Marianna V. Vardinoyannis- Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur
The title of the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) of the French Republic was awarded to Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, in October 2006.
The decoration of Knight of the Legion of Honour is one of the highest honorary distinctions awarded by the French Republic to personalities of international prestige, as recognition of their significant work. Mrs. Vardinoyannis, whose humanitarian and social work is well-known in Greece and abroad, was very pleased and touched to accept this great honour.
The ceremony took place in the premises of the French Embassy, where the French Ambassador in Athens, Mr. Bruno Delaye, in the name of the President of the French Republic, awarded Mrs. Vardinoyannis and decorated her with the medal - the insignia of the Knights of the Legion of Honour.
The ceremony commenced with a speech given by the French Ambassador, who underlined that the French Republic honours Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, because she is:
- A great Greek citizen
- A great citizen of the world
- A person who shares common values with France
- A conscience and a soul, necessary as ever.
Addressing Mrs. Vardinoyannis, he also said:
"Yes, dear Marianna, you are, first of all, the personification of solidarity, that establishes the identity of your country, organises its social life and almost naturally creates great humanitarian personalities, whether in the family, the village, the island or the neighbourhood. You are indeed a great Greek lady due to your cordial devotion to issues concerning the education, peace and solidarity, health and fight against poverty, against discrimination and children exploitation, through the institutions that you have founded, through the numerous associations that you direct and through the goodwill network that you have developed here, in Greece as well as in the rest of the world. Yes, this fight is fed by your tireless efforts to help the dignity prevail over indifference and fatalism, to overcome a cumbersome and often irrational bureaucracy; you belong to the distinct few who never retreat in a fight. You are always present where help is absolutely necessary and demanded by the need of defenceless people... Thanks to your multiple activities within UNESCO, you are certainly citizen of the world, an exquisite Goodwill Ambassador with intense presence to the institutions of many international institutes, such as the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Foundation for the "Child and the Family", the "Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement", and others. Yes, due to your tireless activity, you are the personification of a worldwide needed conscience, among those who give a meaning to and implement the notion of solidarity…"
Ambassador Delaye presented Mrs Vardinoyannis' work as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador as well as President of the Friends' Association for Children with Cancer "ELPIDA" and the "Foundation for the Child and the Family" and then, he concluded: "For all these reasons, Mrs. Marianna Vardinoyannis, in the name of the President of the French Republic and on his behalf, I have the honour and pleasure to make you Knight of the Legion of Honour".
Then, Mrs. Vardinoyannis, accepting the honour, thanked the French Ambassador and expressed her profound gratitude towards the President of the French Republic, Mr. Jacques Chirac, and saying inter alia:
"I accept this title with great honour, as well as with a deep feeling of responsibility towards the history and values which this title represents; the values, which the French Republic believes in and have become the banner of the fight for peace and respect of human rights, not only for the French people but for many other nations, contributing significantly to the history of Europe and the leading role of France in the contemporary international activities. At the ‘80s, when I commenced my work by the side of children, a work, for which I initially drew my inspiration from the experience of maternity, I followed a vision: The creation of a better world for children, based on the ideals of solidarity and offer to the fellow human being, as an attitude of life. It is this vision that led me close to you today and I feel particularly excited, because a part of my work has drawn inspiration by France, its civilisation and the personalities who have devoted their lives to common ideals. I consider this night to be a significant milestone of my course. For me, this title does not simply represent an award, but a duty and an even greater commitment to proceed with my work. I also feel that this title belongs to my husband and children, thus I dedicate it to them, as they have been standing by my side, inspiring me, supporting me and sharing my visions, during all these years..."
In the reception followed, Mrs. Vardinoyannis was congratulated by all the guests. Mrs. Vardinoyannis was accompanied by her family, her husband Mr. Vardis J. Vardinoyannis, her children Mr. Yannis V. Vardinoyannis, Mrs. Christianna Vardinoyannis with her husband Mr. George Goulandris, Mr Yorgos V. Vardinoyannis with his wife Mrs. Arietta Livanos and Mr. Nikos V. Vardinoyannis.
Prominent personalities from letters as well as from politics, fine arts, business and journalism were present at the reception.
Honorary lunch in Paris
A few days after Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis’ Knighthood in the Legion of Honour of the French Republic, Mrs. Anne-Aymone Giscard d’ Estaing, wife of the former President of France, Mr. Valery Giscard d’ Estaing, held a lunch in her honour, at the Salon Pompadour of the hotel Le Meurice in Paris.
Prominent personalities from all over Europe, from letters and arts, politicians, scientists, businessmen and others were invited and present.
Among them: the former President of France, Mr. Valery Giscard d’ Estaing, H.R.H. Princess Isabel of Liechtenstein, H.R.H. Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia, the Greek Ambassador in France, Mr. Dimitris Paraskevopoulos, the Greek Ambassador of UNESCO, Mr. George Anastasopoulos, Mrs. Rodi Kratsas -Member of the European Parliament, the President of the Palace of Versailles, Mrs. Christine Albanel, Mr. Jacques Arveler, Mrs. Nana Mouschouri, Mr. Jean-Michel Jarre and his wife Mrs. Anne Parillault, Mr. Jean-Louis Scherrer, Mrs. Takako Matsuura –wife of the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. and Mrs. George Goulandris, Mr. and Mrs. Yorgis V. Vardinoyannis, Mr Nikos Vardinoyannis and Ms. Alexia Antsaklis, and others.
