Maria Nomikou (26) is one of the most versatile members that AEGEE ever had. The fresh Les Anciens member is an excellent singer and dancer and works as festival producer in Greece. In AEGEE she was best known as AEGEE Academy speaker, however, her path started differently – by being speaker in the now unfortunately deleted Dance Working Group. Then she became PR responsible of AEGEE-Athina, speaker of the AEGEE Academy and President of the Members Commission. Maria, who lives in Ilioupolis, also works as Youth trainer. She explained the Golden Oldie about her bogus trip with animals, why eggs are never missing in her fridge and much more.
Golden Oldie: When and where were you born?
Maria Nomikou: Athens, 14th of January 1985. It was a Sunday.
Golden Oldie: Where and what did you study?
Maria Nomikou: Theatre Studies at the University of Athens.
Golden Oldie: When did you join AEGEE and how?
Maria Nomikou: I joined in 2003. At that time I was volunteer at WWF Greece. We were invited by the environmental group of AEGEE-Athina to lead them for a nice mountain walk. There I met the crazy people of AEGEE and since then I couldn’t get rid of them.
Golden Oldie: Are you still member? If yes, of which antenna?
Maria Nomikou: No. I am not very active on the local level since quite some time ago. I appear from time to time to Local Training Courses and to parties though and I am in the council of advice of the AEGEE-Academy.
Golden Oldie: You are best known for being AEGEE-Academy speaker and Members Commission president. How did you get these tasks?
Maria Nomikou (smiles): I was elected! People voted for me!
Golden Oldie: What where the biggest challenges and rewards of these tasks?
Maria Nomikou: The Members Commission had no big challenges as we were inactive and we were only approached for advice. With the academy the main challenge was to ensure the continuity, to motivate people to join the board. Actually I was elected twice as speaker. The first time I was extremely motivated and I was working nonstop on that. Two years later I became speaker again because of the lack of candidates… one crazy night Basak motivated me and I motivated her and then we motivated some other people to take the responsibility for six months with the aim to find the people for the next board! This was a challenge as I was already a bit out of the every-day work of the Academy.
Golden Oldie: Tell us a funny story of your AEGEE time.
Maria Nomikou: Hmmmm, I have a lot! When I was going to the European School 1 in Beograd I was 19 years old and my dad didn’t like my decision to go to Serbia by train. So as generally I am a drama queen I wrote a revolutionary letter – that my dad still has next to his bed – telling him that I will do what my heart tells me. I left it on my bed and I left home at 6 o’clock in the morning while everyone was sleeping! Some hours later I was with Michalis from AEGEE-Peiraius in the train reading Frederico Garcia Lorca and laughing like hell. My dad called me and then Michalis decided to make the sound of a ship and my dad thought I am in the wagon with the animals. The next day he asked me when I go back – and he bought me a plane ticket. Still, although I keep telling him that it was just Michalis, he believes I travelled with the animals!
Golden Oldie: Great story! What was your favourite AEGEE event?
Maria Nomikou: My European School 1 in Beograd I guess… It was sooooo… I don’t know… it was somehow like “young Maria discovering the world looking at the river from a beautiful bridge in Beograd…”
Golden Oldie: Nice! What were your best and worst moments in AEGEE?
Maria Nomikou: The worst moment was when I found out the there were people against Burcu Becermen as honorary member of AEGEE. I wanted to scream. Generally the worst moments were when people were so competitive in a negative way. Best moments… when I was sitting together with AEGEE friends, planning our events.
Golden Oldie: Which AEGEE member impressed you a lot?
Maria Nomikou: Burcu Becermen.
Golden Oldie: Any things you regret that you haven’t done them in AEGEE?
Maria Nomikou: Not really.
Golden Oldie: Did AEGEE influence your career decision?
Maria Nomikou: It influenced a bit my career in the field of youth training. It gave me many opportunities inside and outside AEGEE. AEGEE nominated me three times for the Pool of Trainers of the European Youth Forum and I appreciate it a lot. Now I am still working from time to time as a freelance trainer although I am going towards a bit different direction.
Golden Oldie: What are you doing now as main occupation?
Maria Nomikou: I am working in the field of production of theatre and music performances. I am a freelancer. Today for example I signed my contract with the Greek Festival for the third year so I will spend my summer there!
Golden Oldie: As a child, what did you dream to be your future job after growing up?
Maria Nomikou: Actress or wife of the prime minister.
Golden Oldie: Did you manage to become the prime minister’s wife with five children around?
Maria Nomikou (smiles): I am not married and I don’t have five children. I once dreamed I had two children that I forgot in a cafe and I got so scared…
Golden Oldie: Which languages do you speak?
Maria Nomikou: Greek, English, Spanish and I manage to survive in France as well.
Golden Oldie: Where do you live now? What do you like/dislike about your city?
Maria Nomikou: I live in Ilioupolis, a suburb of Athens, and it is the worst period to live here due to the well known crisis. I like very much the sun, Ilioupolis means Sun City, and I hate that I need to drive for at least 30 minutes to meet a friend or go to work.
Golden Oldie: What are your best and least liked cities?
Maria Nomikou: I love Zaragoza. I hate Larisa – it is in Greece… I spent a bad New Year’s Eve during my tour with the production of Holiday on Ice.
Golden Oldie: What is the furthest place you ever went to?
Maria Nomikou: Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom – they are about the same distance from Athens.
Golden Oldie: Which country would you like to visit in the near future?
Maria Nomikou: Argentina.
Golden Oldie: What are your hobbies?
Maria Nomikou: I sing a lot and I dance. And I dream all the time – even when I am awake.
Golden Oldie: What are you most afraid of?
Maria Nomikou: Loneliness.
Golden Oldie: What’s never missing in your fridge?
Maria Nomikou: Eggs, because I hate them and my mom keeps bringing some when she comes from our country house. I don’t eat them so I simply have them there.
Golden Oldie: How would you describe yourself in five keywords?
Maria Nomikou: Smiling, spoiled, impatient, energetic, not adventurous.
