Yanis Varoufakis traveled to Moscow to speak at the annual BRICS+ conference, but one unexpected moment drew even more attention than his appearance did—during an intermission, the former Greek finance minister grooved to a techno hit centered around his name.
The song, which continuously loops the words “Yanis Varoufakis,” has gone viral in Russia, especially among younger listeners. It has become an unlikely fixture in the country’s club scene, giving Varoufakis an unusual kind of musical afterlife on the dance floor.
Guess it was always going to happen… Yanis Varoufakis dancing at a conference in Moscow to the viral techno track about himself, made by Russian DJ Sasha Melior. https://t.co/GEsAbFGz2d pic.twitter.com/92OUDPjLHW
— Brian McDonald (@BrianMcDonaldIE) April 6, 2026
Varoufakis techno hit was created with AI
Moscow-based DJ Sasha Melior created the track with the help of artificial intelligence. Despite its minimal concept, repeating only two words, the song has gained significant traction in Russia’s electronic music scene.
Zoomers appear to have embraced it most passionately, drawn to internet-driven music trends and playful, highly repetitive club tracks.
An unscripted moment at the BRICS+ conference
During a pause in his conference schedule, the song filled the venue. Varoufakis, who also serves as secretary of the Greek party MeRA25, joined young people gathered around him and danced along, seeming to enjoy the moment and the surreal experience of hearing a viral track that revolves around his name. The moment breathed new life into a song that was already popular online and in clubs.
A viral track repeating just two words,“Yanis Varoufakis,” is spreading across Russia's clubland.
Created by a Moscow DJ, the tune has taken off among zoomers, with critics linking its appeal to a revival of 90s/early 2000s techno. The irony is that most listeners likely have… pic.twitter.com/aTOwiqK590
— Brian McDonald (@BrianMcDonaldIE) March 20, 2026
How the Yanis Varoufakis techno hit went viral
Irish journalist Brian McDonald, who lives and works in Russia, helped bring the track to wider attention through a viral post. He attributed the song’s success to the revival of 1990s and early-2000s techno aesthetics.
He also highlighted the irony behind its popularity. Many clubbers dancing to it, he said, probably have little idea who Varoufakis actually is. They simply enjoy the rhythm and the sound of the name itself.
However, the former Greek Finance Minister was less impressed by the reception he received during a discussion on the sidelines of the BRICS+ when he was welcomed on stage with a display of fireworks. “This is ridicoulous”, he was heard saying.
@ellada24gr Η ιδιαίτερη είσοδος του Γιάνη Βαρουφάκη σε οικονομικό forum στην Μόσχα #greeknews #newsfeed #ellada24 #foryou #foryoupage #greektiktok #tiktokgreece #tiktokgr #fyp #ελληνικοτικτοκ #φοργιου
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