Two unique evenings dedicated to Greek Culture were enjoyed by those who attended the events on Friday, August 30th, and Saturday, August 31st, 2024, at the iconic Castelli Mansion in Kampos, Chios.
The fragrant orchard and the historic estate were filled with guests who listened with deep emotion to the distinguished speakers discussing Chios, Greece, and its Culture and History.
Friday, August 30th, 2024: Honoring Nikolaos Vafias
Friday was dedicated to the tribute paid by the Region of the North Aegean (RNA) to Nikolaos Vafias for his significant contribution to Greek Culture.
The Governor of the North Aegean, Konstantinos Moutzouris, welcomed the attendees. Greetings were addressed by:
His Eminence the Metropolitan of Chios, Markos.
The Deputy Minister, Sofia Voultepsi.
The British Ambassador, Matthew Lodge.
The Member of Parliament for Chios, Notis Mitarakis.
The President of the Academy of Athens, Stamatis Krimizis.
The event continued with a speech by Georgios Babiniotis, former Rector of the University of Athens (EKPA) and Professor Emeritus of Linguistics, on the topic: “The contribution of the Greek language to European Civilization.”
Businessman Alexandros Zymnis moved the audience while speaking about his village, Ai Giorgis Sykousis, and his friend Nikos Vafias, sharing personal experiences and stories from their shared past.
Michalis Moschos, Philologist and Historian, referred to the Vafias family’s legacy and their contribution to the restoration of the historic Holy Temples of Ai Giorgis Sykousis and Agios Isidoros.
In an atmosphere of great emotion, the Governor, Konstantinos Moutzouris, presented Nikos Vafias with an honorary award. Finally, Georgios-Stylianos Prevelakis, Professor Emeritus of Geopolitics at the Sorbonne University, spoke on the historical and geographical entity of the Aegean Archipelago.
The event was coordinated and presented by journalist Adriana Paraskevopoulou, followed by a musical epilogue featuring piano and harp.
Saturday, August 31st, 2024: Honoring Professor Nikos Stampolidis
On Saturday, an event was held at the same venue to honor Nikos Stampolidis, Professor of Archaeology and Director of the Acropolis Museum, for his 40-year scientific career.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of H.E. the Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Ito Koichi, who addressed the audience, and the British Ambassador, Matthew Lodge.
Nikos Sifounakis spoke about the monumental 40-year scientific work of Professor Stampolidis.
The Professor himself captivated and moved the audience with his references to the Parthenon Sculptures. In his speech, delivered in the presence of the British Ambassador, he spoke about the UNIFICATION OF THE PARTHENON SCULPTURES, detailing the historical facts surrounding their “violent and destructive” removal from Greece, and the anticipation of their return and restoration to their natural home
The prominent Greek actress, author, and director Mimi Denisi, in the presence of the Japanese Ambassador, highlighted Japan’s decisive role in saving the inhabitants of Smyrna during the Catastrophe, noting that the first ship to rush to their aid was Japanese.
She then delivered a moving reading of an unpublished letter from a Chian survivor of the Holocaust addressed to a European aristocrat.
The letter described the unspeakable tragedy experienced by the historic island, which helped bring the Genocide to international attention and ignited the Philhellenic Movement even before the works of Delacroix.
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