The European Parliament remembers Melina Merkouris, who was born on this day in 1920.
“Melina Merkouri was passionate about everything she did: from her appearances in the theater and on the big screen in the early stages of her life, to her fight against the fascist junta that took power in Greece in 1967, and her campaign, as a politician, for the protection and promotion of culture in Europe”, notes the European Parliament.
A vision for Europe
As Greek Minister of Culture in 1983, Merkouri organized a meeting with the Ministers of Culture of the other nine EU member states during the first Greek Presidency of the Council.
She urged other ministers to join her efforts for greater cultural awareness across Europe. This was the first in a series of regular meetings between Europe’s culture ministers, which continue to this day.