The iconic former mayor of Thessaloniki, a winemaker and founder of wildlife and bears sanctuary “Arctouros”, Yiannis Boutaris passed away at 82 late on Saturday.
A cosmopolitan and sui generis politician and activist who open the doors of the conservative city and society in northern Greece and loved by the minorities.
His death was announced by Kyr-Yianni, the wine-making business he founded, 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.
Yiannis Boutaris served as Mayor of Thessaloniki from 2011 to 2019. From January 2024 and until his death in November he served as a municipal councilor of Thessaloniki, a position he held again from 2003 tο 2011.
His primary education was at the Experimental elementary school of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, his secondary education at Anatolia College. He graduated in chemistry from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 1965 and in oenology from the Wine Institute of Athens in 1967.] In his youth he was associated with the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).
From 1969 to 1996 he worked for the family wine company Boutari, based in Naoussa. He left the family company to create the Kir-Yianni wine company, based on two estates in abandoned village of Giannakochori and in Amyntaio, in 1998.
Boutaris spoke several times openly about his struggle with alcoholism and his successful effort to quit drinking back in 1991. He was also a supporter of LGBT rights and the legalization of cannabis.
Arctouros wildlife Sanctuary
Yiannis Boutaris -picture above with President of the Hellenic Republic Katarina Sakellaropoulou – created the non-governmental environmental organization for the protection of wild life and the natural environment in 1992, when he found himself in front of a dancing bear together with his son Michalis.
The sad sight that Yiannis Boutaris witnessed led him to the establishment of an organization for the protection of wildlife and biodiversity, but also to the shelter based in Nymphaeum, Florina, which is visited by thousands of people every year.
“Until the last moment he did not stop fighting for nature, wildlife, freedom, diversity for all, the right to life for every creature.
Have a good journey to eternity, our Mr. John. We promise you to continue your vision of a life in which people, animals and nature will live harmoniously and beautifully. Your light, your courage, your foresight and your deep love for the environment and people will always guide us”, says “Arktouros” in its post.
