Events for celebrating Ioannis Kapodistrias’ memory organised by the Holy Metropolis of Corfu
Four events dedicated to the memory of the first Governor of Greece Ioannis Kapodistrias of Corfu and in the 200 years since the beginning of the revolution of 1821 were organized by the Holy Metropolis of Corfu, in collaboration with the UNESCO Ionian Center and the support of local institutions such as Islands, the Municipality of Central Corfu, the Ionian University, the Regional Directorate of Education of the Ionian Islands, the Flagineio Cultural Center and the Corfu Choir Association. All the events took place in the Holy Monastery of Platytera, where the tomb of the governor is.
The main event was the official memorial service held on the morning of Monday, September 27, 2021, by His Eminence the Metropolitan of Corfu, Paxos and the Diapontia Islands, Mr. Nektarios, with the participation of flag bearers from schools in the area. Mr. Nektarios stressed that the ruler of Kapodistrias set an example of patriotism and faith in God, with a vision of Greece that would be truly independent and called on younger and older people to imitate him. From the side of the educational community, the director of the 1st High School of Corfu, Mr. Spyros Pachis, spoke.
In the afternoon of the same day there was an event on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the revolution of 1821. The event was opened by the Metropolitan of Corfu Mr. Nektarios, who urged us to remember that the struggle of 1821 was for a free Greece, based on faith and patriotism, while the fighters gave their lives so that the young Greeks could step on our feet, not dispelling our tradition, but relying on it. Corfu is proud of its child and we must all honor his memory, fighting on the road he paved. This must be the perspective of Hellenism. With models like Kapodistrias, to keep our freedom in a world that binds us to the denial of patriotism and faith in God.
Afterwards, a round table discussion was held with participants the professor of the Law School of the University of Athens Mr. Spyros Flogaitis, the president of the Municipal Council of Central Corfu Mr. Dimitris Metallinos, Mr. George Sklavounos, historian-researcher, and Fr. Themistoklis Mourtzanos General Prelatic Warden of the Holy Metropolis. The Corfu MP Mr. Alekos Avlonitis and the Mayor of Central Corfu Ms. Meropi Hydraiou participated in the discussion.
On the afternoon of Sunday, September 2, 2021, a round table discussion was held on the topic: “Honoring in practice Ioannis Kapodistrias”. The well-known director Mr. Giannis Smaragdis participated, who will soon start shooting his new film about Kapodistrias, the Vice Rector of the Ionian University Ms. Christina Banou, the President of the Corfu Medical-Surgery Company Ms. Maria Mandyla- Kousouni, Mr. George Sklavounos, historian-researcher. The Ode to Ioannis Kapodistrias was presented within the framework of the event, with music by the composer Mr. Spyros Rouvas, lyrics by Mr. George Sklavounos and a musical performance by a brass quintet. Mr. Andreas Gousis sang.
On September 15, 2021 there was another event with the theme “Kapodistrias as a personality, as a moral and spiritual entity”, with a speaker Mr. George Sklavounos and a presentation of the Ode to Kapodistrias, with the same contributors, but with a song by Mr. Panteli Kontos.
Finally, in Archontariki of the Monastery there was an exhibition on “The gaze of the Struggle (Ioannis Kapodistrias)”, with works by contemporary Corfiots mainly painters dedicated to the great Greek, curated by Mrs. Maria Melenti.