- 2011
- There is HOPE!
- Cultural Heritage - Climate Change - The teacher's role - Presentation of the book "The country of two suns"
- International Women's Day - The Educational Institute AKMI IVT honours Marianna V. Vardinoyannis.
- The "Pancretan Association of Athens" honours Marianna V. Vardinoyannis.
- Marianna V. Vardinoyannis "Woman of the year 2011".
- Excellence Awards, Greeks who are Role Models for the New Generation.
- Presentation of the Greek publication of Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis' book "Labouring with the Challenges of Female Identity: Insights into Minoan Society".
- 2010
- Presentation of the book "Labouring with the challenges of female identity: Insights into the Minoan society" at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
- The Global Forum against human trafficking.
- Marianna V. Vardinoyannis - ELPIDA Children's Oncology Unit.
- Makistos smiles again!
- 83000 signatures for the "1GOAL: Education for All" campaign.
- 10th Annual Meeting of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors
- An event for the "1GOAL: Education for All" campaign.
- International campaign supporting Greece.
- The international "1GOAL: Education for All" campaign.
- First meeting of the Friends of the Aswan Heart Centre.
- 2009
- Global Campaign for the Climate Justice.
- Inauguration of the new Acropolis Museum.
- Declaration of the International Conference "Climate Change and Challenges for the Future Generations".
- International Conference "Climate Change and Challenges for the Future Generations".
- International Conference «Crossing Borders to Protect the Children of the World» and the Cairo Declaration.
- International Conference in Bahrain "Human Trafficking at the Crossroads of East- West" and the Manama Declaration.
- Summer Deaflympics - Athens 2013.
- 2008
- The Vienna Forum against human trafficking.
- Mothers - Olympic Champions of Love.
- Universal call for the Climate Change.
- The 4th Global Youth Employment Summit on the fight against poverty and unemployment, in Azerbaijan and the Baku Declaration.
- The appeal of Ancient Olympia.
- The “Alexandria Center for Hellenistic Studies” in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
- Marianna V. Vardinoyannis "Great Lady of the Patriarchal Throne of Alexandria".
- 2007
- 2nd Workshop on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts.
- The Chart of Paris against cancer.
- The first Oncological Hospital for children in Greece.
- Lecture of the H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak in Athens, Greece.
- Fairuz Concert in Athens, Greece.
- International Youth Forum for Peace in Sharm El Sheikh.
- Global Humanitarian Forum.
- Makistos smiles again.
- 2006
- Round Table " The Business Community against Human Trafficking".
- Fundraising Dinner to support the “End Human Trafficking Now” global campaign.
- The "Athens Principles" in Davos.
- International Center for Peace Studies.
- Protecting youth from drugs.
- The Multicultural Children Centre “Athina” in Belgrade.
- 1st Workshop on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts.
- Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur.
- 2005
- Helping the children of Palestine- Fundraising dinner in Cairo.
- The UN Millennium Development Goals and Civil Society.
- The Declaration of 22 Greek organisations on the UN Millennium Development Goals.
- 2004
- Exhibition of Traditional and Contemporary Handicrafts from Jordan.
- International Conference “Women in the Service of Peace” in Paris.
- International Conference “Women defending Peace” in Geneva.
- 2003
- 2nd European Conference of Legal Practitioners on juvenile matters.
- Exhibition "Breaking the Veils", Exhibition of women artists from the Islamic World, at UNESCO.
- Exhibition “The Unity of an Unique Monument: the Parthenon”, at UNESCO.
- The Mentor Awards.
- Awards to mothers.
- 2002
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina. A wonder of the modern world.
- Mother: A Symbol of life, hope and peace.
- Speak Truth to Power: Human Rights Defenders who change our world.
- Contemporary Societies - Multicultural Co-existence- The position of the child.
- The protection of the World Cultural nad Natural Heritage.
- 2001
- The child: victim of war and messenger of peace.
- 2000
- A Model Area for creative activities in the Municipality of Ano Liosia.
- Mother: A Symbol of life, hope and peace.
- Children: Symbol of hope, will, courage.
- The Meeting of Athens and Delphi on Children and Peace.
- The Declaration of Delphi on Children and Peace.
- 1st International Conference for the Culture of Peace.
- Early Childhood Resource and Training Center in Bethlehem.
- 1999
- By the side of mothers and children behind bars.
- Juvenile disappearance and abduction.
- The Hague Appeal for Peace.
- International Conference “Family and Children in the European society of the 21st Century” in Paris.
- Support for the children - victims of war in the Balkans.
- By the side of the earthquake victims.
- International Conference “Sexual abuse of children and paedophilia in the Internet”.
- 1998
- A three-point shot for a life.
- European Forum "FAMILY - EUROPE - 21ST CENTURY: Vision and Institutions".
- Family and the mass media.
- Presentation of the Minutes of the European Forum "FAMILY - EUROPE - 21ST CENTURY: Vision and Institutions"
- 1997
- International Conference “Priority to the Dignity and Safety of the children in Europe”.
- By the side of the children of Xanthi.
- Embracing children suffering from AIDS.
- The International Convention on Children's Rights and the role of the European Union.