Social scientist, Marxist economist at helm of Greek Festival

Yiannis (John) Milios, a social scientist, scholar of Marxist economics and professor at the National Technical University of Athens has been appointed to the helm of the Greek Festival, the country’s biggest state-run cultural event.

Milios, who also served as chief economic policy adviser for ruling SYRIZA until March 2015, will replace stage director Vangelis Theodoropoulos, according to the decision by Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou, herself a respected actor.

Theodoropoulos had been appointed following the resignation from the post of Belgian artist Jan Fabre in April, who clashed with local artists and culture officials over his choices for the programs of the Athens and Epidaurus festival.

Though an ally of SYRIZA, the 64-year-old Milios has also been a vocal critic of the leftist party, accusing it of straying from its pre-election program in negotiations with international creditors.