I left the table where there were important people and had lunch with my husband and a few friends. The reception was organised in my honour, so it was rather amusing.
My friends gave me the first songs which was the first food in my soul for me.
If I was sad or afraid, I would sit in a corner and sing. If I was happy I would jump into the middle of the room and sing. It was how I expressed my emotions.
I thought it was respectful to each country to sing in their language.
I like to cook, but mostly Greek. When I am confused or tired, I think about what I can cook. It takes you away from everything, as you are thinking only of your dish.
Once I was condemned to three months' absolute silence. As I could not speak, I wrote a book.
I grew up thinking that singing was my security.
I do believe that if you haven't learnt about sadness, you cannot appreciate happiness.
For my convalescence, I had to exercise my voice only with vowels. It is a medical rule after a long loss of voice.
Every time I would open my mouth to sing, everybody was paying attention to me. It became a habit.
I think sometimes you are born with a song.
When I started to work with UNICEF, it was a new way of giving some love and care to the world.
With my songs I tried to prove that there is love.
Wherever you turn, there is always something wrong with the politicians. They have everything they need to save the world, and they don't save it.
When you want something very dearly, you make the time.