The Panambrian Conference began at the ‘Hellenic Cosmos’ Cultural Center of the Foundation of the Hellenic World, with the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, in attendance and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew delivering the keynote address to officially open the event. The conference, accompanied by various events and activities, will span today and tomorrow.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew reflected on Imbros and Tenedos, expressing optimism and concern for the future of Imbros. He highlighted the themes of “nostalgia, return, and opportunities for those who wish to return, those who have never left, and those who have resettled in recent years.”
He emphasized the importance of preserving the spiritual culture of Imbros, stating that its future lies with those who carry its spirit in their hearts. He discussed the shared journey and fate of the two islands up to the present day, noting the challenges faced by the residents who became refugees in various countries.
The Patriarch also praised those who remained in Imbros during difficult times, acknowledging their contributions to preserving the island’s heritage. He mentioned the reopening of Greek diaspora schools in 2013 as a significant development and listed six main factors that will shape the future of Imbros.
The Imbrian intellectual and business community was highlighted in the discussion. It was emphasized that those settling on the island must adapt to modern economic, technological, social, and cultural conditions while preserving the ‘spirit of Imbros.’ The contributions of Imbrian associations in Athens and Thessaloniki were praised, with gratitude expressed for their interest in Imbros and Tenedos.
Representatives from the government, including Deputy Foreign Minister for Diaspora Greeks Giorgos Kotsiras and Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports Zeta Makri, delivered addresses at the conference on Imbros and Tenedos. Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos stressed the importance of maintaining the Greek presence on the islands.
The conference, organized by the Imbrian Association in collaboration with the Imbrian Union of Macedonia-Thrace and the Tenedos Association ‘Tennis,’ aims to increase the Greek population on Imbros, especially students of Greek minority schools, and promote sustainable economic development. Under the auspices of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the initiative seeks to build a prosperous future for the islands.
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