The world of Literature and Arts in Greece is mourning the passing away of award-winning Greek author Vassilis Vassilikos who died today at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy that significantly marked Greek literature.

Vassilikos, recognized as one of the top 10 most translated Greek writers by UNESCO, has made a profound impact on the global literary scene. His acclaimed novel “Z” was adapted for the cinema by director Kostas Gavras, further cementing his influence beyond the written word.

Vassilikos served as Greece’s ambassador to UNESCO from 1996 to 2004 and held the position of Vice President at the Cultural Foundation of the Hellenic Society for Education and Advancement.

The Life of Vassilis Vassilikos in Brief

Born on November 18, 1934, in a district of Kavala,in northern Greece, Vassilis Vassilikos originally hailed from Thasos through his parents. He went to High School in Kavala, then later in Thessaloniki, and the American College Anatolia. Subsequently, he pursued legal studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and television directing at the Drama School – SRT of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Vassilikos’ literary contributions, with books translated into 33 languages worldwide, have garnered international acclaim. His writing style, marked by depth and insight, resonated with readers across diverse cultures.

From 1981 to 1984, he served as the Deputy Director-General of ERT (Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation) under the government of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.

Apart from his literary pursuits, Vassilikos was highly versatile as he went from assistant director in foreign productions and documentary filmmaker to scriptwriter, script editor, and screenplay presenter on Arte from 1990 to 1993. His collaboration with Nikos Koundouros in the screenplay of the film “Little Aphrodites” is a testament to his versatility.

Married to renowned soprano Vaso Papantoniou, the couple shared a daughter, adding another dimension to Vassilikos’ multifaceted life. As news of his passing reverberates through literary circles, the world mourns the loss of a distinguished figure whose contributions will endure in the pages of history.

Vassilikos was voted into the Greek Parliament on the SYRIZA ballot and served as an MP from July 2019 until May 21, 2023.