Spiros Balios

Interview, Photo: Nikos Zappas

Self-organisation, self-management, culture and sustainability


As the years go by, I just see their repercussions on me, how music affects the body, the mind and the soul, no matter what post you serve it from… As I have dealt with many things in my life, in many different fields, I have come to believe that the only certain thing is that music never lets you let it go.

Mr. Balios we know you, mainly, thanks to your marked presence in the field of music and the high standards of your record company which has its headquarters at Paros. What was the beginning of this love for music and how did this dream come true?
I think it was a child’s love…Amidst the family you live the feasts, the joy, the all-togetherness and you want to give and take some joy…
A continuous quest for knowledge, beauty, the closeness of the group, joint actions, the top… I don’t know yet what I have given, I haven’t taken stock yet…
As the years go by, I just see their repercussions on me, how music affects the body, the mind and the soul, no matter what post you serve it from…
As I have dealt with many things in my life, in many different fields, I have come to believe that the only certain thing is that music never lets you let it go.

Many important interpreters of the music scene have chosen Paros and your studio to record their new album. Could this serve as an example for the broader art community of Paros?
What is of priority for the cultural community of Paros is education, musical education. Educational infrastructures are more necessary than a studio. Conservatories, schools, master classes, festivals, performances of national and international prestige, things which will guide the locals to quality.
We have the infrastructure we need, the capacity of producing and some good work has been done, while some other projects are under way, projects originally made here, at Paros.

A basic problem of the Greek province is the education of those young people who wish to learn the new technologies and more specifically those related to Art. Can Paros hope for an upgraded educational scheme of this kind?
I think that many people dream and prepare such activities with Paros as their centre, because as we have already said Paros is not just a tourist destination but also a place to live. And when you live in a beautiful place, then you cannot but do beautiful things.

Paros has gone through many stages of tourist development. This year, the new airport of Paros is a reality. What are the new challenges in the wake of this development?
The airport is the tip of the iceberg in an entire system of infrastructure projects and services which, must be streamlined and organized in the best possible way, so that we can successfully give what we promise to our clients. In this way we shall be able to work with dignity, to develop and to create a modern, sustainable system for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren. It is in our power.

Which are your future plans and what do you hope for Paros?
Many plans and many dreams, every day…
The question is what time and conditions allow us to do. The main target is a continuous and informed development, at all levels, professional and personal. For Paros and for us the people we live on the island, I have hopes: Self-organisation, self-management, culture and sustainability.

Summer 2016