An evening of art, culture and solidarity was organised by the ELPIDA Association of Friends of Children with Cancer, titled “The Children are the Hope for the future”, on Saturday 22 February 2020, in the Auditorium of the Athens College.
The College Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by the Choir of the High Schools and Lyceums of the Athens College – Psychico College and the Quinteto TANGartO joined forces to give a wonderful concert that dazzled the audience, sending a powerful message that all together we can stand by the children with cancer.
The President of the Association of Friends of Children with Cancer “ELPIDA,” Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, touched by the support of the younger generation, in her speech warmly thanked the Management and the students and teachers of the College for their ongoing support of the work of ELPIDA: “We share the pride of witnessing the younger generation of our country forming a long chain of love for the children of ELPIDA. Pride for the students participating in the event tonight, who have put in their valuable and hard-to-find free time from their studies, for rehearsals and preparations. To achieve Excellence! To give an exceptional performance for us tonight. To give their best. And it is not just this event. It is a multitude of initiatives starting from this school community, with the goal of improving the daily life of the children of ELPIDA. For us, the support of the College is priceless”.
In fact, in recognition of the College’s ongoing and constant support of the work of ELPIDA, Mrs Vardinoyannis awarded to the President of the Board of the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation, Mr Nikos Tsavliris, the Honorary Plaque of the Association.
Mr Tsavliris thanked Mrs Vardinoyannis for the great honour and in turn offered her an icon of the Virgin Mary and commented: “This event, organised for the third time at the College, is important because it has a special message to convey, combining art with social contribution. In the College, such a combination is a long-term tradition”.
In addressing Mrs Vardinoyannis, as a member of the Association of the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation and the broader family of the college, Mr. Tsavliris noted that the College is especially proud of her and the valuable services she has been offering all these years through the ELPIDA Association.
A short address during the event was addressed by the Regional Governor of Attica, Mr Giorgos Patoulis. Speaking as a doctor and President of the Athens Medical Association, he underlined: “Our country has nothing to be jealous of when it comes to hospitals abroad. Our children can now be saved in Greece and this is thanks to Marianna Vardinoyannis, with her persistence and patience”. He continued by congratulating the students of the College who participated in the event, calling them the hope for the future.
Particularly touching was also the moment when students of the Athens College offered Mrs Vardinoyannis a symbolic gift, commemorative of the support of the younger generation.
During the musical performance, the audience enjoyed works of Carlos Gardel, Astor Piazzola, Rosito Melo, Jacob Gade and Manos Hatzidakis. Mr Dimitris Papagiannakis was the conductor and the Choirs of the High Schools and Lyceums of the Athens College and Psychico College were instructed by Eleftheria Vorria, Maria Komisopoulou and Stefanos Tsokakis. Mrs Natalia Kadzia sang, and the arrangements were by Mr Thomas Kontogeorgis.
The meeting was attended by members of the Board of the ELPIDA Association, the Vice-president of the Board of the Hellenic-American Educational Institute, Mrs Annika Papantoniou, its members Sergios Ampariotis and Alexandros Kamarinos as well as Dimitris Karamanos, member of the Association of HAEF and Advisor to the Chairman of the Board, the President of the Athens College, Mr Richard Jackson, the Co-Director of the Athens College and Coordinator of the Schools of the HAEF, Mr Apostolos Athanasopoulos and the other management members of the Athens College and Psychico College, the President of the Association of the College Alumni, Konstantinos Papadiamantis, the Director of Communication, Marketing and Public Relations of the School, Mrs Alexandra Aivalioti, the President of the Hellenic Red Cross, Mr Antonios Avgerinos, the economist Mr Alexandros Moraitakis, Mrs Ileana Kokloni from the National Olympic Academy, and professor Mr Stelios Grafakos.
The event was presented by the journalist of STAR Channel, Mrs Rania Tragomallou.
The Association of Friends of Children with Cancer “ELPIDA” would like to sincerely thank the sponsors of the event: SCOURAS MED, GREEK BIO STORE, TSAKOS GROUP, IASO, AIGEAS AMKE, PETRIDIS LV and the Fresh pastry shops.
Proceeds from the concert will go towards the Association of Friends of Children with Cancer ELPIDA.