Spyros Mercouris

Honorary President of the ECCM Network

presentation: Introduction to the Symposium
categories: Opening + Capitals of Culture +Kids' Guernica Experiences + Kids' Guernica Exhibition at the Zappeion Megaron Athens

CV

Born in Athens (1926). Studied Law at the University of Athens. Active in the Resistance during the German/Italian occupation. Member of the resistance organisation “Democratic Defence” during the colonels’ junta (1967-74) in Greece. Organised the tour of Melina Mercouri against the dictatorship in 14 countries of Europe. Took part in activities against the junta throughout Europe and United States with speeches, interviews and by organising political and cultural events. Co-founder of the political party PASOK.

Owner and Director of the property development company in London “Dimmerk Property Developments LTD” (1969-81).

Special advisor and co-ordinator of cultural events at the Ministry of Culture in Greece and abroad (1981-89).
Organiser and general co-ordinator of the first Cultural Capital of Europe “Athens 1985”.

Contributed towards the construction of the exact replicas of the ancient trade ship “Kyrenia II” 300 BC and of the ancient war ship Trireme 500 BC Organiser of the events for the launching of the ships “Kyrenia II” and “Trireme Olympias”.

Organiser of the kindling of the Flame for the Olympic Games and its celebration in Athens for the International Olympics in Seoul (1988). Presentation of the exhibition “Mind and Body” in Athens and in
Seoul.

Greek Organiser and co-ordinator for a year of cultural events by the city of Dallas “Dallas World Salute to Greece” (1990).

Organiser and curator of 70 exhibitions in Greece and abroad among which the most important are: “Greece and the Sea”, “Democracy and Classical Education”, “From Byzantium to El Greco”, “Prehistory and Antiquity”, “The Mycenean World”, “The Human Figure in Early Greek Art”, “Mind and Body”, “A Stage for Dionysos - Theatrical Space and Ancient Drama” “Greek Myths & Ancient Drama at La Scala”. These exhibitions have been presented at prestigious venues such as the National Archaeological Museum of Greece, the National Gallery of Greece, the National Gallery in Washington D.C., the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore, the Royal Academy of London the Theatre Museum of London, the Antiken Museum in Berlin, La Scala di Milano.

Co-ordinator of event on island of Lemnos “Aegean Archipelago” for the preservation of Culture and Environment (Melina Mercouris’ last vision).

General co-ordinator of the Cultural Capital’s Seminar: “New Cultural Roads in Europe”, during the event, “Waves of the Black Sea” and “Aegean Archipelago”.

Organiser of numerous symposia, such as “Man at the age of technology” “Experiences and Visions” “Thucydides” etc. and TV programs on culture also lectures and personal appearances on television in Greece and abroad.

Producer and director of the following documentaries: “Poets sing to Greece”, “A voyage through Myth and Time”, “Onassis’ Cultural Heritage”. Co-founder of the film distribution company “Lambiris - Mercouris”.

Co-ordinator of the European Cultural Event, 5th of May 2000 - Day of Culture, with the theme “Freedom of Expression and Dialogue” and 5th of May 2002 - Day of Culture, with the theme “Cultural Diversity Versus Uniformity” organised by the Network of Cultural Capitals and Cultural Months of Europe.

Honorary President of the Network of Cultural Capitals and Cultural Months of Europe. President of the non profit organization Horizons – Actions. Member of the Board of Directors of the Melina Mercouri Foundation. Special Advisor to the movement “Kids’ of Guernica. Member of the Board of the Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Athens for eight (8) years until 1996.

Address:

Mercouris, Spyros

Honorary President of the ECCM

Member of the Melina Mercouri Foundation

President of Horizons

26 Tsakalof Street

Athens 10673

Greece

Tel. 003 0 210 36 44 639

e-mail: smerc@hol.gr

and at Melina Mercouri Foundation

Tel. 003 0 210 3315601