Thessaloniki, Greece — Yiannis Boutaris, a renowned winemaker and two-time mayor of Thessaloniki, passed away on Saturday evening, as confirmed by his winemaking company Kir-Yianni via social media.
Though the exact cause of death wasn’t disclosed, it was noted that Boutaris had been experiencing health issues, including a hip surgery a couple of weeks prior to his passing. After a brief hospital discharge, he was readmitted shortly before his death.
In a heartfelt tribute posted by his two sons, who manage the family business, Boutaris was described using words such as “visionary,” “charismatic,” and “innovator.” His impact on the city and its politics was highlighted, with many politicians across party lines expressing their condolences and paying homage to his unorthodox approach.
Boutaris, who eventually made his mark in local politics later in life, was elected as a municipal councilor at the age of 60. He first contested the mayoral race in 2006 but finished third. He won a closely-contested election in 2010, breaking a 24-year spell of hardline conservative leadership in the mayor’s office. His 2014 reelection secured him 58% of the votes, proving the diversity of his support spanning from leftist groups to moderate conservatives.
After a four-year pause, Boutaris made a return to municipal politics in 2023, serving until his untimely death.
Stelios Angeloudis, the current mayor of Thessaloniki, praised Boutaris as a “daring visionary” who worked tirelessly to reconnect the city with its rich, multicultural history. Known for promoting good relations with neighboring Balkan countries, Boutaris sought to welcome Turkish tourists to Thessaloniki, notably the birthplace of the country’s founder, Kemal Ataturk. In a significant diplomatic gesture, he invited Zoran Zaev, the prime minister of what was then The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, to a dinner on New Year’s Day in 2017, which contributed to resolving a long-standing naming dispute between the two nations.
His commitment to preserving the city’s Jewish heritage was exemplified through his support for the establishment of a Holocaust Museum, although some of his initiatives were met with resistance from nationalists and factions within the Orthodox Church. His willingness to engage in confrontations was evident when the city’s archbishop publicly criticized him in 2010, yet Boutaris persevered to win the election merely weeks later.
In May 2018, he was assaulted by a group of nationalists, which resulted in injuries; years later, several individuals, including a police officer, were convicted in connection with that incident.
Prior to his political career, Boutaris built a respected name in the winemaking sector, initially working in the family vineyard until he separated from his brother and established his own winery, Kir-Yianni, in 1996. He was also a staunch environmental advocate, founding an NGO named Arktouros, which aimed to protect brown bears and later expanded its focus to include other species. Boutaris was also passionate about the Aris Thessaloniki sports club, significantly supporting its professional basketball team during its successful run in the 1980s and 1990s.
In 2021, he released a widely recognized memoir titled “60 Years of Harvests,” wherein he candidly discussed his battle with alcoholism, celebrating his sobriety since 1991. His legacy continues through his two sons, a daughter, and six grandchildren.
The family has announced that Boutaris will be cremated on Tuesday, and no religious ceremony will accompany the event.