2.  Born on June 11, 1922 in Limassol, Cyprus, Michael Cacoyannis was the elder son of Sir Panayiotis and Lady Cacoyannis.  He studied law in London and was called to the Bar (Barrister-at-law) in 1943.  While working for the BBC's Greek service, first as a news announcer and then as a producer of cultural programs, he also studied acting at the Central School of Dramatic Art in London and directing at the Old Vic School.

3.  Not long after his debut as an actor in 1947, he decided to concentrate instead on directing.  In 1952 he left London to settle in Athens and one year later the success of his first film (“Windfall in Athens”) marked the beginning of an international career in directing. Among them “Stella”, “A Girl in Black”, “A Matter of Dignity”, “Zorba the Greek” and the trilogy of “Electra”, “The Trojan Women”, “Iphigenia”, his films were regularly screened at the most prestigious International film festivals, receiving awards and distinctions. Michael Cacoyannis has worked with some of the best and most distinguished actors of his time, in Greece, Europe and Hollywood. “Zorba the Greek” Auth or: Nikos Kazantzakis Starring: Antoni Quinn, Alan Bates, Lila Kedrova, Irini Papas

4.  Acknowledged and internationally awarded, Michael Cacoyannis has created outstanding works of Cinema, Theatre and Opera. Since the 50s, he has directed 15 films, 36 plays and 7 operas in Greece, the U.S.A. and Europe. The Cherry Orchard 1999 Scenario/ Direction: Michael Cacoyannis (based on the play by Anton Chekhov) Music:Peter Tchaikovsky Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Alan Bates, The Rape of Cyprus is a documentary film about the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. It was filmed on location in Cyprus and Greece in the immediate aftermath of the two Turkish invasions and subsequent occupation of approximately the northern third of the island. Cacoyannis chronicles the events of 1974 in Cyprus with rare interviews of President Makarios of the Republic, Nicos Sampson - the man the Greek junta imposed as leader after their attempted coup, and many Greek Cypriot victims of the Turkish invasion. AWARDS: Best Full Length Documentary, Florence The Troyan Women 1971 Katharine Hepburn, Geneviève Bujold, Vanessa Redgrave, Irene Papas, Brian Blessed Attila '74: http://www.mcf.gr/en/micheal_cacoyannis/Directing/Films /

5. Iphigenia at Avlis and Iphigenia in Tauris 1987 Country: Germany Venue: Frankfurt State Opera La Traviata 1982 Country: Greece, Venue: Greek National Opera La Boheme 1972 Country: U.S.A. Venue: Juilliard Opera New York http://www.mcf.gr/en/micheal_cacoyannis/Directing/Opera/ Lysistrata 2005 Ancient Epidarus Theatre Maya Morgensten, Vladimir Ivanof Medea 2001 – 2002 Spain, Greece/Merida Roman Theatre, Tour in Spain, Odeon of Herodus Atticus Nouria Espert, Peppe Sancho

6.  It was Michael Cacaoyannis' initiative that led to the dramatic new illumination of the Acropolis.  He enlisted the services of the famous French Engineer Pierre Bideau for a study, and after generous donations by the Friends of Athens, which he established, the project finally received backing from the Ministry of Culture and the City of Athens.

7.  For his work and overall contributions to the Arts, Michael Cacoyannis has been awarded the Order of the Golden Phoenix (Greece), the Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres (France), the Grand Cross / Order of Makarios 3rd (Cyprus) and the Special Grand Prix of the Americas (Montreal).  He has been honoured by the Greek Academy with its highest award for national services and with Lifetime Achievement Award by the Salonica, Jerusalem and Cairo Film Festivals, as well as the American Hellenic Institute in Washington.  He has been declared an Honorary Citizen of Limassol, Montpellier and Dallas, and has received Honory Doctorates from Columbia College (Chicago), Athens University, Cyprus University, and the Aristotelio University of Salonica.