“Ioannis Kapodistrias” honorary events conclude in Nafplio

Events to commemorate the 185th anniversary of taking up office by Ioannis Kapodistrias as Greece’s first governor concluded in the port town of Nafplio, eastern Peloponnese, Tuesday evening, organised by the Centre of European Studies and Humanities “Ioannis Capodistrias,” the interregional public foundation Centre of Russian National Glory (CRNG) and the Foundation of St. Andrew the First-Called (AFF), in collaboration with the Municipality of Nafplio.

The events were attended by a number of officials from both Greece and Russia, including Greece’s Deputy Culture and Sports minister Giannis Adrianos and the president of Russian Railways and Chairman of the CRNG and the FAA Vladimir-Ivanovic Yakunin.

In a speech, Adrianos noted that that “Russians and Greeks honour the memory of the first governor of free Greece and a prominent diplomat of the Russian Empire, Ioannis Kapodistrias, here at Nafplio, the place of Kapodistrias’ highest triumph and tormenting sacrifice.”

He also welcomed the Russian delegation on behalf of the Greek government and Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

"The emblematic personality of Ioannis Kapodistrias is an enduring bridge of friendship between the two peoples," he said.

He also pointed out that "Greece-Russia relations are at a particularly good level with prospects of increasing improvement and deepening" and added that "the life and work of Kapodistrias act as resonant reminder of the constructive role international relations and diplomacy can play.”

On his part, Yakunin noted that Russians and Greeks were not united only by Orthodoxy but also by the motto Kapodistrias followed: "faith and honor," and this motto, he said, “I think it is appropriate also in our time.”