Greek artists support Manolis Mitsias in artistic rights dispute

On July 26, 2026, singer Manolis Mitsias held a concert at the Ancient Theater of Dion dedicated to the works of poet Nikos Gatsos. During the performance, Mitsias was unable to sing the track "O Giannis o Fonias" due to a lack of permission from the family of composer Manos Hatzidakis, who had restricted the use of the composer’s works. Consequently, Mitsias opted to recite the lyrics rather than sing them, an act he later described as deeply sorrowful. Following the incident, prominent Greek figures including Anna Vissi, Kaiti Garbi, and actor Spyros Bibilas publicly supported Mitsias via social media, emphasizing that the public ultimately validates songs and their performers.

The controversy underscores an ongoing debate within the Greek artistic community regarding the interpretation of iconic musical works and the extent of rights holders' control over performances. While the Hatzidakis family maintains its authority over the performance rights of the late composer’s compositions, the support for Mitsias highlights a divide regarding how these masterpieces should be presented to modern audiences. As of now, the situation remains a topic of significant public and artistic discussion without formal legal proceedings announced.