They called her: “last Greek goddess” and a “woman - flame”. Throughout her life, Melina Mercouri was full of dreams, hopes, and fights. She was one of the most important Greeks of the 20th century.
“...I hope to see the Parthenon Marbles back to Athens before I die. But, if they come later, I will be reborn...” This phrase sums up the passion of Melina Mercou- ri’s campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles. A woman-symbol whom left her mark on the entire world with her words, actions, style, and presence. She fought for Greece and lived with one and only demand: to see the Parthenon Marbles back to their homeland. She didn’t need any introductions to be recognized. Just the sound of her first name was enough. Melina of “Stella”, Melina of “Never on Sunday”, Melina of Parthenon Marbles, Melina of Greece, Melina of Greeks.
She was born οn October 18, 1920, and she came from a family of politicians since her grandfather was one of the most successful and popular Mayors of Athens for more than twenty years. Also, her father was a Minister for more than thirty years. Her grandfather was her role model, “He taught me to love Greece, to be brave, and to not count on money. For him, money were a great shame. He taught me the fairytale of life. He infused me with the idea that Greece, Athens are the top” .
“...Greta Garbo is who made me become an actress...”
From a very young age, she revealed her untamed, powerful and reactionary character. While, her female classmates played with dolls, she was standing in front of a mirror and she was performing. “Greta Garbo is who made me become an actress,” she says. In September, 1938, she was accepted to the Drama School of the National Theatrein Athens. Her dream had just begun. She would get married at the age of 17. But, she would find her true love at the Cannes Festival’s Red Carpet in 1955 when she was nominated for her main role in Michael Cacoyannis’ “Stella.” It was a love at first sight with the American film director, Jules Dassin who would change Mercouri’s life forever: “Jules has taught me what cinematography means. He has taught me everything.”
“...Jules has taught me what cinematography means. He has taught me everything....”
Back in 1960, Mercouri and Dassin were nominated for the Academy Awards for Best Actress in leadingrole with the movie “Never on Sunday.” .Although, she didn’t win the Best Actress Award, the movie won the Academy Award for Best Song composed by Manos Hadjidakis. Another movie was coming up in 1961, in which Melina starred “Phaedra” in the eponymous film. A part of the filming took place in the British Museum’s hall where the Parthenon Marbles are displayed. This moment would markthe beginning of a perpetual struggle for Mercouri. In 1967, the coup d’ état stopped her plans by changingher Greek citizenship. She self-exiled to Paris, and she would only return after the fall of Greek’smilitary junta in 1974. She would become a founding member of the Greek Socialist Party, and in 1977 she would win a parliamentary seat.
She became a very passionate and controversial Minister of Culture and Sciences from 1981 to 1989 and from 1993 to 1994. Back in 1982, at the UNESCO’s International Conference of Culture Ministers, in Mexico, there would be the first time where the return of the Parthenon Marbles issue would be officially set on the table. “Parthenon Marbles do exist. There are no such things as the Elgin Marbles,” shepassionately advocated.
“...I hope to see the Parthenon Marbles back to Athens before I die. But, if they come later, I will be reborn....”
Freedom was the most important thing for her. She had fought her whole life to be free as a person, but she had never managed to release from her favorite habit, smoking, which ultimately killed her, as she was diagnosed with lung cancer. “I thought that I would be afraid of the illness, but what I’m afraid of the most is to not loving me,” she said. Being hospitalized at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, she asked for a cigarette. “From life to death is just a lit cigarette” , she said and the doctors would be left speechless. Mercouri died on 6 March, 1994. She was the first Greek woman buried with honors of Head of State. During her funeral the Broadway theaters and shops were closed, while her date of death designed by UNESCO as a World Day of Culture.
A flamboyant and very outspoken personality, the “last Greek Goddess” had become a part of history. She fought, she was attacked, she loved and being loved. She acted, performed and she reached the top. Her deep voice, her big smile, her seductive green eyes, her natural sophisticated blonde hair, her huge hug. She would burst into tears every time she would listen Edith Piaf’s last concert. She was glowing from happiness every time she was into Jules’ hug. She would get mad every time she was listening others calling her homeland’s heritage “Elgin Marbles”. Because, there will never be such things. σ