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    • Melina Mercouri

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    Greek actress, singer and politician. Minister of Culture of Greece (1920-1994)

    Maria Amalia “Melina” Mercouriwas a Greek actress, singer, activist, and politician. She came from a political family that was prominent over multiple generations.

    Table of Contents

    Occupation

    actor

    film actor

    politician

    singer

    stage actor

    writer

    About the Melina Mercouri

    Maria Amalia “Melina” Mercouriwas a Greek actress, singer, activist, and politician. She came from a political family that was prominent over multiple generations. She received an Academy Award nomination and won a Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award for her performance in the film Never on Sunday (1960). Mercouri was also nominated for one Tony Award, three Golden Globes and two BAFTA Awards in her acting career. In 1987 she was awarded a special prize in the first edition of the Europe Theatre Prize.

    Mercouri was a member of the Hellenic Parliament, elected as a representative of PASOK. In October 1981, she became the first female Minister of Culture and Sports. She has the longest tenure of any of Greece’s Ministers of Culture, having served from 1981 to 1989, and then from 1993 until her death in 1994, during PASOK governments. Mercouri’s political activism included her long campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles. One of her greatest achievements was the establishment of the European Capitals of Culture, with Athens chosen as the first capital in 1985.

    9 Quotes by Melina Mercouri

    1. 1.

      Much has been said and continues to be said of what little concern the Turks had for the Acropolis treasures.

      Melina Mercouri

      Greek actress, singer and politician. Minister of Culture of Greece (1920-1994)

    2. 2.

      You know, it is said that we Greeks are a fervent and warm blooded breed. Well, let me tell you something – it is true.

      Melina Mercouri

      Greek actress, singer and politician. Minister of Culture of Greece (1920-1994)

    3. 3.

      Read Churchill, he tells you how crucial was the Greek role in your decisive desert victory over Rommel.

      Melina Mercouri

      Greek actress, singer and politician. Minister of Culture of Greece (1920-1994)

    4. 4.

      We are ready to say that we rule the entire Elgin enterprise as irrelevant to the present.

      Melina Mercouri

      Greek actress, singer and politician. Minister of Culture of Greece (1920-1994)

    5. 5.

      England and Greece are friends. English blood was shed on Greek soil in the war against fascism, and Greeks gave their lives to protect English pilots.

      Melina Mercouri

      Greek actress, singer and politician. Minister of Culture of Greece (1920-1994)

    6. 6.

      And, of course, it must be asked: is it proper to transact with the Turks for the most reassured of Greek possessions when Greece is under Turkish invasion and subjugation?

      Melina Mercouri

      Greek actress, singer and politician. Minister of Culture of Greece (1920-1994)

    7. 7.

      In the world over, the very name of our country is immediately associated with the Parthenon.

      Melina Mercouri

      Greek actress, singer and politician. Minister of Culture of Greece (1920-1994)

    8. 8.

      There are no such things as the Elgin Marbles.

      Melina Mercouri

      Greek actress, singer and politician. Minister of Culture of Greece (1920-1994)

    9. 9.

      We say to the British government: you have kept those sculptures for almost two centuries. You have cared for them as well as you could, for which we thank you. But now in the name of fairness and morality, please give them back.

      Melina Mercouri

      Greek actress, singer and politician. Minister of Culture of Greece (1920-1994)