Thermopylae Forum 2026 EN - Thermopylae Forum

From Dialogue to Action

Saturday, May 16, 2026

HOURS: 10:00 - 17:00

Thermopylae Forum 2026

The Thermopylae Forum began as an initiative created with the aim of highlighting Thermopylae not only as a historic landmark, but also as a modern point of reference for public dialogue, development, and shaping the future.

For us, Thermopylae is not simply a historical event. It represents a concept connected to a way of life, collective responsibility, resilience, and the choice to keep moving forward.

The Thermopylae Forum, taking place on Saturday, May 16, from 10:00 to 17:00, under the central theme “From Dialogue to Action”, aims to transform ideas, collaborations, and public dialogue into meaningful initiatives with a real impact on both the local community and society as a whole.

Forum Program

Speakers

His Eminence Metropolitan Symeon

His Eminence Metropolitan Symeon, Holy Metropolis of Phthiotis

Michael Erik Kurilla

Retired U.S. Army General, former Commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)

Andrew P. Poppas

Retired U.S. Army General, former Commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)

Michael Karloutsos, Sr

Country Manager for Greece, Executive Director of IRC Athens, and Vice President of Global Government Relations at Hard Rock International

Dr. Leonidas Tzonis

President of the Board (CEO), Hellenic American Union

Fanis Spanos

Regional Governor of Central Greece, Secretary General of the Union of Greek Regions (ENPE)

Panourgias Papaioannou

Mayor of Lamia

Christos Karagiannis

Vice Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA)

George Karagiannidis

Professor of Digital Telecommunications Systems, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Christos Staikouras

Member of Parliament for Phthiotis, New Democracy

Haris Labropoulos

Chair of the Hellenic Development Bank of Investments

Dimitris Koutsopoulos

CEO Deloitte Greece

Ioannis Oikonomou

Member of Parliament for Phthiotis, New Democracy

Jordan Chasapopoulos

Editor of “Vradyni” newspaper, TV Presenter at MEGA

Sotirios Breyiannos

Vice President of the Organizing Committee of the Thermopylae Forum

Dimitris K. Karamanis

Mayor of Levadeia

Angela Karageorgou

Communication Strategist, Founder & CEO, On Point Communications & PR

Viktoras Montzelli

Editor-in-Chief, Newsbeast.gr

Georgios Kotronias

Member of Parliament for Phthiotis, New Democracy

Antonis Papadopoulos

Head of Growth and Strategic Partnerships, Break Even Consulting

Zina Koutselini

Journalist, TV Presenter

Manolis Sfakianakis

Lieutenant General (ret.) of the Hellenic Police, Cybersecurity Expert

Konstantia Dimoglidou

Police Captain, Press Spokesperson of the Hellenic Police

George Tentes

General Manager, Green2Sustain

Ioannis Sarakiotis

Independent Member of Parliament for Phthiotis

Chrysostomos Karellis

President of the Chamber of Fthiotida

Danai Makri

Head of Strategy and Content, The Design Ambassador

Constantinos Patiris

Founder & CEO NEPA Economic Consulting

Christos P. Rentifis

Architect Engineer, AUTh

Yiannis Theodorakopoulos

General Director of the Lamia Municipal Water and Sewerage Company

Eleni Beniata

Regional Director of Primary & Secondary Education of Central Greece

Stavroula Spyropoulou

Psychologist – Helplines Supervisor- Coordinator of the National Center for Abuse and Exploitation

Peter Kounouklas

Archaeologist, Ephorate of Antiquities of Phthiotis and Evrytania

Maria Liouta

Legal Advisor to the Minister of Digital Governance

Christos Stamatis

CEO & Co-Founder, Stevia Hellas – Secretary of the Board, Thermopylae Forum

Kiriakos Karagiannis

Journalist, Editor-in-Chief, LamiaReport.gr

George Papastamoulos

Editor-in-Chief, MAG24.gr – Director

Dr. Alexandros I. Yiannelos

President, Hellenic Institute of Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Development (IEA)

Dimitris Konstantopoulos

Journalist – Chairman of the Board, Thermopylae Forum

“What will we preserve, in our own time?”

The Battle of Thermopylae is not just a page in history. It is duty, it is sacrifice, it is freedom, it is an inner limit, it is a moral stance, it is a choice