The iconic Maria Callas Monaco Gala & Awards, this year followed in the footsteps of the great ‘La Divina’, , at the magnificent Lido of Venice, exactly where Maria Callas’ Love Story with Aristotle Onassis began in 1957, and also followed the film ‘Maria’ by the renowned director Pablo Larrain, starring Angelina Jolie, which took part in the 81st Venice Film Festival.
This year’s awards impressed the audience once again , with a four-day program in the magnificent Venice , including the award ceremony for the film ‘Maria ‘ , as well as awards of stars and great artists , the traditional Gala dinner , Opera & Music Concerts, gourmet meals and red carpet presence during the glam of the 81st Venice Festival .
The iconic Maria Callas Monaco Gala & Awards, this year followed in the footsteps of the great ‘La Divina’, , at the magnificent Lido of Venice, exactly where Maria Callas’ Love Story with Aristotle Onassis began in 1957, and also followed the film ‘Maria’ by the renowned director Pablo Larrain, starring Angelina Jolie, which took part in the 81st Venice Film Festival.
This year’s awards impressed the audience once again , with a four-day program in the magnificent Venice , including the award ceremony for the film ‘Maria ‘ , as well as awards of stars and great artists , the traditional Gala dinner , Opera & Music Concerts, gourmet meals and red carpet presence during the glam of the 81st Venice Festival .
With great success, glittering stars and honorary distinctions, the international Maria Callas Monaco Gala & Awards were organized again this year, at this time from the Principality of Monaco, travelling us to the enchanting Lido in Venice.
The President and founder of the Organization, Ioanna Efthimiou chose this destination for this year’s event for two important reasons.
The first is about Maria Callas, who met the great love of her life Aristotle Onassis for the first time there, at the Lido in Venice in 1957, during the 18th Venice Film Festival, where they were introduced by their mutual friend Lady Maxwell.
So, Ioanna Efthimiou decided to follow these footsteps of Maria Callas in this place where this historic meeting took place, which was to mark the life of the great ‘La Divina’ forever!
The second important reason concerns the film ‘ Maria ‘ by the well-known director Pablo Larrain, starring Angelina Jolie, which is currently presented, and competing for the Golden Lion at the 81st Venice Film Festival.
The Maria Callas Monaco Gala & Awards Organization in collaboration with the film’s producers has undertaken the promotion of the film, as well as the events that will accompany the film during its stay in Venice.
The events began on 28th August with the official opening of the exhibition of precious belongings of Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis, mainly related to the film ‘Maria’, by the Greek collector Nikos Haralabopoulos, at the historic Ausonia Hungaria Hotel in Lido, Venice.
The inauguration was attended by the director of the film Pablo Larrain who was also awarded by the Maria Callas Monaco Awards organization, the cast, as well as the producers, who were impressed and guided by the collector, in the presence of the President of the Organization Ioanna Efthimiou, and other parts of the board who participated.
The awards were designed by the renowned designer Artist Christos Hatzivasiliou.
Also in the exhibition area, and specifically in the wonderful garden of the hotel was placed a very impressive statue of Maria Callas by the famous Brazilian Artist, Marcos Marin.
The next day, August 29th, was followed by the main Gala ceremony of Maria Callas Monaco Awards, attended by well-known personalities of the international artistic, film and social jet set, such as the envoy of Prince Albert of Monaco, and Ambassador of this year’ s Edition, Mrs Oxana Girko who enchanted the audience with her kind presence.
Oxana Girko is a personality that stands out in the Principality of Monaco, both for her charity contribution, as also for her big support in saving the marine life and protect the green environment, through her own collaboration with the Prince Albert II Monaco Foundation.
In this honorary evening were awarded the world famous artists Christina Poulitsi, Simone Piazzola and Greta Lirussi , where they presented a unique opera concert that literally enchanted the audience. Also enchanted the audience were the talented musicians Ioannis Nikolis with his violin, and Dimitris Giakas on the piano.
They Awarded for their merit, the special ladies Oxana Girko and Lady Monika Bacardi.
Mrs Oxana Girko was awarded for her total contribution concerning her philanthropic work, as well her ecological and ‘green’ great support.
Lady Monika Bacardi was awarded for her general contribution in the film industry world .
The menu provided this evening was inspired by the Maria Callas menu held in Venice in 1957 at the Harry’s Bar.
The events culminated by a private lunch the next day August 30th, at the world’s star hotel Excelsior at the Lido in Venice.
All VIPs arrived by private boats and enjoyed a unique high quality lunch of very famous chefs, while afterwards they enjoyed the red carpet experience at the glamorous Venice film festival among the best film stars !