The Ionian Confederation celebrated with splendor the 159η Anniversary of the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece at its all-day event on Sunday 28 May 2023. .
At 12.30 p.m. when the events began, a ceremony was held Doxology at the Cathedral of the Metropolis of Athens which was performed on behalf of His Beatitude Archbishop of Athens, Mr. Jerome His Eminence the Archimandrite Preacher Mr. Nektarios Karsiotis.
Then a procession was formed, accompanied by a procession by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens and by flag bearers and paratroopers in traditional costumes from our Islands representing all the Ionian Sea Islands heading to Syntagma to a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier. The procession was followed by a large number of people from our islands, Attica and other regions of our country.
The following laid a wreath on behalf of the Presidency of the Republic Commander Mr. Calliope Poroglou Adjutant of President of the Republic Mr. Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the President of the Ionian Confederation Mr. Anna Alexandratou Delaporte on behalf of the Board and the Cultural Associations of all our Islands, the Director of the National Military Authority (Naval Intelligence) Lieutenant General Mr. Anastasios Halvatzis on behalf of Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Konstantinos Florou, the Vice-Regional Governor of the Central Sector of Athens Mr. Georgios Vlachos on behalf of of the Regional Governor of Attica Mr. George Patouli, the President of the OPANDA Mr. Niki Arabatzi on behalf of the Mayor of Athens Mr. Costas Bakoyannis, the President of the Panhellenic Federation of Cretan Cultural Associations Mr. Manolis Paterakis, the President of the Federation of Dodecanese Associations Mr. John Fragoulis, the President of the Federation of Thessalian Associations «PANTHESSALIKI STEGI» Mr. Stefanos Koutras.
The events were attended and honoured with their presence by Member of Parliament Corfu Mr. Stefanos Gikas, the Vice-Regional Head of Culture and actor, screenwriter, director, lyricist Mr. Harry Romas, the Special Adviser Mr Evangelos Bamihas representing the Mayor Central Corfu and the Peloponnese Islands Mr. Meropi Hydraiou, Mr. Anthony Giannoulakis Deputy C. Secretary of the Panhellenic Federation of Cretan Cultural Associations.
In the afternoon of the same day at 7.00 pm at the Literary Association «PARNASSOS» of Athens was successfully held the great Event for the 159th Anniversary of the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece.
The event opened with a welcome and greeting from President of the Ionian Confederation Mrs. Anna Alexandratou Delaporta, who, among other things, gave a brief historical review on the occasion of the anniversary and gave greetings on behalf of the Board. Evangelia Delaporta.
Follow the Solemn of the Day with the theme: «IONIAN - IONIAN IDENTITY AND PATRIOTISM OF THE IONIAN PEOPLE» by Mr. Leontsini Georgios Professor Emeritus of Modern and European History at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
Then the Program was accompanied by Artistic Bands from all our Islands. The choirs and dance groups that participated in the Programme were the following:
- The Choir «Faiakon Odi» of Federation Associations of Corfiots of Attica «JOHN KAPODISTRIAS» conducted by Ioannis Theodoropoulos presented Traditional songs of Corfu, Eptanisa songs by Fotis Aleporos and Miki Theodorakis, accompanied by traditional instruments.
- The Choir of Lefkada Association Attica the «HOLY BLACK» conducted by John Hammer presented songs Traditional, songs to music by D. Grapsas, G. Markopoulos, D. Georgakis and the Hymn of the Radicals. Accompanied on the piano by Alexander Farris.
- The Dance Group of Kythiraikos Association of Athens presented dances of Kythera and other Ionian Dances, closing with Kythera Ball. Dance teacher Dionysis Katsoulis.
- The Dance Group of Union of Zakynthians «Saint Dionysius» danced traditional Greek and Zakynthian dances, closing with the «Levantine» dance of the mountainous Zakynthos. Dance teacher the John Roussian.
- Η Mixed Choir of the Association of Farakladeshans «THE HAPPINESS» Cephalonia with Maestro Christina Rokkou presented Ionian serenades, songs of Kefalonia and Ithaca by Charilaos Chorafas and Dimitris Kalkanis, Thanos Mikroutsikos. Accompanied on the piano by Stamatia Skalanaki.
On the events also attended and honoured with their presence representatives of from the artistic and scientific field, the local Government, Presidents, Vice Presidents and Board Members of Cultural Associations and Associations of our Islands and others Cultural Bodies of our country.
The Ionian Confederation is proud that all our Islands together celebrated and honored the 159th anniversary of the Ionian Islands. η Anniversary of the Union of Ionian Islands with Greece and once again proved that they keep alive our Tradition and our History!
For the Board of Directors
THE PRESIDENT
ANNA ALEXANDRATOU-DELLAPORTE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
STELLA SARAKINI-MENTZELOPOULOU
