personality

In every generation, there are individuals whose journeys cannot be confined to a single profession or identity. They move across disciplines with natural ease, carrying excellence from one sphere into another. Divya Johar stands among such personalities. Her life reflects a rare synthesis of intellect, creativity, discipline, and emotional depth.

Recognised as an International Women’s Day Awardee 2026, Divya Johar has built an inspiring path through professional accomplishment and artistic expression. A graduate of the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), India, she developed her career in fashion, branding, and global industry, with professional experience in India and London. Her expertise, however, was never limited to commerce or design. It carried within it a larger vision of creativity, learning, and human development.

Her contribution to education further strengthened this journey. As a faculty member and jury at NIFT, and later as visiting faculty at the Indian Institute of Planning and Management, she helped guide emerging minds toward professional excellence and creative confidence. Teaching, for her, became an extension of learning itself.

Yet some of the deepest transformations in life happen away from public recognition. For Divya Johar, poetry emerged as that inward space. Inspired by motherhood, reflection, and lived experience, she turned to writing as a means of understanding emotion, identity, and the spiritual undercurrents of daily life.

Her acclaimed poetry collection Hues of Divinity, published in India and the United States, introduced readers to a voice marked by sincerity, warmth, and introspection. The work explores compassion, resilience, inner awakening, and the beauty that often lies hidden within ordinary moments. Her writings in anthologies and literary forums continue to affirm her place as a creative voice of sensitivity and insight.

What makes Divya Johar’s journey especially relevant today is not only her success across multiple fields, but the harmony with which she carries them. She represents a model of contemporary womanhood rooted in strength without aggression, achievement without vanity, and creativity without pretension. Her life demonstrates that one need not choose between professional ambition and inner growth. Both can coexist, enrich one another, and produce a fuller human experience.

In a world that often values speed over reflection and visibility over substance, such journeys deserve attention. They remind us that growth can be multidimensional, and that true accomplishment often arises when outward success remains connected to inner authenticity.

Her recent conversation in Meet the Luminaries, hosted by Prof. Irene Doura Kavadia, offers thoughtful insights into her life, work, and evolving philosophy. It is a dialogue that speaks not only to women, but to anyone seeking to navigate life with grace, courage, and creative purpose.

Elisa Mascia, a renowned artist, poet, writer, and cultural promoter, was born on April 13, 1956, in the picturesque town of Santa Croce di Magliano, located in the province of Campobasso (Cb). Currently residing and working in San Giuliano di Puglia (Cb), her life has been a fascinating odyssey of creativity, cultural exchange, and the pursuit of universal peace.

The Journey of a Poetess-Writer

Elisa Mascia’s artistic journey began with a profound love for literature and poetry. Her poetic exploration took a significant turn in July 2019 when she published her poetic Silloge titled “La Grattugia della Luna” (The Grater of the Moon). This milestone work was guided by the experienced hand of the great artist and poet, Erminio Girardo, who played a crucial role as her mentor.

Beyond Borders: Bridging Cultures through Translation

Elisa’s passion for language and literature extended beyond her own writings. She demonstrated her prowess as a translator by translating the poems of the celebrated poet NilavroNill Shoovro. These translated pieces found their place in the annual anthologies and monthly archives of world poets, curated by NilavroNill Shoovro himself. Additionally, she translated the book of poems titled “Savage Wind” by poet Asoke Kumar Mitra, thus breaking linguistic barriers and fostering global literary connections.

A Voice for the Arts

Elisa Mascia’s influence on the artistic world goes beyond pen and paper. Her participation in the project “A Voice of the Dark – Theater in the Dark” by Pietro La Barbera showcases her as a donor of voice, giving life and emotion to the arts in innovative ways.

A Journey in the Digital Realm

In the digital age, Elisa Mascia’s involvement in various online platforms has been notable. As a registered and founder member of WikiPoesia since February 2020, she has contributed to the dissemination of poetic knowledge. Additionally, she serves as the Academic, Coordinator, and Administrator of Italy in the Luso Academy-Brasileiro Albap, further strengthening artistic ties between Italy and Brazil.

A Global Peace Ambassador

Elisa Mascia’s dedication to promoting peace on a global scale earned her the prestigious title of “Ambassador of Peace.” As a Grihaswamini Ambassador to Italy, she carries the message of peace to different corners of the world. Furthermore, her role as a poet representing Italy in MUNDO LITERARIO UNIVERSAL and collaboration with Nicaraguan periodist Carlos Javier Jarquin underscore her commitment to fostering understanding and harmony among nations.

A Literary Maven

Elisa Mascia’s involvement in the literary world extends to her roles as Editor of a web page, Alessandria today newspaper, and Alessandria online blog. Her editorial prowess is evident in her work with the Writers Capital Foundation and as Italy Coordinator of PILF 2022 and Festival PIAF 2022 Arts and Sculptures. Her membership in the European Executive Council of the RENAISSANCE MILLENNIUM III of George Onsy and the Thrinakìa Prize Jury solidifies her place in the literary realm.

Embracing the Arts

Elisa Mascia’s artistic pursuits transcend the written word. She delved into the world of drawing and painting, honing her skills through online lessons by Argentine artist-sculptor-ceramist Ángel Guiñazu, thereby enriching her creative repertoire.

