CULTURE

Honor for Vardinoyianni

It was a particularly happy and emotional moment in the life of Marianna Vardinoyianni, Greek philanthropist and citizen of the world, when French Ambassador in Athens Bruno Delaye presented her with the medal of the Legion of Honor at an official ceremony at the French Embassy in Athens this week. The honor came about in recognition of her work both at home and abroad, particularly regarding the protection of sick children and their families in her capacity as president for the Elpida Association and the Foundation for the Child and the Family. In the course of this work, she has worked closely with Anne-Ayemon Giscard D’Estaing, founder and president of the Fondation pour L’Enfance. Vardinoyianni is also honored for her work as a UNESCO goodwill ambassador, as member of the board of the Alexandria Library and the Suzanne Mubarak International Women’s Movement for Peace. Among the family members in attendance were Vardinoyanni’s husband Vardis, her children Yiannis, Giorgos, Nikos and Christiana (only Vardiana was absent). Other guests included the prime minister’s adviser Yiannis Kefaloyiannis and his wife Eleni, US Ambassador Charles Parker Reis, and Vardinoyianni’s able associates at Elpida, the association that has done so much good work in setting up a transplant unit and hostel for patients’ families and is now planning the first Children’s Oncology Hospital. A reception followed with champagne, naturally. More events are to be held in Paris to mark the award.

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