Today, the ‘Routes of the Olive Tree’ are mourning. Vassilis Vassilikos, a man who left an indelible mark on the international cultural landscape with his work, is no longer with us. A versatile, recognized, award-winning, valuable man, Vassilis Vassilikos managed to imprint his century indelibly in a single letter: Ζ. An explosion of literature. An explosion of democracy. It was Vassilis Vassilikos who magnificently opened the gates of UNESCO for the ‘Routes of the Olive Tree’, bringing the Mediterranean and the olive tree to the forefront.
Vassilis Vassilikos, Honorary President of the “Routes of the Olive Tree”, was an intellectual, a visionary and a man who showed us the value of intercultural dialogue as a one-way street for peace and sustainable development. A multi-talented writer, he wrote more than 70 books in various genres and subjects, which were translated into 33 languages and some of them became the basis for famous films, such as Kostas Gavras’ Oscar-winning ‘Z’.
He was actively involved in politics, television and culture, and did not hesitate to tackle difficult issues such as globalisation, immigration, terrorism, ecology and human nature. Through his books, he showed us the complexity and interdependence of the world and the need to keep an open and critical mind. Among his works, ‘The Third World War’, written in 2003, predicted future conflicts and crises.
The gap he leaves is insurmountable, but his lessons and legacy will remain alive in the “Routes of the Olive Tree” and to all of us who were fortunate enough to know him.
We express our sincere condolences to his family.
