Through a highly symbolic visit on Tuesday 21 August to the Lyreio Children’s Institution, which was completely destroyed by the recent deadly fires in Eastern Attica, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis confirmed her personal commitment, as well as that of her family, to support, in every possible way, the victims and the areas devastated by fire.

On her visit, Mrs Vardinoyannis was accompanied by the wife of the President of the Republic, Mrs. Sissy Pavlopoulou, who also showed, from the very first moment, her interest in restoring the damage suffered by the Lyreio Institution.

At a modest but symbolic ceremony at the Town Hall of Ermioni, and in the presence of the President of the Republic, Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos, the first “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Cultural Awards” were awarded on Saturday, 4 August 2018.

The Municipality of Ermionida, recognizing the vast contribution of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis both to Culture as well as Humanity, decided to establish this annual tradition starting this year whereby persons or institutions will be honoured who, through their activities,

The Hellenic Initiative is pleased to announce that Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis has joined the organization’s Board of Directors serving also on its Executive Committee. The longstanding commitment of Mrs. Vardinoyannis to enhance and change the lives of those in need through the “ELPIDA” Association of Friends of Children with cancer and through the Bone Marrow Donor Registry “ORAMA ELPIDAS”, presents a profoundly inspiring initiative, demonstrating that through determination and power of will there are no limits to what philanthropy can achieve.

One of the primary commitments of THI has always been crisis relief, primarily when the adverse effects of the crisis disproportionately target children.

The meaning of our national identity and the challenges Greek society faces inside a complex international environment were the topics of reflection of the important thinkers, academics but also athletes who took part in the one-day Conference called “Greece in the Modern World: National Identity and the Challenges of the 21st Century”, organised by the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation in cooperation with the Panhellenic Women’s Organisation “Panathinaiki”, under the auspices of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, on Thursday 21 June, at the Amphitheatre of the Acropolis Museum.

On Thursday 19 April, in the presence of 935 pupils and 200 teachers from 17 Arsakeia Schools and 10 other schools from other parts of Greece, the 6th Panarsakeiako Student Congress opened its proceedings, with the title: “In a changing world: the right to education and the teaching of human rights.”

The Conference was declared open by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, who stood beside the pupils, spoke with them and was informed in detail about the proceedings of the Congress.

The Congress takes place at the Arsakeia-Tositseia Schools in Ekali,