Nana Mouskouri

“When you want something very dearly, you make the time.”

“I was born a singer. I need to do that.”

“For my convalescence, I had to exercise my voice only with vowels. It is a medical rule after a long loss of voice.”

“How you looked was not important. It was what you did and how you did it. Decide to do it and then do it the best way you can.”

“The secret is to cook the aubergines the day before and let them dry of all the oil they drank in cooking. When you cook aubergine, they eat a lot of oil. It can be very heavy.”

“I think sometimes you are born with a song.”

“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.”

“One of the most wonderful memories in my life was when I sang at the Opera House in Sydney. I will never forget that. It is one of the most beautiful Houses I have ever sung in my life.”

“When I was singing, everybody liked me.”

“It's nice to look good, but the most important thing is to be you.”

“I thought it was respectful to each country to sing in their language.”

“UNICEF has made the most rewarding thing that I have ever done in my life.”

“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.”

“When I was very young I was the ugly duckling. I had a lot of complexes. My sister was wonderful and I was nothing.”