Mr Christos Panagopoulos, Chairman of the BoD and CEO of ERT SA, gave a Press Conference today, after Greece won the first place in the 14th European Contest ‘EUROVISION YOUNG MUSICIANS 2008’.

The Press Conference was attended by Mr Dionysis Grammenos, winner of the contest, Mr Dimitris Gondikas, General Manager for Television at ERT, Mr Dimitris Afendoulis, Secretary of the Executive Board of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, which sponsored the Greek participation, Mr Alexis Kostalas and Ms Irini Gavala, Manager of the Department of International Co-Productions. 

After highlighting the constant contribution of ERT to culture, Mr Panagopoulos congratulated the 19-year old clarinettist and offered him to participate in the orchestra of the ERT Music Ensembles.

Mr Dionysis Grammenos said he is very happy to have won the first prize in such an important contest and stressed that his participation was a unique experience.

Mr Afendoulis, who represented the John S. Latsis Foundation, stated that this contest has all the characteristics that make the idea of sponsorship seem like a self-evident act of duty to culture and the effort and progress made by so many young and talented Greek musicians, as well as to organisations such as ERT, which continuously and consistently support such initiatives.

Mr Alexis Kostalas –the ‘heart’ of the contest, as Mr Panagopoulos described him– highlighted the high level of all participants and expressed his admiration for the talent and modesty of Dionysis Grammenos.

Mr Gondikas said that the purpose of ERT is to support culture and all types of music, which is proven by the fact that it holds the seventh place at European level, together with the BBC, regarding co-productions. 

Ms Gavala expressed her satisfaction with the result of the contest and said that the EBU sent its congratulations for Greece’s participation and success.