Timeless Anna Vissi

Text: Romina Xyda / Photos: Mariza Kapsabeli

It’s not just her career that endures through time – it’s the way she stops time every time she sings. The acclaimed performer continues to write her own story, remaining a timeless point of reference over the years.

The Panathenaic Stadium was alive, pulsing with energy. A sea of one hundred and twenty thousand people of every age sang the stories of a woman who never stopped living them. At the centre stood Anna Vissi –the same, yet somehow always different– raising her hands high, surrendering herself to the wave she’s been creating for fifty years. With a voice that opens paths, inspires, and moves hearts –from Larnaka to Athens’ legendary stadium, from her very first note to her last– Anna Vissi doesn’t just sing songs. She sings from her soul.

 More than 120,000 fans joined you in song over two sold-out nights at the Panathenaic Stadium. How did it feel to experience such unforgettable moments?
It was the gift of a lifetime – and it still feels that way. A once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was as if I could see my entire journey unfolding before me: the years, the dreams, and the audience’s heartfelt “thank you.”

 What was the first thought that crossed your mind when you stepped on stage and saw that sea of people in front of you?
I said to myself, “Oh…,” and then I was overcome with pride, love, and emotion. From that moment on, it was pure joy – as if I was flying above my own life, seeing it all from high above.

 If you had to describe your musical journey as a flight, what was the most intense turbulence – and what was the most magical view from the window?
I would describe the year 2013-14 as “turbulent,” when some unfortunate events occurred that, fortunately, I got over quickly. The most magical sight “from the window” was the Stadium. Seeing that wave of people, hearing their voices, feeling the emotion wash over me – it was pure magic, a moment that’s hard to put into words.

 What would you say are the five key milestones in your career?
It’s not five – it’s fifty-five and counting. I’ve experienced so many significant moments over these 52 years. From the first vinyl where I heard my own voice, to the triple sold-out shows at the Panathenaic Stadium not long ago. The journey had its ups and downs, but it’s this passage through everything that strengthens you and keeps you alive. If I had to choose one defining moment, it would be meeting Nikos Karvelas. It was karma. A man who knew who I am, what I stand for, and wrote songs for me that became pieces of my soul.

 Young people follow you, listen to you, post you on TikTok, and are discovering you all over again. How does it feel to have such a young audience singing songs that are 40 or 50 years old? What do you think they see in you beyond the music?
I believe that young people see something genuine in me. I don’t pretend, I don’t follow trends – I am who I am. And I think that’s what touches them. Through my music, my attitude, and my energy, they discover something that inspires them to be themselves. Of course, the songs themselves play a big part in that. They have a timeless quality that keeps them alive. Nikos Karvelas, the man who wrote them, is an incredibly talented creator. He wrote songs with soul and depth – lyrics that speak about life, love, and freedom. In the past, some of those songs might have seemed unusual, but today young people find them fresh and authentic. In any case, the connection I have with the younger generation is something special. It gives me wings, fills me with confidence, and makes me want to keep evolving – to give them even more, and to move them with even stronger emotions.

 Fifty years in the music industry is almost a lifetime. What drives you to keep experiencing it with the same intensity and passion?
The need to create, to evolve, and to keep giving meaning to what I do. Every project has its own intensity, but the passion always stays the same. Since I was young, I was never interested in fame or money – I wanted to live moments that truly matter. Music is my way of existing, of feeling, of breathing, of living.

 If you could go back to your early days, is there someone in Cyprus you would like to say a big “thank you” to today?
To my parents. Because I was lucky. Many children with talent don’t get the push they need and end up lost in time. But I was fortunate – luck smiled on me. My parents, especially my mother, saw my gift early on and supported me in what I loved. They opened doors for me – not only towards music, but towards life itself. Love and faith like that are never forgotten.

 What was the first song that made you say, “I want to sing this myself”? Do you remember it?
Yes. It was “Love Story” by Andy Williams. I used to listen to it over and over again.

 What does Cyprus mean for you today – on an emotional, artistic, and personal level?
Home sweet home. It’s my roots, my musical influences, my childhood memories – a journey back in time. Every time I return, something magical happens. The sea, the scent of pine and plane trees, the walks along the Finikoudes promenade – all of it grounds me. It’s my safe embrace.

 If you had to describe Anna Vissi offstage in just three words –words your fans would never think of– what would they be?
Lonely. Stubborn. Highly sensitive. I am a person who loves silence just as much as I love music.

 You’ve achieved it all. What still inspires you to keep going? Is it the need for expression, the connection with others, or the passion for something new?
In one word… to live! Life has many forms; you just need to choose the ones you enjoy and savour them as much as you can. For me, the word “endurance” is a way of life. I endure so that I can have. And as long as I endure, I will keep singing, because that is my oxygen.