Collaborations and Connections

Elisa Mascia’s collaborations have spanned continents and cultures. She collaborated with the multi-talented Argentine poet, declamator, actress, radio and television presenter, Alicia Antonia Muñoz Verri, Guainy, showcasing the universality of art and poetry.

A Magical Journey

As the creator and curator of the blog “Magiche Emozioni dell’anima – nonsolopoesiarte.art.blog,” Elisa Mascia has crafted a digital realm that celebrates the magical emotions of the soul, transcending borders and bringing art enthusiasts together.

Elisa Mascia’s life is an inspiring testament to the power of art, poetry, and cultural exchange in promoting universal peace and understanding. Her tireless efforts in bridging gaps between cultures and promoting literary works from around the world have earned her a place of honor among the artistic community. As she continues to weave her creative tapestry, Elisa Mascia will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the world of arts and letters for generations to come.

With immense Love and Pride, we escort our own Vangelis Papathanassiou, the International Musical Genius, to his last journey has left this dimension…

Evangelos Odysseus Papathanassiou, this name has a great meaning in the Greek language. The etymology is as follows: the prefix “EY” means “very good” and “Angelos” is “the one who brings a good announcement”, therefore also “angel”. And his second name, Odysseus, is the voyager who has been “traveling” with us on his ship of music along the journey towards existence.

It is widely known and proven that Vangelis was a great human and with his work, he uplifted human beings by means of his music. He was awarded an Oscar in 1982 for his music in the film “Chariots of Fire”. The Film highlights the attempt of 3 British runners in the Olympics of 1924 in Paris. A great piece of music!

Vangelis (as he is called internationally) was born on 29^th March 1943 at Agria of Volos, Greece. He started composing at the age of 4. He was considered a wonder boy and gave his first public performance at the age of six playing his own syntheses on the piano, having basically almost no musical education, in conventional terms, because obviously, the boy placed his education a priori. He was self-educated, though his parents were pushing him to study music. He never had a dream of being a piano soloist but always had the desire to play his own music. However, he studied classical music, painting, and film directing at the Athens Academy of Good Arts.

In the early ’60s as a part of the Fornix musical band, he takes his first steps writing the song Jeronimo Yanka (even today we dance this one at parties) which became a great success as a 45 album and became gold within its first week of circulation. In ’68 he moved to Paris with the other internationally known Greek singer, Demis Roussos. and they together created the band “Aphrodite’s Child”. They had a successful double album under the title 666, which was the beginning of an international career.  In 1970 he wrote music for the film Henry Happier and on 1973 he started successful cooperation with film director Frederic Rossif for a series of wild nature documentaries a while before going to London, he circulated his solo album “Earth”.

In 1978 he cooperated with the International Greek actress Eirini Pappa in the album “Odes” with exceptional Greek Traditional songs and in ’86 they collaborated again in the album “Rhapsodies”.

His syntheses for cinema movies

Except for the historical Chariots of Fire, awarded with the Oscar in ’82 he also “dressed” many films with his music.

Music for Space

He was always fascinated with space exploration since his early childhood as he himself had revealed. A great part of his work is dedicated to this.  Therefore big space foundations entrusted him to compose music for their successes: 1980, an American series of Cosmos: A Personal Voyage of Carl Sagan, with the main topic of humans in space and the existence of extraterrestrial life. This music was composed by Vangelis while the series got the Emmy award and was shown in 69 countries to 500 million people.

In the Summer of 2001, Vangelis presented his play Mythodia in the Pillars of Olympius Zeus. This music has accompanied the journey in Mars: Odyssey in Mars. This was a spectacular musical performance with special visual effects in which appeared all Ancient Greek Gods and Nasa’s space images. This play was shown all over the planet via giant screens and in Panathinaikon Stadium in Athens.  After the completion of this great performance, the Minister of Education of the French government decorated him with the Legion of Honor in a great ceremony at Zappeion Mansion. Two years later Nasa gave him the medal of public contribution in recognition of an outstanding contribution to its vision. The prize is the highest price by an American non-governmental organization.

In 2013, NASA adopted Papathanassiou’s music for the second time with an original piece of music created to frame the video from the Hera (Juno) mission, which depicts the movement of the Earth and the moon together for the first time. The video was captured during the Journey to Jupiter.

In 1995, as a tribute to his musical contribution but also to his love of space, the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union named the Main Belt Asteroid 6354 after the composer, now called 6354 Vangelis.

Awards and distinctions

He won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1982 for the music in the film Roads of Fire, the Golden Lion at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, for the music Ask the Mountains in a TV commercial, the Max Steiner Award in 1989, for composition and presentation of distinguished cinematic music, the Echo Award (Germany) as International Artist of the Year 1992, the Award of the Flanders International Film Festival (Belgium), the Valencia International Film Festival Award, the Audience Award, and the Apollo Award in 1993 for his contribution to music from the Society of Friends of the National Opera.

He is the mentor and forerunner of many different musical genres while he is considered the master of electronic music (progressive, ambient, jazz, and orchestral music, among others.

Last Tuesday, May 17th this great man left this life and entered another lighter dimension.

Farewell dear Vangelis, we will bear you and your music in our hearts forever.

 

Olga Acheimastou
©Olga Acheimastou