He died Lefteris Drandakiswith many years of service and contribution to the research and presentation of Greek traditional dance.

Informed of his death, the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni made the following statement:

“It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to Lefteris Drandakis, researcher and choreographer of the Greek Municipal Danceone of the most important researchers of the modern Greek tradition of dance and song.

Lefteris Drandakis, served it Greek High School for fifty-six years as artistic director, choreographer and director of unforgettable performances at the Athens Festival and at international festivals.

Originally from Rethymnon, with international appeal and high prestige, he worked systematically so that the local idioms of the Greek countryside became the common property of the Greeks and, subsequently, of the world public. Our past and our origins, he said, are the weapons to stand out in the globalized environment.

Lefteris Drandakis dedicated his life to tradition. With his open horizons, he opened ways for the rescue and dissemination of essential elements of our modern Greek identity. We thank him for his work. Condolences to his family.”

Photo from the Greek High School