Fivos Botsis

Fivos was born and raised in Athens, Greece. A writer, translator, lawyer, and EU official, he has spent his career moving between two worlds that most people keep firmly apart: the architecture of European law and the architecture of the stage.

He holds a law degree from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2003), a Master's in International Studies from the same institution with a focus on the international protection of human rights (2005), a Master's in Public Law from the Université Paris 1Panthéon Sorbonne (2006), specialising in constitutional law, and a Master's in Arts Politics from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts (2019).

Since 2013, Fivos has served as an official of the European Union, working with the European Court of Justice (2013–2023) and, more recently, with the Council of the European Union. Before that, he practised law in Athens, collaborated with the European Parliament, and from 2009 to 2012 served as senior policy and legal advisor to Greece's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Pavlos Yeroulanos. In that role, he helped shape some of the administration's defining achievements: the new Greek film law, a national book policy, and a broader reimagining of support for the performing arts — one that sought to extend opportunity beyond established institutions, with particular attention to emerging and underprivileged artists.

His creative life has run in parallel — and at equal depth. Fivos wrote for Greek television from 2004 to 2007, and in 2008 received the National Award for Best New Playwright for Flamingos. His debut short story collection, Indigo Purple, was published in 2010 by Melani Publications to critical acclaim. His play Contact was staged at the National Theatre of Greece in 2012, and Freddie earned a special jury commendation for most innovative original play in 2017. In 2026, he received the National Award for Best Playwright for Heart Made of Cotton.

Fivos is also a literary translator. His Greek renditions of Emmanuel Bove's Armand and Andrea Franzoso's I Was a Bully were published by Kastaniotis Editions in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Philippe Jaenada's Nonchalance Is a Wonderful Thing is forthcoming from the same house in 2026-2027.

Fivos writes a regular column for the Greek daily Ta Nea, on arts politics and cultural life.

What drew you to the MA Arts Politics program?

Going back to school at this stage of my life was not an easy decision. But being a writer, lawyer and arts policy advisor, it was hard not to be tempted by this multifaceted program, that emphasizes the social and political dimension of an artist’s work. NYU Tisch, in general, and APP, in particular, is the right place for those who want to challenge their inner thought patterns, to start believing in possibilities that they wouldn’t have allowed before, to further develop their creativity in a bold and playful way. It feels great being part of this unique community of thinkers, doers and visionaries.