Yiannis Xanthoulis was born in Alexandroupoli to parents who were refugees from Eastern Thrace. He studied journalism and theatre costume. He has written plays, prose and children’s books. His work has been translated into numerous languages. Since 1982 he has written a Saturday column in Eleftherotypia daily newspaper, and since 1989 he has had two satirical programmes on SKAI radio. He is member of the Hellenic Society of Authors and the Journalists’ Union of Athens Daily Newspapers.