The world feels empty today. I feel an indescribable void at the unfillable loss of a demi-God, a protector, a beacon of light and hope. Mikis Theodorakis was a beautiful man and a musical genius of incomprehensible wisdom. Mikis lyricised man’s quest for freedom. Yet he experienced life through the eyes of a child. One could observe his eyes light up at the simple beauty of life. He was a living legend but he was also my friend.

Overcoming adversity: How Mary Tsouvalakis turned tragedy into triumph and with love of life at its core. At 16, Mary Tsouvalakis was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and given 48 hours to live. Despite her young age and lack of experience, she chose to fight the life-threatening illness with the help of her faith and determined mother.