Diaspora organizations join ceremony honoring Greece’s first governor
Representatives of the Ionian Cultural Federation of America joined Greek officials and diaspora organizations in the municipality of Elliniko–Argyroupoli on February 1 for the unveiling of a statue of Ioannis Kapodistrias and the renaming of the municipal square to “Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias Square.”
The Federation was represented by Vice President Haris Pateroulakis, who conveyed the organization’s congratulations to Mayor Giannis Konstantatos for the initiative. The ceremony was organized by the Municipality of Elliniko–Argyroupoli in collaboration with several cultural organizations, including the Ionian Cultural Federation of America and the World Federation of Kefallonians and Ithacians “Odysseus,” led by Kostas Vangelatos.
Kapodistrias, a diplomat from Corfu who played a central role in the early years of the Greek state after the War of Independence, remains one of the most important figures in modern Greek history.
Residents and visitors gathered in the square for the ceremony, which included remarks about the importance of preserving historical memory and maintaining connections between Greece and the Greek diaspora.
Among those present was Deputy Minister of Island Policy and Member of Parliament for Corfu Stefanos Gikas, whose participation highlighted the continued ties between the Ionian Islands and diaspora communities abroad.
The ceremony was followed by a cultural program and presentations related to the life and work of Kapodistrias.
The unveiling is one of several initiatives connected to the Federation’s 30th anniversary in 2026. Planned events include hosting the Zakynthos Cantadores in New York in May and a collaboration with the Municipality of Nafpaktos for the commemoration of the Battle of Lepanto in October.