The City Council of Mons in Belgium decided to give the name of Melina Merkouri to a central avenue to honour the deceased Greek Culture Minister and great actress, who launched the institution of Cultural Capitals of Europe in 1983.

Mons will be the Cultural Capital of Europe for 2015, according to Melina Merkouri Institute.

Melina Merkouri was Minister of Culture during the period 1981-1989 and 1993-1994 undertaking the initiative for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles and promoting Greek culture in Greece and abroad.

She passed away on March 6, 1994.