Saturday, 14 November 2020
On Thursday, November 12th 2020, Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of The Hellenic Initiative, participated in The THI Annual Gala 2020 which was held virtually.
The Hellenic Initiative, one of the most important organizations of the Greek diaspora, held the Annual Gala 2020, aiming to support people in Greece living in extreme vulnerability due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and managed to raise more than 1.6 million dollars.
On Mrs. Vardinoyannis’ initiative, the Anniversary Year “Thermopylae – Salamis 2020” was honored through the screening of a relevant video during the Annual Gala 2020, aiming at the Greek community abroad to become part of this important national Anniversary.
“I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate Mr. George P. Stamas and Mr. Andrew A. Liveris, as well as the entire Organizing Committee of the event, for the great success of the THI Annual Gala, which was held virtually this year. Joining forces and voices from Greece and the Greek diaspora, they managed to raise a significant amount of money that will be allocated to support vulnerable groups affected by COVID-19. The work of The Hellenic Initiative, where I have the honor to be part of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, has managed to unite Greeks from all over the world, creating a bridge of humanity and solidarity. At the same time, the screening of our Anniversary video at the Virtual Gala of The Hellenic Initiative gave the Greeks of the Greek Diaspora the opportunity to become part of our Celebrations for the 2.500 years of the Battle of Thermopylae and the Naval Battle of Salamis, even from far, filling my heart with deep emotions” Mrs. Vardinoyannis stated after the gala.
It is worth mentioning that the Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis joined the event, as well as the His Beatitude Archbishop Elpidoforos of America, H.E. the Ambassador of the USA to Greece Mr. Geoffrey Pyatt, HRH Princess Tatiana Blatnik, influencial members of the Greek community abroad, such as George Stefanopoulos, Peter Diamandis, but also artists such as Nana Mouskouri, Rita Wilson, Sakis Rouvas, Monica, Marina Satti and Christos Mastoras who contributed to the success of the event.
