The Ministry of Culture, in the context of declaring 2025 as the year dedicated to Mikis Theodorakis, in collaboration with the Megaron, the Athens Concert Hall and the Music Library “Lilian Voudouri” of the Friends of Music Association, presents the exhibition “My Galaxy: Mikis Theodorakis”. At the same time, an album dedicated to the composer is being published, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Athens Concert Hall, and the Friends of Music Association, and an exhibition is being organized, which will tour Greece. In addition, special museum kits will be sent to schools for use by students.

The composer – An anniversary

Mikis Theodorakis was one of the most familiar and important figures in Greek music and public life. His decisive influence marked 20th-century Greece, and his work influenced the development of Greek music. His music was loved by all Greeks. From the late 1950s, when he began writing his most popular works, until his death in 2021, he set Greek poetry to music and expressed the values for which he fought tirelessly and relentlessly. July 29, 2025, marks the 100th anniversary of his birth, and this anniversary is the occasion for an exhibition that gives the public the opportunity to get to know the man behind the melodies that are landmarks in the music and history of our country and to see rare documents from his archive.

About the current exhibition

The title of the exhibition, My Galaxy, comes from the composer’s own words when asked to describe his works: “I consider my musical work to be a unified whole. After all, I strive to bring together works from the same period (and beyond) into small collections (songs, symphonies, operas) with common musical themes, so that they travel through time together and form small musical galaxies.” The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the many different sides of Theodorakis, as illuminated by his experiences and emotions. It is structured around 16 themes covering aspects of his life and work, presented in an equal number of specially designed spaces within the exhibition. The thematic sections refer indicatively to his symphonic work, his poetry set to music, his music for theater and cinema, his operas and ballets, folk songs, music associated with struggles, his youth, his years in exile, his political and literary activities, his international influence, and his special relationship with the Megaron the Athens Concert Hall.

The composer’s archives

The composer’s complete archive consists of more than 100,000 sheets and includes handwritten scores, original texts, programs, press clippings, photographs, audiovisual material, frames, printed matter, posters, medals, and other diverse material. The manuscripts in the archive have been digitized and are freely available online. The significant first of this exhibition is that, for the first time, the original documents of the Mikis Theodorakis Archive are on display, are being exhibited, giving visitors the opportunity to see them, learn the story behind each one, and discover hidden historical treasures. Admission to the exhibition is free, as it aims to be a source of knowledge, education, and entertainment for all.

Mikis Theodorakis at the Megaron and the Music Library

Mikis Theodorakis and the Athens Concert Hall have been working together since the latter opened in 1991. Its halls have hosted all kinds of music by the great composer, from songs and chamber music to symphonic works and ballets, with the highlight being in 2002, when the composer’s last major original work, the opera “Lysistrata,” commissioned by the Megaron as part of the 2001-2004 Cultural Olympiad.

The Mikis Theodorakis Archive is a major attraction for the Library, as it is the largest archive in terms of volume and visitor numbers at the Lillian Voudouri Music Library. Its multifaceted content, both in terms of material type and content categories, attracts a large number of visitors every day, including not only scientists but also students, journalists, and the general public.

With this exhibition, the Friends of Music Association wishes to express its gratitude to Mikis Theodorakis for the trust he showed in granting access to his archive, and to honor his memory by highlighting the many and varied aspects of his musical and political legacy.

GENERAL SUPERVISION

Alexandros Charkiolakis, musicologist, Director

SCIENTIFIC SUPERVISION

Valia Vraka, musicologist, head of the Greek Music Department at the Lillian Voudouri Music Library of the Friends of Music Association

CURATOSHIP

Stefania Merakou, musicologist, former director of the Lillian Voudouri Music Library of the Friends of Music Association

Valia Vraka, musicologist, head of the Greek Music Department at the Lillian Voudouri Music Library of the Friends of Music Association

DESIGNED BY

Erato Koutsoudaki, architect-muσεολογιστ

DURATION

30 October- 30 December 2025

OPENING HOURS
Monday- Friday 13:00 – 20:00

Saturday- Sunday 12:00 – 19:00

On the days of performances at the Christos Lambrakis Hall, the Exhibition will remain open until the start of the performances.

Organized tours will be announced soon.

ADMISSION FREE