A strong international message about the dangers of climate change and the need to protect the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean was sent by prominent figures from Greece and abroad, during the 20th High Level Meeting of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, held in Athens from the 20th to the 23rd of January 2020, at the initiative of the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis” Foundation.

Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, President of the Foundation with her name, and founding member of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, with the Center’s Co Chair,

International Scientific Conference “Thermopylae and Salamis: Assessing Their Importance in the Modern World” – Θερμοπύλες – Σαλαμίνα 2020

The events of the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation for the 2500 year anniversary of the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis were kicked off with an international scientific conference, attended by the President of the Hellenic Republic Mr Prokopiοs Pavlopoulos and top academics from the world’s largest universities, on Monday, 20 January, 2020, at the Stavros Niarchos Hall of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Culture Center.

International Scientific Conference “Thermopylae and Salamis: Assessing Their Importance in the Modern World”

An important event to promote reading and equal access to education was held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, on Saturday, 18 January 2020, with the support of the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis” Foundation

The event was organised in the context of the “Reading Night”, a global annual event launched in 2017 and already being organised in 32 countries across the world.

It entails a number of activities organised by international organisations, schools, libraries and agencies across the world, aiming to promote reading and disseminate the messages of humanitarianism and solidarity which are conveyed through books.

Goodwill Ambassador, Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis met with the Director-General of UNESCO, Mrs Audrey Azoulay, on Saturday, 18 January 2020, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris.

Mrs Vardinoyannis and Mrs Azoulay, had a substantial and constructive discussion on national matters of cultural heritage, which are a key priority for Mrs Vardinoyannis in the framework of her duties as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Mrs Vardinoyannis informed the Director-General of UNESCO about important matters of our country, and Mrs Azoulay’s response was highly positive.

“Marianna V. Vardinoyannis” Foundation cooperation with Athens College – Θερμοπύλες – Σαλαμίνα 2020

A Memorandum of Cooperation, in the context of the “Salamis – Thermopylae 2020” Anniversary Year was signed between the Administration and Management of the Athens College and the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis” Foundation.

The President of the Honorary Committee for the “Salamis – Thermopylae 2020” Anniversary Year, Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, on Friday, 17 January 2020, met with the Chairman of the Board of the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation, Mr Nikos Tsavliris and the President of the Athens College,

It was the younger generation, and specifically the students of the Primary Schools of the entire country, which Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, President of the foundation with her name and President of the Honorary Committee of the “Thermopylae – Salamis 2020” Anniversary Year, chose to launch the activities and events of the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis” Foundation for the Anniversary of the 2500 years from the Battles of Thermopylae and Salamis.

With this highly symbolic move, the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis” Foundation launches its activities with the Panhellenic Art Competition for Primary school children,

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Marianna V. Vardinoyannis visited the Cultural Center of the Holy Metropolis of Nikaia on Friday 20 December 2019, during a Christmas food distribution event, to be there for our fellow citizens in need.

During a wonderful event that filled the hearts of the residents of Nikaia with hope and warmth, the Reverend Metropolitan of Nikaia Alexios welcomed Mrs Vardinoyannis, thanked her for her presence and continuous support, and gave her an icon of the Virgin Mary.  “Your presence here is an expression of love and hope and we thank you warmly. 

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Marianna V. Vardinoyannis attended the beautiful Christmas pageant put on by the children of the Agios Nikolaos Nursery School of Ano Liossia, on Friday, 20 December 2019.

Dressed as little angels, drummer boys, Santa Clauses and little stars, the young students welcomed Mrs Vardinoyannis by singing Christmas carols, creating a special atmosphere.

The Nursery School, which was a donation of the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation in the wake of the 1999 earthquakes, was filled with love, warmth and hope.

Once again, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis opened her embrace for the residents of Mandra, when she visited Mandra, Attica, on Thursday, 19 December 2019.

Early in the morning, Mrs Vardinoyannis visited the 2nd Nursery School of Mandra, which had been fully renovated by Motor Oil after the 2017 floods. Happy children’s voices singing ‘Jingle Bells’ welcomed Mrs Vardinoyannis in the bright and colourful nursery school.

“My dear children, I am very happy to be here with you today.

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Marianna V. Vardinoyannis offered affection and warmth to children of underprivileged families and the homeless of the Municipality of Nikaia – Agios Ioannis Rentis.  On Tuesday, 17 December 2019, Mrs Vardinoyannis opened her arms to embrace our fellow citizens in need and visited the Social Structures for the Support of the Homeless of the UNESCO Club for Piraeus and the Islands.

She arrived at the centre early in the morning to visit with the children and wish them all the best for the holidays, speaking to them from the heart: