Melina Mercouri was more than an actress or a public figure — she was a driving force behind the recognition of culture as a political priority in the EU. In this episode, we explore her groundbreaking work as Greece’s Minister for Culture, from launching the European Capitals of Culture initiative to forging cultural ties across borders during the Cold War. We also look back on her outspoken resistance against the Greek military junta, which led to her becoming a symbol of democratic values and cultural freedom — a legacy that still resonates to this day.