Votes for ‘Great Greeks’ are in
How often have you mentioned a memorable Greek personality in a friendly conversation, commenting on their vision and contribution? At a time of doubt, television channel SKAI reminds us of great personalities that have lived throughout the centuries as well as contemporaries, all of whom rightfully gained a place in collective memory with their contributions. The major television series «Great Greeks» begins tonight at 10 p.m. This unique television undertaking aims to cast the spotlight on the most important Greek of all time. Its first part was completed in May, when 38,472 people voted for the top 100 «Great Greeks.» In the second part, journalist and Kathimerini editor Alexis Papachelas will introduce the 100 greatest Greeks, in order of voting, in two two-hour documentaries, tonight and on February 23. Ninety personalities will receive a short presentation, while those voted in the top 10 will enjoy a full-length presentation, each with a one-hour documentary, to be screened from March 2 to May 11. Presenting the documentaries will be Thanos Veremis, Pemi Zouni, Vassilis Karasmanis, Sia Kossioni, Stefanos Manos, Grigoris Patrikareas, Yannis Smaragdis, Petros Tatsopoulos, Tassos Telloglou and Maria Houkli. The greatest of the final 10 contenders will be chosen in a live debate that will be broadcast on May 18, in which the 10 presenters will each be backed by 25 supporters. «It was a lengthy project and hard work, producing the series for the ‘100.’ A team of researchers found and collected documents and archive material about these personalities and chose who would introduce them. It is very difficult to outline the achievements of a major personality in just two minutes. More than 3,000 hours of editing were needed as well as at least 50 interviews, to complete this four-hour work,» said Yiannis Kaspiris, who is responsible for the direction of the two two-hour documentaries. The «Great Greeks» series is sponsored by the National Bank of Greece. The production involves the collaboration of seven script writers, nine directors and dozens of researchers and technicians. The 10 one-hour documentaries were filmed in high definition. They required 300 hours of filming that took place during more than seven months in 50 Greek cities as well as in France, Italy, Egypt and the USA. The directors of the ten documentaries are Lena Voudouri, Ilias Iossifidis, Christos Karakepelis, Yiannis Kaspiris, Giorgos Kolozis, Yiannis Lambrou, Costas Maheras, Mary Papaliou and Markos Holevas. The series’s music is by Evanthia Reboutsika. During the screening of the 10 documentaries, viewers will be able to vote by phone (9011.405.040), by SMS to the number 19400 (write E first and then the name) or by visiting www.greatgreeks.skai.gr. The charge is 50 cents plus VAT for the phone call and 25 cents plus VAT for the SMS.
