodorakis? We hope not. An occasional visitor to this city - and recipient of an honourary degree from the Université de Montréal - Theodorakis is held in great esteem by many Canadians, especially those of Greek descent. He is loved as the composer of the music to the film Zorba the Greek and admired for the stance he took in the 1970s against the fascists who had seized power in his homeland. Alas, Theodorakis has a problem with Israel, the only democracy...

Greek Jewish leaders denounce remarks by "Zorba" composer Theodorakis ATHENS (AFP) - Greek Jewish leaders came down on one of the country's best-loved composers, Mikis Theodorakis of "Zorba the Greek" fame, for calling Jews the "root of evil", and reproached government ministers for failing to react. Theodorakis "repeated in the 21st century opinions from the darkest Middle Ages and slogans used by Nazi Germany, fanning both inside and outside the country the winds of intolerance and racism," the Central Jewish Council of Greece charged in a statement. The composer was flanked by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Education Minister Petros...