Sorrow has been spread by the loss of the former mayor of Thessaloniki, Yiannis Boutaris at the age of 82. The representatives of the political and sports world referred to his work and personality in their statements, speaking of an unconventional and daring politician.
Katerina Sakkelaropoulou: “Multi-faceted, restless, unconventional
With a long post, the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, commented on the loss of Yannis Boutaris.
“Multi-faceted, restless, unconventional. Business genius, bold, tireless. Politically active, progressive, deeply democratic. One of the most groundbreaking mayors in the history of local government. And above all, a person in constant conversation with himself, able to evaluate him objectively or even harshly at times, without being afraid to face his mistakes, weaknesses, shortcomings, fears, without blinding himself, without self-delusion . He was the winemaker who saw the winemaking process, the journey from the vine to the wine, as a metaphor for his life, as an example of living. A man of profound self-awareness who radiated self-respect and self-confidence, which is why he exerted such a positive influence, if not charm, on those around him.
“Yiannis Boutaris, Mayor of Thessaloniki for two terms, believed in the “diplomacy of cities” and envisioned a Thessaloniki center for university studies and the provision of medical services. Seeking to wrest the city from folding in on itself and give it back something of its old cosmopolitan character, he made it internationally recognizable. With his initiative for the creation of a Memorial Park in Eleftheria Square as the end of a commemorative axis that will connect it with the Holocaust Museum under construction, he wanted to highlight the uniqueness of the city’s Jewish history, to “turn silence into speech”. And at the same time to recall the rich multicultural past of this once bustling port, which was the center of the Balkans, a European metropolis, a place of synthesis and not separation.
“Such a Mayor was bound to be challenged, but also to inspire. I say goodbye to him with deep emotion and sadness as a tireless active citizen, a courageous man, a very dear friend.
Mitsotakis: “A citizen of everyday life”
“Thessaloniki, Northern Greece and the whole country say goodbye to a special personality”, says Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his condolence message for the loss of Yiannis Boutaris.
“Yiannis Boutaris was not only a visionary mayor of his beloved city. Not only an iconic entrepreneur and pioneer of ecology as the founder of “Arkturos”. Above all he was a worthy citizen. And an “eupatridis of everyday life”.
A warm person, who knew how to bravely face and overcome problems. And, at the same time, to adore art, open like an eternal teenager to all youth currents. His presence was identified, thus, both with polite behavior and with radical thinking.
I am proud that he honored me with his friendship, as his spirit always remained far from the prison of dogmas and complexes. This is what I found out in our last, unfortunately, meeting, just before the last elections, when he hosted me at his famous winery.
I have kept the peace in his smile ever since. The spark in his eyes. And the calm in his words. This is how he will be remembered by those who knew him. But even those who didn’t happen to meet him in person, will surely keep him in their memory like this. Because, indeed, Mr. John had a special radiance that will last…
My sincere condolences to his family”, concludes the Prime Minister in his message.
Androulakis: “It brought a change in the history and identity of the city”
The president of PASOK-Movement of Change, Nikos Androulakis, expressed his sincere condolences for the death of Yannis Boutaris.
Mr. Androulakis said:
“Yiannis Boutaris, versatile, unconventional and creative, gave all his strength for a progressive, open, lively and outgoing Thessaloniki.
His loss is great for the city he loved, for the wine production of our country and for its people who loved him and called him simply “Mr. John”.
Yiannis Boutaris honored and justified the trust of the citizens of Thessaloniki, civil society, PASOK and those who supported his candidacy, which brought about a change in the history and identity of the city.
I express my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”
SYRIZA: “Adolescent and anti-systemic spirit”
A profoundly progressive man, Yiannis Boutaris, left us having left his mark on the memory of the people who met him and associated with him. The generations to come will also have the opportunity to get to know his adolescent and anti-systemic spirit, through the history of the city of Thessaloniki to which he now belongs.
SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance bids him a respectful farewell.
Condolences to his family, loved ones and associates.
