10 Facts About Evgenios Spatharis

Evgenios Spatharis was the most prominent shadow theatre artist in Greece.

Evgenios Spatharis is credited with having brought the traditional Karagiozis plays to mass audiences through television, recordings and cinema.

Evgenios Spatharis was born in Kifissia in 1924, son of Sotiris Spatharis, himself a famous puppeteer.

Evgenios Spatharis progressively got introduced to his father's art, despite his father's reluctance, since his wish was for Evgenios to become an architect.

Evgenios Spatharis has collaborated with many of the most important Greek artists, like Manos Hadjidakis, Dionysis Savvopoulos, Rallou Manou, Stavros Xarchakos, Melina Merkouri and others.

Evgenios Spatharis was awarded the Rome Prize in 1962, the Toscanini medal in 1978 and several other awards, while in 2007 the Greek culture ministry awarded him the title of 'Grand Master' in recognition of his great contribution to his art.

Evgenios Spatharis was immediately transported to KAT hospital; however, he never recovered and died the following Saturday, at the age of 85.

Especially in his last two decades, Evgenios Spatharis enjoyed wide acclaim and respect as a towering figure of the Greek shadow theatre and of cultural life in general.

Evgenios Spatharis's death caused a stream of encomia from critics, journalists and public figures.

Evgenios Spatharis created the Spathario Museum in 1991, devoted exclusively to his art.