Composer in symbolic square protest
Composer Mikis Theodorakis on Wednesday staged a symbolic protest in Thessaloniki?s central Aristotelous Square after the city?s mayor, Yiannis Boutaris, refused to lend him the space for an anti-austerity speech.
Theodorakis, who has been a staunch supporter of the nationwide Indignant movement that has drawn thousands of Greeks to city squares and spoke at a rally in Athens on May 31, expressed outrage at the mayor?s decision and delivered an anti-austerity speech in the Thessaloniki square regardless.
Boutaris responded by accusing the 85-year-old composer, who has founded his own movement called Spitha (Spark), of ?base populism.?
