Tasso Hadjidodou

Tasso Hadjidodou

Who was Tasso Hadjidodou?

Guatemala has housed many distinguished personalities in her land, and one of them was the Greek-Belgian intellectual and cultural promoter, Tasso Hadjidodou. 

Anastasios Hadjidodu Mouchatoris, called affectionately Tasso, was born in Roncur, Lieja, Belgium, on July 9, 1921. Born from Greek parents, learned Greek and French from his mother, and later on, Flemish, German and English. As a curious fact, he spoke 8 languages, including Walloon and Spanish. During his early childhood, he got involved with literature and arts, elements that made him develop a great love for culture.    

Tasso studied Economics and Finance, but his real passions were reading and culture. In 1949, he and his wife Mariel came to Guatemala as a sort of adventure. Soon, he grew fond of Guatemala, and made this land his home, considering himself as another citizen. Then, began to work as a press attaché (a press agent) in the French Embassy in the country. In this position, he promoted Guatemalan culture and art by the creation of many organizations in favor of culture and sports; in addition, arranged plenty of festivals (Founder of History Center Festival,) congresses, workshops and seminars.  

Tasso Hadjidodou contributed to the establishment of L’Alliance Française de Guatemala (Cultural center sponsored by the French Embassy, which is known in Spanish as Alianza Francesa de Guatemala.) He supported many Guatemalan artists, athletes, journalists and writers, and occupied several positions in different institutions. Furthermore, he was appointed as Director of the Guatemala's Municipality History Center Department [Dirección del Centro Histórico de la Municipalidad de Guatemala,] and cultural advisor in the French Embassy. He also was Emeritus Director of the Olympic Academy, Member of the Urban Cultural Board, President of the Association 'Forth World,' and finally, had a section as columnist in Prensa Libre, one of the most popular newspapers in Guatemala. 

Tasso was awarded for his cultural approaches and art promotion by the Guatemalan government. Among the decorations and prizes he won, these ones can be mentioned: Orden del Soberano Congreso en Grado de Gran Cruz in 2004 (The highest decoration awarded by the Congress of Guatemala,) his name was given to the street where he used to live (Tasso Hadjidodou Alley, located at 6 avenida A and 11 calle, zona 1,) and a cafe. Also, it was made a sculpture in his honor that was placed in 'Paseo de la Sexta' [A famous pedestrian walkway in Guatemala City.]   

Tasso Hadjidodou died in Guatemala City, on November 24, 2012, at the age of 91. He was an example to Guatemalans and thanks to his efforts, culture and artists have emerged within the country and abroad. 

What are your impressions about Tasso?  Do you know any piece of information you want to share about his life? Please, leave a commment! 

See more information here:  Tasso Hadjidodou Documental Primera Generación - Tasso Hadjidodou

Tasso Hadjidodou and his sculpture (2012)

  

    

 

References

Municipalidad de Guatemala. (n.d.). Biografía de Tasso Hadjidodou. Retrieved from Municipalidad de Guatemala|: http://cultura.muniguate.com/index.php/section-blog/90-temaintesres/561-biotasso

Cerigua.org. (2012). Tasso Hadjidodou falleció esta mañana. Retrieved from Cerigua: Centro de Reportes Informativos sobre Guatemala: https://cerigua.org/article/tasso-hadjidodou-fallecio-esta-manana/

Dávila, E. (2012). Tasso Hadjidodou Documental. Retrieved from Youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBpaQ5ktHww

Embajada de Francia en Guatemala. (2012). Fallecimiento de Tasso Hadjidodou [. Retrieved from Embajada de Francia en Guatemala: http://www.ambafrance-gt.org/Fallecimiento-de-Tasso-Hadjidodou

Emisorasunidas.com. (2012). Muere Tasso Hadjidodou, legendario promotor cultural . Retrieved from Emisoras Unidas: https://emisorasunidas.com/noticias/nacionales/muere-tasso-hadjidodou-legendario-promotor-cultural/

Los Anillos . (2012). Primera Generación - Tasso Hadjidodou . Retrieved from Youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMOzewOrvo8&t=48s

Terra.com. (2012). Muere ex agregado de prensa de Francia y promotor de cultura guatemalteca. Retrieved from Entretenimiento.terra.com: http://entretenimiento.terra.com/cultura/muere-ex-agregado-de-prensa-de-francia-y-promotor-de-cultura-guatemalteca,97d60c2f6382b310VgnCLD2000000dc6eb0aRCRD.html

Wikipedia.com. (n.d.). Anastas Hadjidodu Mouchatoris. Retrieved from Wikipedia.com: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastas_Hadjidodu_Mouchatoris