Theodorakis bans use of his music in Beijing
Internationally renowned composer Mikis Theodorakis has forbidden the government from allowing the use of his scores during the ceremonies at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, it was revealed yesterday. Theodorakis told the Culture Ministry «to ban the use of my music and my name during the ceremonies in Beijing.» He was responding to a question tabled in Parliament by three PASOK MPs regarding the ministry’s alleged failure to pay outstanding fees to Theodorakis’s orchestra and its intentions to allow the use of his music in Beijing. The ministry reacted saying that the orchestra would be paid and Theodorakis’s music would be used in Beijing. But Theodorakis sent a letter to the MPs in which he reportedly said he will not tolerate being offended as an artist and as a Greek. Theodorakis forbade the use of his music for the Athens 2004 Olympics after a clash with ministry officials.
