A packed hall in Athens and a strong message of extroversion, with Christos Marafatsos calling for the Thermopylae Forum in Washington.
With powerful figures from the fields of history, culture, entrepreneurship and strategic thinking, the Thermopylae Forum sent a message of continuity, vision and next steps for the exploitation of a global symbol.
The evening began with the screening of an impressive video about Thermopylae, with Danae Makri of Design Ambassador as the Creative Director and Elias Kletsas of Alphafilmworks as the Videographer & Editor.
The greeting was delivered by Dimitris Konstantopoulos, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Thermopylae Forum, setting the tone for an evening that was not limited to the symbolic dimension of the place, but highlighted the need for the region to acquire a strong plan of extroversion and substance.
Concluding his speech, he summed up the spirit of the initiative with the characteristic phrase: “At the Thermopylae Forum, we envisioned it, we believe it and we will do it.”
In his opening speech on the topic of “The Greek Diaspora as a Guardian and Ambassador of Greek cultural heritage”, Christos Marafatsos, Advisor to US President Donald Trump and close associate of US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, emphasized the international dimension of cultural heritage and the importance of connecting with the Greek diaspora.
In fact, in a particularly meaningful and symbolic intervention, he invited the Thermopylae Forum to Washington and declared himself a staunch supporter of the vision, thus signaling the dynamic perspective of extroversion that the initiative can acquire.
As part of the event, Alexandros Giannelos, member of the Board of Directors of Thermopylae Forum, presented Christos Marafatsos with a commemorative sculpture, as a sign of honor and recognition of his contribution and support to the vision of the initiative.
The historical dimension of the discussion was of particular importance, with Roderick Beaton, Emeritus Professor of Modern Greek & Byzantine History, Language and Literature at King’s College London, shedding light on the relationship of the Battle of Thermopylae with Herodotus and the very beginning of historical narrative.
The perspective of the future was captured in the speech of Nikolaos Koutsianas, founder of Apivita and Symbeeosis, who approached Thermopylae as an idea, value and possibility of a modern revival of its symbolism.
In a meaningful fire-side chat, Stavros Benos, President of the DIAZOMA Association and former Minister of Culture, together with Faye Makantasi, Research Director of diaNEOsis, highlighted critical parameters for how major places of memory can acquire a strategic role in contemporary Greece.
The event was coordinated by Christos Stamatis, Secretary of the Board of Directors of Thermopylae Forum.
The main conclusion is clear: a public dialogue with seriousness, visibility and perspective began in Athens, which can only have a positive development for our country, provided it continues with consistency and collaboration. Because Thermopylae is not just a battle. It is ideas, it is values, it is emotions, it is people. And when a symbol of such scope acquires a modern direction, then Phthiotis can claim the role that is truly its due.
