Kremena Koutsoukou
Pier Cardin did not arrive in Athens, where he was supposed to participate in a charity night in aid of children infected with AIDS. The famous designer got sick and postponed his trip just few hours before his planned arrival in the Greek capital.
On the eve of December 1 – World AIDS Day “Greek action in Africa” in cooperation with the Consulate of Côte d'Ivoire are organizing a charity night for orphaned children infected with AIDS in the French embassy. The event is taking place under the auspices of the French embassy in Athens and the Athens Municipality.
Pier Cardin was supposed to be among the main guests of the night but his trip was cancelled at the last moment due to health problems. The planned presentation of the man/woman collection of the designer will take place. Also present will be Maryze Gaspard – Cardin’s muse – the woman, who for the last 40 years has been following him closely on all catwalks and who organizes some of the most spectacular presentations of his collections, among which is the defile of the Red Square in Moscow.
The organization “Greek action in Africa” was founded in 1980 when its founder Mero Kesesioglou visited West Africa as a volunteer and for the first time faced the hard life conditions in the region. Mrs. Kesesioglou comes from a rich family and finances all her actions, helping African children, from her personal pocket. She created 9 hospitals, 3 schools, 4 dentist offices, 1 maternity hospital and 2 orphanages – 1 for healthy children and 1 for children infected with AIDS.
Volunteers from Canada, France, Switzerland and Belgium work in those orphanages. Among the many programs aiming to improve life conditions in the region, Mrs. Kesesioglou founds an agricultural school, in which she teaches women how to organize local cooperation.
Present at the charity evening will be the famous Greek composer Mimis Plesas and the Greek-French singer Giorgos Peris. The gathered charity amount will go for medications for orphans infected with AIDS.