A short Tribute to our Giorgos Mazonakis, aka MaZo | some thoughts and news.

Oct 21

5 min read

Γειά σας! Ahoj! Hello! Regards from foggy/atmospheric/cold Praha!

Long time no see. It's been a busy, wonderful summer, and a generally busy period, not only with work, but with activities. I hope you had a great summer season, with either rest or wonderful events! I wanted to return with a new video and/or a blog post, since it has already been too long since I posted. I wish I could return under different circumstances, as this post has a bittersweet flavour in it.

As life here unfolds calmly (as possible considering what is going on in the world), productively, and -bodily/spiritualy- actively, my motherland has a way of constantly shocking us with bad news. I do not want to make this post too grim, and I was very sceptical about whether I should make such a dedication, but after these weeks of shock, desperation, and sadness, I thought that this would be the best way to express and let out this sorrow I feel for the first time in such a way, about a human being I didn't even know in person.

A few weeks ago, on 9/9/2026, Greece lost one of its most beloved, influential, and popular singers, Giorgos Mazonakis, at 54. In this loss, we are not just shocked by the fact that a young, talented person has passed away too soon, but also by the way he lost his life. A way that shook us to the core and confirmed to most of us, at least, that empathy, humanity, and conscience are almost lost from our society, and that, once more, the state is not able to protect its citizens from charlatans/quacksalvers, because they are best friends with such people, swindlers of the worst kind. They let them do their business and cover them up. Giorgos criminally lost his life, totally helpless in a 'clinic' for the few elite (politicians, journalists, artists, entrepreneurs, and other prominent Greeks) in the very centre of the city, in a prominent region of Athens.

Giorgos has been one of my favourite artists since my teenage years, and throughout his career, which spanned 33 years. His style/genre fluctuated mostly around modern folk, but he was always experimenting a lot with his musical style. As a mostly pop/modern music lover (growing up listening to my mother's cassettes with 80s disco and Greek pop music), and as a person who is touched and inspired mainly by the music and not the lyrics, I consider Giorgos one of the few artists who made me love and feel modern Greek folk music and words deeply, because of his unique personality, voice colour and way of performing the songs. He wasn't a composer/lyricist, but from the very beginning of his career, he chose the tracks for his records himself, songs that inspired him and reflected his character and life. He was always truthful in everything he sang, and everyone could feel it. Another major reason Giorgos had my utter respect and admiration was that he was never afraid to be himself. He was considered extravagant in the way he acted and dressed on the stage, contradicting the classic 'tasteless' image of a typical folk singer, presenting a fluid sexuality, provoking the short minded conservatives/phony people -I loved him even more for this-, while not giving a dime. No one else has ever dared to be an extravagant fashion icon, wearing even Scottish-like skirts while singing folk songs on the stage, and being accepted, respected and loved so much. The image of a folk singer was always very strict in my country. With his active presence on his personal social media and in the Voice of Greece talent show, he proved once more what kind of simple/down-to-earth person he was, unaffected by stardom, and just one of us. I believe these are the reasons why there was real, widespread mourning and public expressions of sadness, proving that Giorgos was loved and respected by people with different tastes in music genres, generations/ages, and social classes. After his loss, many stories about how much he discreetly and secretly helped people in need were revealed to the public.

I was thinking of not making such a dedication, as how many beloved songs could fit from a 33-year career... Giorgos has many tracks connected with our lives, corresponding to different eras, moments and experiences. I decided to make a timecode no longer than 10 minutes, mixing a potpourri with a few of my beloved songs from various eras and styles, showing just a glimpse of his musical diversity, lit up by our favourite classic lights. After battling thoughts, I decided that it would be beautiful to have something- a show inspired by him and his heritage on my channel:

I hope you enjoyed this video, especially George's music! In my current space, I can never have enough of the Clay Paky's aerials. Especially now, as my room is larger in comparison with the overcrowded attic, so there is a bit more of a throw for the rays.

This is also the first video which I uploaded after I moved to the Czech Republic, made with my current 'setup of solace', as I call it! Having these six lights with me here offers great solace and comfort. I really would not be able to live without having a bunch of them with me, by my side.

I do not work with my lights as often as I did when I was in Athens, as now I am focusing on doing things I couldn't do when I was there. I am focusing on well-being, being active with swimming and cycling, and continuing my Czech language studies at the A2 level, keeping my ears and eyes open for new job opportunities, while keeping my current home-office work. Exploring the city weekly, discovering new spots-gems for dinners and desserts, and visiting theatres and concerts. I am walking and exploring so much here; I cannot have enough of it. In a few months, I will be completing 2 years in Prague, and I haven't stopped feeling constantly grateful and blessed to be here.

Lighting cannot be forgotten, of course. My work with them is nowadays mostly adapting the two Goldenscan HPEs to the timecodes I created earlier, and from time to time, the urge to recover and restore a unit resurfaces. This will definitely happen again. For now, I hope I will have the time this winter to send another shipment with a few lights here.

That's all for this post! Thank you for reading and watching! I hope you all are doing great, have lots of inspiration and have fun working with the lights!

See you under the spot lights!