​Melina Mercouri​​​ was the woman who left her seal on the Hellenic Ministry of Cultureduring the 80's. Melina Mercouri, a world-famous actress, brave fighter of theresistance movement against the military regime (1967-1974), politician of anenormous radiance in Greece and abroad, Minister of Culture for eight and ahalf years (1981-1989 and October 1993-March 6, 1994). Still, above all she wasa great Greek, a woman that was cherished and passionately loved by the Greekpeople. By usingher own splendor and glamour, Melina Mercouri managed to make Culture part ofthe everyday lives of the Greek people, a front-page story in the newspapersand big news in radio and television. 

During her years of office at theMinistry she raised the issue for the return of the Parthenon's marbles kept inthe British Museum in London, to their rightful place, the Acropolis Museum.The Parthenon's marbles are the masterpieces that were stolen back in thebeginning of 19th century by Lord Elgin, then the British ambassador toConstantinople (Istanbul), who mutilated the most resplendent monument ofantiquity. 

Aware of the fact that the existing Acropolis Museum had not enoughspace to exhibit the marbles, Melina Mercouri started procedures for theconstruction of a new Museum that would operate keeping its most beautiful,most splendid room empty, awaiting for the marbles' return to Greece, the landthat gave birth to them. Moreover, it was she who visioned the creation of asubstantial cultural institution, the "Cultural Capital of Europe". Theinstitution which was inaugurated ten years ago from Athens, is -up to now- thefirst and only event that culturally unites European countries. Melina Mercouriwas the one who had said "Culture is Greece's heavy industry" andmanaged to make everyone amply aware of this. The Melina Mercouri Foundation,which was founded by her husband Jules Dassin after her death, keeps MelinaMercouri's visions alive.