Dimitris Papaioannou was yesterday named artistic director of the Athens 2004 opening and closing ceremonies. ‘My responsibility concerns the concept, the detailed script, the choice of artistic collaborators — the production of the creative part,’ he said.

Choreographer, dancer and theatrical director Dimitris Papaioannou was yesterday appointed artistic director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. The events have a budget of 49,156,272 euros.

In announcing the appointment, Martin Simitsek, an Athens 2004 executive director, said the opening ceremony on August 13, 2004 would be one of “grandeur and moderation” and both “Greek and international.”

Papaioannou, 38, is the founder of the Omada Edafous dance troup and has directed productions such as “Medea,” “Helen’s Return” and “Forever.” He will be paid 1,300,000 euros for the Olympics. Papaionannou was appointed, said Simitsek, as neither European Union nor Greek legislation required a competition for artistic events. He said the Athens 2004 committee, the IOC, PM Costas Simitis and Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos had been "unanimous" in their choice.