In a deeply emotional atmosphere, the memorial event marking one year since the passing of Vardis I. Vardinogiannis was held on Tuesday at the Athens Megaron Concert Hall. Through this event, his family honoured the life, work and multifaceted legacy of the emblematic businessman and Greek benefactor.

Among those present were H.E. the President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas and his wife Fani Stathopoulou, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Grabowski, His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos, the Leader of the Official Opposition Nikos Androulakis, the Speaker of Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, former Presidents of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prokopis Pavlopoulos, former Prime Ministers Kostas Karamanlis, Panagiotis Pikrammenos and Alexis Tsipras, political leaders, the entire leadership of the Armed Forces, ministers, MPs, distinguished businesspeople, public figures, as well as executives and employees of the Motor Oil Group.

The event was opened by the President of Motor Oil Group, Mr Yiannis V. Vardinogiannis, who stated, among other things:
“Today we honour the memory of a remarkable man, a true Cretan who loved above all his homeland. A patriotic Greek who served the Hellenic Navy with honour. His discipline, perseverance and devotion to duty accompanied him throughout his life. After the Navy, he dedicated himself to the business struggle, working tirelessly with vision and prudence.”
He continued: “He never sought publicity, but saw entrepreneurship as a responsibility. Behind every success, however, there was his humanity. He always helped discreetly, spontaneously, without many words. For him, offering to one’s fellow human being and to the homeland was a duty of the soul. As his son, I feel deep gratitude and pride. He was and remains for me a role model in life.”

A greeting was delivered by the President of the Republic, Mr Konstantinos Tasoulas, who emphasised:
“The stature, prestige and reach of a powerful person are judged by the hand they extend to the weak. Vardis I. Vardinogiannis knew all this, just as he knew that offering should not be ostentatious, but simple. In every case, with humility and seriousness. He also believed that concern for the homeland is inseparably linked with care for one’s neighbour.”

His life journey and the facets of his personality were unfolded in a unique way. Vardis I. Vardinogiannis was portrayed as: the Cretan, the Naval Officer, the Businessman, the Benefactor, the Father, the Human Being.

The artistic direction and staging of the event were signed by director Giorgos Nanouris, with narration by actor Dimitris Lalos.

Particularly symbolic was the participation of the Hellenic Navy band, which paid tribute to Honorary Vice Admiral Vardis I. Vardinogiannis, the Cretan tradition expressed through performances by Vasilis Skoulas and Nektarios Bouhlis, as well as the Cretan Traditional Costume Association. Testimonies by personalities connected to his life and work, from the Church, arts, sciences, the Navy, business, from Crete and the international scene, illuminated his multifaceted path.

The event concluded in an atmosphere of profound emotion, highlighting the indelible legacy, humanitarian spirit and work of a great Greek who left a strong mark on the country’s business, economic and social life.

View photos:

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with his wife Mareva Grabowski Mitsotaki with Yiannis and Christiana Vardinogiannis

Former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis with his wife Natassa Pazaïti

Businessman Dimitris Melissanidis

Minister of Labour Niki Kerameos

Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris

Former President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and PASOK President Nikos Androulakis

From left: Milena Apostolaki, Nikitas Kaklamanis, Dimitris Avramopoulos, Nicos Anastasiades, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Apostolos Tzitzikostas

KKE MP Liana Kanelli

Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Vasilis Kikilias

Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni and businessman Dimitris Melissanidis

ND MEP Stelios Kympouropoulos

ND MP Dimitris Avramopoulos

Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias

European Commissioner for Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas with Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis

Alexis Tsipras and Yiannis Vardinogiannis

PASOK President Nikos Androulakis

Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras with his partner Betty Baziana

Speaker of Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis with former President of the Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos

Nicos Anastasiades with his wife, Ioannis Vardinogiannis, Archbishop Ieronymos and Christiana Vardinogiannis

Vangelis Marinakis and Yiannis Vardinogiannis

Pavlos de Grece with his mother Anna Maria and Yiannis Vardinogiannis with Christiana Vardinogiannis

Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Yiannis Vardinogiannis

Kostis Hatzidakis, Kostas Karamanlis, Natassa Pazaïti, Alexis Tsipras, Peristera Baziana

President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas with Yiannis Vardinogiannis

Panos Kammenos with his wife Eleni Tzouli

Kostas Bakoyannis and Dora Bakoyannis

PASOK MP Pavlos Geroulanos

ND MP Christos Staikouras

Minister for Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis

Nikitas Kaklamanis and Archbishop Ieronymos

Stavros Papastavrou and Adonis Georgiadis