On Wednesday evening, 18 enthusiastic participants from the first youth camp in Attica, accompanied by its President Hellenic Community of Melbourne (HCL)Vassilis Papastergiadis, the Vice President Dr. Dimitri Bosinaki, the Member of the Board of Directors of ECM, Anastassi Sgardeli, and member of the staff of ECM, Margarita Smith, had the honor of meeting the Regional Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalia.
During the meeting, the Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias welcomed the group, stating: “You are all ambassadors. You will return to Australia and share your experiences with your friends. Our program for you is rich in culture and history. I can officially announce, in the presence of Vassilis Papastergiadis, that this cultural excursion will take place annually in collaboration with Greek Community of Melbourne. When Vassilis proposed this program to me last year, I did not hesitate to support this initiative. We have brought you the best tour guides to help you explore the history and culture. Attica is the largest region of Greece, with 45% of the population and 48% of the country’s GDP. Now you are part of the history of this vibrant area.”
District Governor Nikos Hardalias took the time to personally discuss with each student, asking them to share their thoughts and experiences:
Sophia expressed her enthusiasm for the multitude of program activities.
Grigoris shared his excitement about the experience so far.
Alexis mentioned his appreciation for the Greek sun and beautiful weather.
Jake found the visit to the Acropolis riveting.
Nick described the trip as a great opportunity.
Jacques, who is visiting Greece for the first time, expressed his admiration for the Acropolis.
Alexandra noted that the museum and exposure to Greek culture were her favorite elements of the experience.
Amelia said she loved the food, especially the pasticcio, and was looking forward to the upcoming visit to Delphi.
Angeliki praised the delicious food and the comfort of the accommodation.
Zoe expressed her gratitude for the whole experience, noting that everything was amazing.
Evi is excited about the opportunity to learn about the history of Greece, the perfect weather and how exciting the program was.
Stefanos mentioned that the Acropolis was his favorite place so far.
The Vice President of ECM, Dr. Dimitris Bosinakispraised the students for their dedication and emphasized the importance of the program: “As a second-generation Greek, I know firsthand how important it is to maintain close ties with our homeland. This youth camp offers a unique opportunity to explore not only the rich history of Greece, but also to experience modern Greece. What impresses me most is the dedication of these young people. Each of them has taken this opportunity to delve into our culture, traditions and history. I see future leaders in this room — young people who will keep alive the legacy of Hellenism in Australia, keeping our tradition alive for generations to come. I couldn’t be more proud of how much each student has embraced this journey.”
In closing, ECM President Vassilis Papastergiadis expressed his gratitude to the Regional Governor: “We are extremely fortunate to have a Regional Governor who so generously embodies the spirit of hospitality — a value that is an integral part of our Greek heritage. It is a privilege to be here today and to see District Governor Nikos Hardalia take the time to listen to the experiences of each student. This initiative is a great opportunity for participants to deepen their ties with Greece in general. It provides access to a side of Greece that few tourists see, and I am particularly proud that ECM is working with the Regional Governor on this initiative. I am thrilled to hear that this program will now be held annually, ensuring that many more young people from the diaspora will have the opportunity to connect with their heritage in such a meaningful way.”
As the meeting drew to a close, Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias confirmed his commitment to continue supporting and promoting this important cultural program in the future.
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