Tell us a few words about how you got started in magic…
It all started in 2004 when I was 12 and my father and I happened to visit Kelmi’s magic shop in the center of Athens. There, Mr. Xenophon showed me my first magic trick, “Grandmother’s Necklace,” and I was very impressed. However, my real fascination began in 2006, when my family and I went on a trip to Thailand. I was fourteen, and that was when I saw close-up magic for the first time in a shopping mall. From then on, I became fanatically interested in the art of magic. So, we could say that it all started with a “magical spark.” At 15, I learned about the Academy of Magicians in Nea Ionia, which has supported me in everything I’ve done since then, and I’ve presented many seminars there, including today’s.
What fascinates you about the art of magic?
I think the main thing that fascinates me about the art of magic is the mystery. The fact that something has happened that you don’t understand how it happened and can’t explain it. It’s a little reminder that nothing is impossible and everything can happen in some way. Of course, the more you engage with the art of magic, the more you discover other elements that will fascinate you. Such as creation, presentation and expression, continuous practice and improvement.
You have presented several of your own performances. Do you single out any of them?
The show I am most proud of is definitely Magic Murder Mystery, as it combines elements of a murder mystery with the art of magic. The audience is invited to find out who the murderer is in the story through clues that appear in a magical way. It has a script, atmosphere, mystery, and, of course, many different magic tricks. I would also include the show “Almost Impossible,” as it represents my entire philosophy and the way I view the art of magic. It focuses much more on honesty and authenticity than on spectacle and impressiveness.
Is cards your favorite magic object, and why?
I think it’s both very easy and very difficult to answer that question. The deck is definitely the magical item with the most possibilities. There is a huge variety of magic effects that you can create with it. On a second level, I think the deck of cards itself has a special charm and hides secrets. There are so many symbols, games of chance, lives and fortunes have been decided by the turn of a card. Finally, I must say that the feeling I get when I start shuffling and handling a deck of cards is something magical that I cannot describe in words.
What is your favorite deck of cards and why do you like it so much?
Unfortunately, my favorite deck of cards is very rare, and from what I’ve noticed, it may have even been discontinued. It’s called Bicycle Vintage Fan Back. It’s the definition of elegance and artistry through simplicity. However, the deck that has won me over and that I now use in my performances, with very few exceptions, is Tally Ho Circle Back. It is also elegant and beautiful, but its quality is what sets it apart. I recommend it unreservedly.
Tell us about the seminar you are presenting at the Academy of Magicians…
The seminar aims, on the one hand, to present my own way of thinking, my ideas, and, of course, routines that I love and want to share with the world, as I use them intensively in my professional career. but also to focus on some theoretical details that I believe make a difference in the creation and presentation of a magical show. I think the great advantage of this seminar is the flexibility of the ideas and the ease of use regardless of the conditions (space, age, time).
What can we expect to see from you in 2026?
The truth is that I am preparing several new shows. The Magic Murder Mystery Dinner Experience in Kallithea is definitely coming very soon. I also aim to present a new personal show using only a deck of cards, which will be called “The Secrets of 52.” There, I will take a deep dive into who Jannos is and what he considers important in life.
If you were told that from now on you could perform only one magic trick, what would it be?
This is perhaps the most difficult question you can ask a magician. However, I think that the Multiple Selection Routine is the ideal answer. A card routine that literally has almost every possible effect you can present. Appearances, disappearances, changes, transfers, mind reading, cards in places they cannot possibly be. If you told me I couldn’t have a deck of cards, I would answer Cups and Balls without a second thought, for almost the same reasons I mentioned earlier.