Yiannis Boutaris’ funeral to be held on Tuesday

Yiannis Boutaris’ funeral will be held in Thessaloniki on Tuesday.

Boutaris, one of Greece’s most prominent oenologists and winemakers, passed away late Saturday at the age of 82.

As mayor of Thessaloniki, he made a lasting impact on the city. Even in recent years, he continued to serve his beloved city as a member of the municipal council.

In recent months, Boutaris faced serious health challenges and had been receiving treatment at a private clinic in Thessaloniki.

Condolences have been expressed by numerous officials, including President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis.

Yiannis Boutaris, winemaker and mayor, died late Saturday at the age of 82.

His death was announced by Kyr-Yianni, the winemaking business he founded and which is run by his two sons, in a Facebook post, in both English and Greek.

“It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of Yiannis Boutaris, our founder and iconic winemaker. He passed away tonight, at the age of 82, surrounded by his family.

Larger than life, visionary, charismatic, innovator, maverick. Yiannis Boutaris is leaving his inspiring mark at both the storied history and the future of Greek Wine. And far beyond wine.

A restless force of nature known by his first name.

Kir-Yiannis will always hold a special place in hour hearts,” the post said.

Boutaris, from a winemaking family, was one of Greece’s most important oenologists. As mayor of Thessaloniki from 2011-19 he made a splash. He also served as municipal councilor from 2003-11 and from 2023 until his death.

“I am coming back as an active citizen concerned about his city,” he had told Kathimerini’s Stavros Tzimas in a September 2023 interview about his comeback in local politics after a four-year hiatus.

After a lifetime growing his wine brand – he had left the Boutaris business to found Kyr-Yianni – he threw himself into his mayoral duties with gusto and left a considerable imprint on the city he loved. Following 24 years of hard-line conservative rule, he changed the city’s reputation as a hidebound, nationalist hub.

“He was the daring visionary who fought with all his might to bring the city back in touch with its rich multicultural, colorful and cosmopolitan past,” said current Thessaloniki mayor Stelios Angeloudis.

Source: ekathimerini.com