KKE: “He left his special mark”
“The KKE expresses its condolences to the family of Yiannis Boutaris, for a number of years the mayor of Thessaloniki, who in the field of local administration and not only left his own special mark”, says a statement from the party.
Tzitzikostas: “A man with an open heart and philanthropy, he touched us with his authenticity”
“It is with great sadness that I bid farewell to Yannis Boutaris, a great man and dear friend, who with his strength, dedication and passion left an indelible mark on Thessaloniki, which he loved so much”, emphasizes the regional governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, in his statement on the death of the former mayor of Thessaloniki, who passed away yesterday, aged 82 years old.
“Mr. Yiannis, in addition to being an innovative and daring businessman and Mayor, was a man with an open heart and honor who touched us with his character and authenticity”, notes Mr. Tzitzikostas, expressing his condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased.
Angeloudis: “Yiannis Boutaris gave Thessaloniki hope and confidence”
“Yiannis Boutaris, the man who left his mark on Thessaloniki as little as possible, is no longer with us. He was the bold visionary who fought with all his might to bring the city back into contact with its rich multicultural, colorful and cosmopolitan past, he dared transcendences and reversals, he clashed with established attitudes and interests, he promoted extroversion, he gave the city hope and self-confidence”, says the mayor of Thessaloniki, Stelios, in his post Angeloudis, for the loss of Yiannis Boutaris at the age of 82.
Mr. Angeloudis characterizes Yiannis Boutaris as “a friend, unconventional and heretic, a free man, he did not obey the conventional rules: He lived as he wanted, many lives in one. I say goodbye to him with feelings of sadness and pain and I thank him for showing us the path we must follow to win the Thessaloniki we deserve and deserve. “From life to death a cigarette is the way” Melina Merkouri used to say. And Giannis enjoyed this cigarette until the last puff. Have a nice trip…”
Faction Thessaloniki For All: “He gave value and light to his beloved Thessaloniki”
With unspeakable pain, the municipal faction “Thessaloniki For All” says goodbye to its municipal councilor, the former mayor of Thessaloniki, Yiannis Boutaris.
In a statement it is emphasized that “Kir-Yiannis inspired, encouraged and enriched with his personal participation the recent attempt of Spyros Pegas, as head, but also of the many notable people who surrounded him, to claim the administration of the municipality of Thessaloniki in the last municipal elections ».
It is also added that his presence in the municipal seats with Thessaloniki For All “was his last political act. We will cherish her forever. Kyr-Yiannis gave value and light to his beloved Thessaloniki. His own light continues to guide Thessaloniki For All, but also each and every one of us individually. Kyr-Yiannis, rejoice.”
In the same announcement, it is stated that the faction recommends the immediate naming of the Thessaloniki City Council Hall as the “Yiannis Boutaris” Hall and the initiation of the procedures for the naming of a street in the city of Thessaloniki to Yannis Boutaris Street, Mayor of Thessaloniki 2011-2019.
KAE Aris: “Blood donor to the “golden” team of Aris, his offer is invaluable”
KAE Aris Midea expresses its deep condolences and sorrow for the death of Yannis Boutaris.
As the “yellow and black” emphasize in a related announcement, “the deceased was for many years a “blood donor” to the “golden” team of ARIS and his contribution to the club was invaluable. Giannis Boutaris was also the mayor of Thessaloniki. His loss leaves ARIS’s family poorer. We express our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”
PAEK PAOK: “Although there was an opponent…”
In its post, PAOK PAOK expressed its condolences for the death of Yannis Boutaris, stressing that he left a big mark on the entrepreneurship, sports and culture of Thessaloniki. At the same time, he mentions that he showed respect to the team throughout his tenure as mayor.
“PAE PAOK expresses its sincere condolences to the family and relatives of Yannis Boutaris, a man with a great impact on the sports, culture and entrepreneurship of Thessaloniki, of which he was also Mayor.
“Even though he was an opponent, he showed great respect to our team throughout his tenure.
Let the soil that will cover him be light…”.
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