Eugenia Mitrakas has been awarded the highest distinction by the Centre for Ecumenical Hellenism (Melathron Oikoumenikos Hellenismos) in recognition of her lifelong contribution to the global Greek diaspora and the international esteem with which she represents Australia.
The award was presented during a major commemorative event marking the Centre’s 40th anniversary, held last Monday, at the War Museum in central Athens.
The evening’s theme, “Wherever There Are Greeks – From Tierra del Fuego to Saint Petersburg”, highlighted the Centre’s decades-long efforts to promote Greek history and culture around the world, with a particular emphasis on the memory of Famagusta and the support of schools in remote Greek regions.
Mitrakas received the award from renowned artist and honorary president of the Centre, Mimi Denissi, who praised her longstanding commitment to Hellenism abroad.
“This past Sunday, I received a copy of a newly published collector’s edition book titled Greeks, edited by Manos Stavrianos,” Mitrakas said.
“It is not for sale, but is being distributed to embassies and Greek organisations around the world. It profiles 20 prominent Greeks of the diaspora, only four of whom are women and I am the only one featured from Australia.”
The event took place under the auspices of Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece, who attended the ceremony, underscoring the evening’s national significance and symbolic weight. The night honoured not only memory and diaspora, but also the strengthening of ties between Greece and its most distant communities.
Photo: Centre for Ecumenical Hellenism (gnl.gr)/Supplied
A particularly emotional moment was the reference to the still-occupied and largely abandoned city of Famagusta, described as an “open wound” in modern Hellenism. Journalist Nikos Vafeiadis hosted the evening, while traditional dances were performed by the Apollon Kerateas Cultural Association.
For four decades, the Centre for Ecumenical Hellenism has spearheaded private initiatives of national importance, aiming to preserve, document, and promote Greek history internationally. Since 1996, it has operated under the patronage of Greek Presidents, Archbishops, academic institutions, and local governments, reaching Greek communities in even the most remote corners of the globe through books, cultural missions, and educational programs.
Twelve distinguished figures of Hellenism from five continents were honoured for their cultural and intellectual contributions. Alongside Eugenia Mitrakas, the honourees included:
Nikos Konstantopoulos, President and CEO of CNI ENERGY
Tonis Toumazis, CEO of ATLAS PANTON Group
Yiannis Smaragdis, filmmaker and member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
Konstantinos Tsouroulis, President of the Federation of Cypriots of South Africa
Konstantinos Fizoglou, President of the Federation of Greek Associations of Austria
Kyriaki Sonidou, physician and active member of the Greek community in the UK
Panagiota Diamanti, teacher from Fourna, Evrytania
Nestoras Nestoros, President of the Federation of Cypriot Brotherhoods of Sub-Saharan Africa
Sissy Sigioultzi, President of the Greece-Cyprus Cultural Association
Daniele Makris, President of the Greek Community of the Strait of Sicily
Eleni Stamouli, board member of Stamoulis Group, Greek Media Group 3XY, and the Hellenic Museum Melbourne
Proceeds from the evening will go toward supporting schools in Greece’s border regions and raising international awareness about occupied Famagusta.
The event was organised by Centre founder Stavros Panousopoulos, editor of Arsinoi publications; honorary president Mimi Denissi; and Professor Athanasios Angelopoulos, the Centre’s scientific supervisor.
Photo: Centre for Ecumenical Hellenism (gnl.gr)/Supplied
