Angelos Theodorakis, the grandson of the celebrated Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, said his grandfather was a role model for him but that he would never claim to resemble him. He made the remarks in a television interview broadcast on Tuesday, September 15.
Speaking on the programme "Studio at 3," Angelos Theodorakis said that although he understood from an early age that his grandfather was an important figure, real fear set in once he grasped the scale of Mikis Theodorakis's stature.
A Childhood Marked by Awe
He said that until the third grade of elementary school, he lived in the same building as his grandfather, who lived two floors above him. Once he realized the "magnitude" of his grandfather, he said, a sense of reserve took hold of him. He described it as a fear, an awe, saying he did not know how to approach a person of that stature.
Mikis Theodorakis was one of Greece's most celebrated composers, known internationally for the score of the film "Zorba the Greek" and, in Greece, for decades of political activism as well as his music. He died in September 2021.
Not a Classic Grandfather-Grandson Bond
Angelos Theodorakis said the two of them never had what he called a classic grandfather-grandson relationship. He said Mikis Theodorakis was, in reality, a very tender man and grandfather who opened his arms to everyone, not only to his own family.
He said he admired his grandfather for many reasons, calling him a role model in terms of philosophy, thought and outlook, and describing him as a man who worked extremely hard. At the same time, he said he could not say he resembled his grandfather and would never claim such a thing himself.
Longing for a Grandfather's Attention
Angelos Theodorakis said he always hoped to see some sign of personal interest from his grandfather. He said that, as a small child, which is what he was to Mikis Theodorakis, he would have liked to receive a gift, any gift, or a toy, something that showed the older man had thought about what Angelos actually liked.
He said a child wants to see proof that the adult in their life has paid attention, adding that he understands this well because he now tries to do the same thing with his own children.
An Interest in His Music
As he grew older, Angelos Theodorakis said what he wanted most from his grandfather was for him to show interest in his own music, and that this eventually happened. He said Mikis Theodorakis told him not to stop working and to keep writing music all the time.
He said what mattered to him was simply confirming that his grandfather had genuinely listened to his music, and nothing more than that.
