A memorial event was held at the Athens Megaron Concert Hall to commemorate one year since the passing of Greek oil and shipping businessman, Vardis I. Vardinogiannis, honoring his life and legacy.
In a deeply emotional atmosphere, the memorial event marking one year since the passing of Vardis I. Vardinogiannis was held on Tuesday, November 25 at the Athens Megaron Concert Hall. Through this event, his family honoured the life, work and multifaceted legacy of the emblematic businessman and Greek benefactor.
The Greek shipowner, Vardinogiannis, who left his mark on the economic and social life of the country passed away on November 12, 2024.
Vardinogiannis and his relatives have spread their net worldwide with the control of numerous successful companies in a variety of sectors. The interests include petroleum, shipping, banking, media, and others.
Vardinogiannis marked an entire era with his business activity and his public presence.
Under his leadership, the family expanded its business into a wide range of activities, always having as its flagship the Motor Oil in Corinth, Greece. Motor Oil is a Greek, multinational energy group of more than 100 companies, founded in 1972.
Gradually, Vardinogiannis and his relatives expanded, among other sectors, into the shipping, banking as well as into the media.
Vardinogiannis was included in Lloyd’s List’s Most Influential People in Shipping and was also included in Forbes List.
The event was attended by prominent figures including the President of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas, the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos, former Prime Ministers Kostas Karamanlis, Panagiotis Pikrammenos and Alexis Tsipras, the Leader of the Official Opposition Nikos Androulakis, the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, former Presidents of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prokopis Pavlopoulos, leaders from the political opposition, the entire leadership of the Armed Forces, ministers, MPs, distinguished businesspeople, public figures, as well as executives and employees of the Motor Oil Group.
The event was opened by the President of Motor Oil Group, Yiannis V. Vardinogiannis, who delivered an emotional address reflecting on his father’s legacy and enduring influence on Greek society and industry: “Today we honour the memory of a remarkable man, a true Cretan who loved above all his homeland. A patriotic Greek who served the Hellenic Navy with honour. His discipline, perseverance and devotion to duty accompanied him throughout his life. After the Navy, he dedicated himself to the business struggle, working tirelessly with vision and prudence.”
He continued: “He never sought publicity, but saw entrepreneurship as a responsibility. Behind every success, however, there was his humanity. He always helped discreetly, spontaneously, without many words. For him, offering to one’s fellow human being and to the homeland was a duty of the soul. As his son, I feel deep gratitude and pride. He was and remains for me a role model in life.”
Photo credit: Motor Oil.
A greeting was delivered by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, who emphasised: “The stature, prestige and reach of a powerful person are judged by the hand they extend to the weak. Vardis I. Vardinogiannis knew all this, just as he knew that offering should not be ostentatious, but simple. In every case, with humility and seriousness. He also believed that concern for the homeland is inseparably linked with care for one’s neighbour.”
His life journey and the facets of his personality were unfolded in a unique way. Vardis I. Vardinogiannis was portrayed as: the Cretan, the Naval Officer, the Businessman, the Benefactor, the Father, the Human Being.
Particularly symbolic was the participation of the Hellenic Navy band, which paid tribute to Honorary Rear Admiral, Vardis I. Vardinogiannis, the Cretan tradition expressed through performances by Vasilis Skoulas and Nektarios Bouhlis, as well as the Cretan Traditional Costume Association.
Testimonies by personalities connected to his life and work, from the Church, arts, sciences, the Navy, business, from Crete and the international scene, illuminated his multifaceted path.
