The world-renowned director Yiannis Smaragdis received a congratulatory letter from the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, for his election as an Academician of Europe.
In particular, Yiannis Smaragdis received the following Letter from the Prime Minister and his associates:
“Dear Mr. Smaragdi,
We convey to you the congratulations of the Prime Minister and all of us on your election.
It is another recognition of your work and a great honor for our country
Sincerely,
General Secretariat of the Prime Minister”.
Along with the congratulations of the Prime Minister and his colleagues, the multi-awarded director Yiannis Smaragdis for his election as an Academician in the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, received warm congratulations from former Prime Ministers, former President of the Republic, ministers current and former, academics, intellectuals, historians, directors, descendants of Ioannis Kapodistrias and Hero Alexandros Ypsilantis, wonderful Greek women of the diaspora and others for the great honor done to him.
Yiannis Smaragdis becomes the first Greek director to become a regular member of the European Academy, which has its headquarters in Salzburg, Austria, Mozart’s birthplace, is under the auspices of the Presidency of 12 European states and is connected to a number of distinguished universities and research centers. Its members are 38 Nobel Prize winners and dozens of others with great international distinctions.
His election as an academician is a particularly honorable distinction of general value and at the same time a reward for the Greek director with the deepest Greek imprint throughout his work for 40 years, with reference to the great forms and values of universal Hellenism, from Homer and the classics , the three great civilizations (Minoan, Ancient, Byzantine) to the series of great scientists from pre-Socratic philosophers to leading scientists and contemporary poets Cavafy, Seferis, Elytis, and the writer Kazantzakis.
Yiannis Smaragdis: It is a great honor first for our Greece, for our culture, and then for the good Greek cinema
Regarding his election, the now popular director and academic said: “I consider it a great honor first for our Greece, for our culture, and then for the good Greek cinema.
That is why I feel that it is an Honor for the directors as well: Giorgos Tzavellas (ARMAL LYRA, ANTIGONE) Alekos Sakelarios (ALMOST TO THE YOUNG, LATERNA POVERTY AND CHARITY) Nikos Koundouros (LITTLE VENUS, DRAGON, the abused film of 1922) Vassilis Georgiadis (RED LIGHTS, CHRIST IS CROSSED AGAIN on TV) Michalis Kakogianni (ELEKTRA, ALEXIS ZORBAS) Alexis Damianos (UNTIL THE SHIP, EVDOCIA) Theodoro Angelopoulos (THIASO, DAYS OF 36) Laki Papastathi (THE TIME OF HELLENIC, THEOPHILOS) Costa Koutsomytis (DYEED RED HAIR on TV) Municipality of Avdeliodi (THE TREE WE HURT, SPRING MEETING OF THE AGROGUARDS the abused VICTORY OF SAMOTHRACE) Panteli Voulgari (THE CONSULATE OF ANNA, MIKRA ENGLAND) Dimitri Maurikio (AENIGMA EST, IONIAN BRIDGE) Toni Lykouresi (GOLD HAIRED, SLAVES IN THEIR BONDS) Filippo Koutsafti (AGELASTOS PETRA) Dimitri Hadzi (RODINA ACROGIALIA) Theodoros Marago (LEARN MY CHILD LETTERS) Thodori Papadoulaki (THE ISLAND on TV) Christoforo Papakaliati (ANOTHER WORLD) Angelos Frantzis (HAPPINESS) etc.
So I accept this distinction as my triple duty: A duty of honor and memory for the Greek directors of Cinema and Theatre, who wrote a brilliant history in their field with worldwide successes, with films and with theatrical performances that were loved by the world.
It is my duty to try, within the framework of the Academy, to enrich it with representatives of modern Greece in the fields of Spirit and Fine Arts. There are important Greeks who deserve it from the fields of Music, Painting, Literature, Theater. It is my duty to remind you that all the great creators of our nation in the last centuries, the Fathers of the modern Greek Civilization, in all the arts fertilized the great Greek values with modern international currents and creative pursuits. With this combination, they integrated their works into our national and at the same time European, ecumenical and global tradition. Only this combination, with deep national roots and modern searches, has led every creator, of every country, to personal acclaim and recognition of far-reaching and timeless value.”
In addition, the Society of Greek Directors sent their greetings:
The Society of Greek Directors warmly welcomes the election of the great Greek director-creator, Yiannis Smaragdis, as a regular member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.
Yiannis Smaragdis is now the first Greek director to be elected a regular member of this important European organization and even unanimously by the Academy’s board as a representative of modern Greek culture.
This extraordinary personal honor is reflected in all Greek artists and especially in audiovisual creators. Yiannis Smaragdis himself, both with his work and with his intellectual constant presence, continues a personal journey of international artistic recognition, despite the adverse circumstances he encounters and the Society wants to highlight this. An accomplished creator now honored with his highest choice in the European Academy, an institution that is under the auspices of the Presidency of 12 European states and whose members are 38 Nobel Prize winners and dozens of other international personalities.
The official reception of Yannis Smaragdis as a new academician in the Arts class will take place at a special celebratory event at the Academy’s headquarters, in Salzburg, Austria, on March 9 next year.
#Congratulations #Kyriakos #Mitsotakis #Yiannis #Smaragdis #election #Academician #Europe
**Interview with Yiannis Smaragdis: The First Greek Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts**
**Interviewer:** Yiannis, congratulations on becoming the first Greek member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. How does it feel to receive this significant recognition?
**Yiannis Smaragdis:** Thank you! It truly is a great honor, not just for me personally, but for Greece, our rich culture, and for the advancement of Greek cinema. This recognition reflects the creative legacy of our nation and the remarkable achievements of many artists who have come before me.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the legacy of Greek cinema and directors. Can you elaborate on what this recognition means for them?
**Yiannis Smaragdis:** Absolutely. I view this honor as a tribute to the many brilliant Greek directors who have shaped our cinematic landscape over the years. From Giorgos Tzavellas to Theo Angelopoulos and many others, they laid the groundwork for what we now consider Greek cinema. It is my duty to pay homage to their work and to elevate our presence in the arts on an international level.
**Interviewer:** You’ve received congratulatory messages from notable figures, including the Prime Minister. How does this support impact you and your work?
**Yiannis Smaragdis:** It’s incredibly heartwarming to receive such recognition from esteemed figures and colleagues. Their support energizes my commitment to contribute positively to the Academy. It makes me want to work even harder to bring attention to the richness of Greek art and culture and to highlight the talents of our contemporary artists in music, literature, and the fine arts.
**Interviewer:** You plan to enrich the Academy with representatives from modern Greek culture. What steps do you envision taking toward that goal?
**Yiannis Smaragdis:** I intend to advocate for more representation of Greek creators within the Academy. I believe we have a wealth of talent across various domains—whether in music, theatre, or visual arts—that deserves recognition. By bringing these artists to the forefront, we can showcase the vibrancy of the Greek spirit and ensure that our contemporary narratives are shared and celebrated widely.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how do you feel your work has been influenced by Ancient and Byzantine Greece, which you mentioned in your statement?
**Yiannis Smaragdis:** My work is deeply rooted in the values and narratives of our civilization—from the epics of Homer to the philosophies of our ancient thinkers. Their themes of humanity, conflict, and beauty resonate through my films. I aim to reconnect audiences with those timeless stories while adapting them to contemporary contexts. This, I believe, is my own contribution to the legacy of Greek art.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Yiannis. Your passion for Greek culture shines through, and we look forward to seeing how you continue to elevate it on the global stage.
**Yiannis Smaragdis:** Thank you for having me. I’m excited for what lies ahead, both for myself and for the future of Greek arts and culture.
