Stathis Livathinos appointed new National Theater artistic director

Greek director Stathis Livathinos is set to become the Greek National Theatetr’s new artistic director. The announcement was made on Thursday following a decision by Education, Culture and Religious Affairs Minister Aristides Baltas and Alternate Culture Minister Nikos Xydakis.

Livathinos is replacing director Sotiris Hatzakis whose contract was terminated recently. According to the ministry, the reasons behind Hatzakis’s ousting included his failure to release information regarding the contracts of the company’s artistic and technical staff. He was also accused of not showing willingness to collaborate with the ministry’s new leadership following the January election.

Born in Athens, Livathinos studied acting at the Pelos Katselis Drama School, English literature at the University of Athens and directing at Moscow’s State Institute for Theatre Arts. He was the artistic director of the National Theater’s Experimental Stage from 2001-2007.