Aliki and Tzeni together again at theater museum
“One evening at Sideris’s house I saw two young women walk in. What struck me was the fact they were holding hands. It was Aliki and Tzeni,» said playwright Iakovos Kambanellis as he unveiled the Aliki Vouyiouklaki and Tzeni Karezi dressing-room displays at the Greek Theater Research Center – Theater Museum last week. Movie stars on the silver screen and prominent actresses on stage, signature blond Vouyiouklaki and brunette Karezi defined the golden era of Greek blockbusting cinema in the 1960s (in black and white) and ’70s (in color). The two dressing-room displays are in excellent company, joining those of fellow celebrated Greek actors and actresses Katina Paxinou, Alexis Minotis, Marika Kotopouli, Elli Lambeti, Dimitris Horn and Melina Mercouri. The displays feature personal items such as glasses, family photos, cosmetics, jewelry pieces and costumes from landmark performances as well as various mementos from stage productions. Also showcased are books written about the two actresses. At the Theater Museum last week, Kambanellis spoke about Karezi and Lakis Michailidis about Vouyiouklaki. Close friends and collaborators of the late actresses, they appeared deeply moved during the event. «What a shame they passed away so suddenly,» said Michailidis, while Kambanellis added, «They came together, they left together; they are together.» Well-known actors and friends gathered at the museum last week to pay tribute. These included Antigone Valakou, Tzeni Roussea, Anna Kalouta and Zozo Sapountzaki, among others. Also present were family members on both sides: Karezi’s husband, actor Costas Kazakos and their son Constantinos, also an actor; Vouyiouklaki’s son Yiannis Papamichail, her mother Emy and her brothers Antonis and Takis. The world of politics was represented by Culture Ministry General Secretary Costas Zachopoulos, former Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis, and new Cultural Olympiad President Stamatis Mavros.
