When: Thursday, March 21, 2024 | 17:30-18:30 (Wine & Cheese)

                                                                   Program begins at 19:00

Where: The Demos Center@17B Ipitou Str., Plaka, Athens

Hosted by: The Demos Center, at Deree – The American College of Greece, part of the Institute for Hellenic Culture and the Liberal Arts

Moderated by:

Ilias “Lou” Katsos

Eastern Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance (EMBCA) 

New York City

About the Event

Esteemed speakers will delve into Ioannis Kapodistrias’ diplomatic finesse, administrative acumen, and cultural contributions, illuminating his pivotal role in shaping the Greek nation-state and leaving an indelible mark on European diplomacy during the 19th century. Through discussions on his efforts to secure Hellenic independence, implement governance reforms, and foster national identity, the event aims to highlight Kapodistrias’ enduring impact on Greek history and his significance in the broader context of European politics.

About the Panelists

Professor Pierre Ducrey is a Swiss archeologist and professor. He was a foreign member of the French School of Athens from 1967 to 1970, director of the Swiss School of Archeology in Greece from 1982 to 2006 and director of the Hardt Foundation for the Study of Classical Antiquity since 2010. A recipient of the Order of Phoenix in 1991 by the Hellenic Government he received an Honorary Doctorate from the University Athens in 2000.

Professor Ilias Giarenis was born in Athens and is an Archaeologist, Byzantinist, Professor of Ancient History Pierce Ducrey of the University of Lausanne, and Vice Rector at Ionian University. He has written on the empire of Nicaea, on the empire of Trebizond, on the fragmented Byzantine World after 1204, on the Holy Face, and on the Byzantine author and clergyman Nikolaos Mesarites. He has co-edited collective volumes on the scholar and cardinal Bessarion, and on Scholars and Scholarship in Byzantium.

Dr. Georgios Sklavounos was born in Corfu and studied at the University of Piraeus. He holds a master’s degree in Sociology from Georgia State University and continued his studies there in sociology at the doctoral level. Dr. Sklavounos has worked on the issues of sustainable local and regional development, social exclusion, survival and assimilation of ethnic cultures, national cultural identity and consciousness, European Philhellenism and Anti-Hellenism. His articles have been published extensively in the entire spectrum of the Greek daily and periodical press. He has published two books about Kapodistrias: The Unknown Capodistrias and Ioannis Kapodistrias: Preparing the Revolution.

Giannis Smaragdis is a celebrated film director and screenwriter. He was born in Crete and studied cinema in Greece and France. His first short film was “Two Three Things…” which received the first prize at the Athens Film Festival and a Special Mention at the Montreal Film Festival. The director is in production on a film based on the life of Ioannis Kapodistrias, entitled The Governor. Among his most significant feature films are Kazantzakis (2017), God Loves Caviar (2007), El Greco (2007), Cavafy (1996).

For more information, please contact the Director of The Demos Center, Dr. Mary Cardaras @ [email protected]