On March 20, 2023, Greek Armenians honored the memory of the famed singer Marika Ninou (born Evangelia Atamian). The event, organized by the Hamazkayin Regional Executive Board, was part of the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the burning of Smyrna.
The event took place at the Zavarian Center in Nikaia, outside Athens. The two adjacent halls were filled to capacity with Armenian and Greek music lovers of all ages. Among the guests were the chairperson of the National Executive Board, Takvor Hovagimian; Raffi Kazarian from the ARF Central Committee; the parish priest Rev. Bared Khacherian; and the relatives of Marika Ninou.
The lights gently dimmed and, holding a candle, Marianna Khachadrian walked on stage, offering a unique rendition of the spiritual, “Oor es mayr im?” (Where are you, mother).