ATHENS – The East Mediterranean Business and Culture Alliance (EMBCA) has extended its mission of presenting the best events highlighting Hellenic history and culture in New York and on the Internet to the Hellenic Homeland. A live panel discussion was held on March 21 titled, ‘Ioannis Kapodistrias, The Governor, and the Making of the Hellenic Nation’.

The program, which was held at the Demos Center in Athens’ beloved Plaka neighborhood was preceded and followed by cocktail hour where the audience enjoyed speaking with the panelists. The Demos Center’s Director Mary Cardaras and her team make it a special event for those who packed Center’s main hall.

The distinguished panel was introduced by Lou Katsos, EMBCA’s Founder and President, who also moderated the discussion. The presenters included Giorgios Sklavounos, author/Sociologist/Economist/Historical Researcher, Pierre Ducrey of the University of Lausanne, and distinguished Film Director/Screenwriter Giannis Smaragdis, whose prior films featured the stories of El Greco, Nikos Kazantzakis, and Constantine Cavafy among other greats of Greek history.

Prof. Ilias Giarenis, Vice Rector Ionian University was unable to participate due to illness.

Ioannis Kapodistrias, a prominent Hellenic and International statesman of the 19th century, left an indelible mark on the course of Hellenic as well as European history.

Professor Ducrey spoke about Kapostrias’ role important role in the history of Switzerland. He secured Swiss unity, independence and neutrality and help develop a new federal constitution for the 19 cantons that were the component states of Switzerland. For his contributions, the Swiss has erected a number of statues in their country, but Katsos and the other presenters emphasized that for various reasons, the Hellenes seem not to fully value and appreciate him, despite his vital efforts in support of the independence of Hellas.

Katsos never misses an opportunity to stress the importance of properly honoring Kapodistrias both in the Homeland and the Diaspora. He strongly supports Smaragdis’ latest film project, a movie about the life, struggles, and achievements of Kapodistrias. The script has been completed,  filming has begun on Corfu, and the team is in the process of raising funds in Greece and the Diaspora for its completion.

Born in Corfu, Kapodistrias embarked on a remarkable career that would culminate in his role as the first head of state of independent Hellas nduring the tumultuous years of the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars.

As the first Governor of Hellas (1827-1831), Kapodistrias faced the Herculean task of nation-building, and his assassination in 1831 in Nafplio reflected the complex challenges of nation-building in a post-revolutionary context. His vision of a centralized state clashed with the aspirations of local leaders, and political opposition grew.  His death highlighted the struggle between centralization and regional autonomy, a tension that would persist in Hellenic politics for years to come.