Austria Cancels Performance of Mikis Theodorakis; Says Greek Composer Makes Anti-Semitic Statements

The Greek Reporter website reports today (May 7, 2011) that Austrian National Council President Barbara Prammer has canceled the performance of the song trilogy "Mauthausen" by Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis in the framework of the commemoration of the 66th anniversary since the liberation of the Mauthausen extermination camp.

The reason for this sudden and unexpected decision was the repeated anti-Semitic statements made by the composer in past years.

Magazines and newspapers in Vienna maintained that the reaction of the Austrian government was rather insulting and humiliatng for Theodorakis -- a great symbol of eternal fight for Freedom and Democracy.

Theodorakis -- who gained world renown for his music on the 1964 film "Zorba the Greek" -- has repeatedly said that the Jews are "the root of evil" and that Jews are responsible for the current economic recession in Greece and in many other countries around the world.