As of this week, Shanghai is home to a new Greek cultural centre, Hellas House.
The impressive hub, founded by Hellas Group, was inaugurated on Wednesday by Greece’s Minister of Tourism, Elena Kountoura.
Hellas Group, founded by CEO Pavlos Kontomichalos, is made up of a team of companies whose aim is to promote Greece around the world.
Their quest has culminated into Hellas House, which has been designed to be an epicentre of the best of Greek culture, hospitality, gastronomy and tourism in Shanghai.
The opening event was well-attended by official guests, including Ambassador of Greece to China Leonidas Rokanas, Shanghai’s Deputy Head of Tourism Weng Huahian and Secretary General of Shanghai’s tourism office Cheng Meihong, amongst others.
“Right here, at Hellas House, you can indulge in the very best of Greek culture, hospitality and gastronomy … It entices sophisticated Chinese travellers to visit our beautiful country,” said Minister Kountoura during the ceremony, and went on to acknowledge the new era of relations between Greece and China, which look to be going from strength to strength.
Mr Kontomichalos also gave a speech, and acknowledged the positives surrounding the Greek experience, which he said “empowers a healthier and happier life”. He added that the centre would serve as a source of inspiration for visitors, where they could share in and gain knowledge on everything related to Greek culture.
The impressive site of Hellas House is a five-storey 1936 Shanghai villa. Featuring both local and European influence, it has been refurbished to include Hellenic art throughout.
Find out more about Hellas House here.