In the context of the 70th anniversary of its foundation, the Friends of Music Association honored its oldest living member and one of the pioneers of the Megaron, the evergreen journalist Mr. Yannis Marinos.

The event took place at the club’s premises at Megaron on Tuesday, April 25, specifically at the “Giannis Marinos Hall” which was renamed in his honor by Friends of Music.

“Since 1984, Yannis Marinos, a unique personality in the field of journalism and culture, has contributed decisively to the pursuit of all our statutory aims, with the first being the construction of the Athens Concert Hall and the creation of our music library, Lilian Voudouri”, said, among others, the president of the Association, Mr. Panos Dimaras.

“Since its establishment under Christos Lambrakis and Vice President over the last 15 years, Yannis Marinos has defined with his wisdom and vast experience all the achievements of the Megaron of Music,” said the president of the Megaron, Mr. Nikos Pimplis.

As a living legend of journalism, which he sealed as director for 30 years of the Financial Postman, teacher of younger people, and columnist in VIMA, Yannis Marino was characterized by the president of ESIEA, Ms. Maria Antoniadou. Professor of Panteion University and journalist and writer Mr. Nikos Bakounakis referred in turn to experiences he shared with the veteran journalist and then developed the issue of “journalism and criticism.”

At the end of the speeches, the president of the association, Mr. Panos Dimaras, presented Mr. Yiannis Marino with an honorary plaque for his contribution, and the director of the association, Mr. Alexandros Charkiolakis, handed him a commemorative card with the wishes and signatures of all the employees of the association.

Moved, Mr. Yiannis Marinos thanked all the speakers for their kind words and the many guests who honored him with their presence. “As a journalist, I have tried to respond conscientiously and honestly to this high office. And I’m trying even now with my weekly article on the rostrum,” he pointed out in concluding his speech.

The event ended with a concert presented in the packed “Giannis Marinos Hall” by chamber music ensembles of Camerata Junior, the Youth Orchestra of the Friends of Music, with works by Hermann, Granados, and Saint Saens.

Biography of Giannis Marinos

Giannis Marinos was born in Ermoupoli, Syros, in 1930. He holds a degree from the Law School of the University of Athens and an honorary doctorate from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Since 1953, initially as a financial editor and then a regular columnist in Vima until today, and for three years in the news under the pseudonym Popolaros. From 1954, I was editor, then editor-in-chief, and from 1963, director and columnist of the Financial Post for 34 years.

He has been awarded for his journalistic contribution by the Academy of Athens, the UN, the Union of European Journalists, the Commission of the European Union, and 20 other organizations and bodies. On a journalistic mission, he has traveled to 50 countries. From 1999 to 2004, he was an MEP for the European People’s Party.

He has delivered speeches independently or at conferences throughout Greece and abroad, such as at the London School of Economics in London, Harvard and MIT universities in Boston, Princeton and George Washington universities, and the International Monetary Fund.

Papazisis published his books “The University Problem and Cyprus”, “For a Change to the Better,”, “Common Sense”, “Let Us Beware,” and “Patakis” Karamanlis-Andreas Papandreou-Florakis”. under the issue “Adventure in the Pacific Ocean”.

He has been a member of the administrative council for more than twenty years and has been the General Secretary of the Friends of Music Association and Vice President of the Athens Concert Hall.

As of late 1995, the International Who’s Who listed him among “the most gifted and influential contemporary figures, recognized for their work on a global scale”.