Vassilis Vassilikos: Internationally acclaimed Greek author passes away

Internationally acclaimed and widely translated Greek author Vassilis Vassilikos, a former MP and Ambassador of Greece to UNESCO, passed away at the age of 89 it was announced on Thursday.

Vassilikos was one of Greece’s most prolific writers, who published more than 100 works of literature, including novels, plays and poetry and his works were widely translated in many languages.

, the award-winning Vassilikos

He was best known for the political novel ‘Z‘, which was translated into 32 languages and later adapted as the award-winning film ‘Z’ directed by Costas-Gavras and with music of Mikis Theodorakis.

Due to his political activities he was forced into exile for seven years, following the coup of 1967.

From 1981 to 1984, he served as the director of the Greek state television channel and served as Greece’s ambassador to UNESCO since 1996.

Vassilis Vassilikos was elected an MP of left-wing SYRIZA in 2019.