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Thanasis Lalas is an acclaimed Greek journalist, magazine creator, visual artist, and author. He discovered his love for the art of the interview very early on and has dedicated himself to it for more than 40 years. Today, he has conducted over 4,500 interviews with the most prominent figures in global politics, economics, science, culture, and sports. He has created 38 new magazine concepts and has taught the online seminar 'The Art of the Interview'." In 2003, he was honored with the "Alekos Lidorikis" award by the University of Athens for his role in reinventing the art of the interview through innovative methods and new narrative styles—a distinction recognizing his significant contribution to journalism. Thanasis Lalas is also a painter, sculptor, and author of biographies, fairy tales, and novels, as well as a podcast creator and the publisher of the online magazine OLAFAQ.
Thanassis Lalas was born and raised in Athens.
He studied Economics at the Law School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
From 1979 to 1986, Thanassis Lalas had his first defining encounters with major personalities such as Stratis Tsirkas, Andy Warhol, Nikos Karouzos, Manolis Anagnostakis, and others. These contacts laid the foundations of his journalistic career, while his meeting with Andy Warhol provided the international "pop" impetus for his future path.
He began his career as a journalist and publisher with the release of "Periodiko" magazine.
He launched his first radio show, "Escaping," on Athena 9.84, while continuing to publish "Periodiko." During this time, he started "STATUS" magazine and collaborated with "01" magazine for the first time.
He started the radio show "The Bad Boys" (Ta Kaka Paidia) on Athena 9.84, alongside Lambis Tagmatarchis.
He began collaborating with the Lambrakis Press Group and "To Vima tis Kyriakis" newspaper, while simultaneously creating the magazine "AlloVima."
He began his series of interviews for "To Vima tis Kyriakis," inaugurating a new and defining period in his journalistic career.
His show "The Human Farm" aired for the first time on SKAI, marking his entrance into the world of television.
He began writing and publishing interview-books with major international figures, including Zaha Hadid, Woody Allen, Vangelis, Allen Ginsberg, and Harold Pinter.
The publication of "Periodiko" and the radio show "The Bad Boys" both came to an end, marking the closing of a creative era.
He launched the publication of "VHMAdonna."
The first edition of "VHMAdonna" was released. During the same period, a meeting with Yiannis Moralis led him to the decision to pursue painting.
The launch of "FREE" in 2003 became a publishing phenomenon in Greece, with sales reaching 170,000 copies. This success was accompanied by an iconic TV campaign directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.
From 2004 to 2012, he published biographies of significant figures in collaboration with Kastaniotis and Armos editions, a publishing activity he continues to this day.
From 2005 to 2010, he held his first solo exhibitions, curated by Takis Mavrotas, at Athinais (Athens) and the Pierides Museum (Nicosia, Cyprus). This was followed by an extensive career of over 120 exhibitions.
The first edition of "FAQ" magazine is published.
The standalone print publication of "Portrait" is completed.
His show "The Dance of Answers" returns to television, originally premiered in 2008 on ET (now ERT1).
He returns to ERT with the show "The Notebooks" (Ta Tetradia). Simultaneously, he transforms the Smart car into a "mobile work of art," painting a total of 22 collectible cars for Athens and Monaco.
OLAFAQ is created as the digital evolution of the weekly magazine "FAQ."
The first book in the series "Drinking Coffee with..." is published.
He utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) to process and express his artistic vision on the TESLA electric car.
Today, he creates and hosts the shows "Drinking Coffee with Thanasis Lalas" and "Portraits: Life Stories." He is also currently digitizing his body of work, expanding his presence in the modern cultural environment.
Born and raised in Athens.
Economics at Aristotle University.
Formative meetings with figures like Andy Warhol.
Launched "Periodiko" magazine.
Launched "Escaping" on Athena 9.84.
Legendary radio show with L. Tagmatarchis.
Joined Lambrakis Press & created "AlloVima".
A new era for "To Vima tis Kyriakis".
"The Human Farm" airs on SKAI.
Books with Pinter, Hadid, and Woody Allen.
Closing a major chapter in radio and print.
Launched the iconic weekly supplement.
Morali's influence leads him to the canvas.
Record-breaking sales of 170,000 copies.
Began series with Kastaniotis and Armos.
First solo art shows in Athens and Nicosia.
First edition of FAQ magazine.
Print publication series completed.
Painted 22 cars as "mobile art works".
The digital evolution of FAQ magazine.
Launch of the best-selling book series.
Using AI for art on the Tesla canvas.
Today: Digitizing his life's work.