Greek-Australian photographer Nick Bourdaniotis has seen his series on the Evzones donated upon request to the Presidency of Greece, with it set to be displayed at the Presidential Palace and Headquarters of the Evzones.
The 27-photo collection was officially donated on Tuesday, December 19, following an intimate viewing at the Greek Presidential Guard Headquarters in Athens, wherein Mr Bourdaniotis had a guided tour with the President of the Hellenic Republic, Ms Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
The exhibition was showcased earlier this year in March under the patronage of Ms Sakellaropoulou at the Athens War Museum and had a such an impact that it was requested to be permanently displayed in the Presidential Palace and the Headquarters of the Evzones.
Mr Bourdaniotis had the opportunity to take Ms Sakellaropoulou on a guided tour of the series at the Greek Presidential Guard Headquarters, explaining the significance behind the photos as an expression of his love for Greece which he has maintained as a member of the diaspora.
He also extended gratitude to the staff of the Presidency office, Garrison personnel, and the Athens War Museum team for their collaborative efforts in reconstructing the entire exhibition within the Evzones headquarters.
The series is the result of seven years of work wherein Mr Bourdaniotis was granted rare, behind-the-scenes access into the daily lives of the Evzones for historical, archival, and media purposes, beginning in 2016 when some of them participated in the Sydney ANZAC Day commemoration.
He continued to take photos of the Evzones in Athens and then again in Australia when members of the Presidential Guard returned to Melbourne and Adelaide.
The exhibition was first shown in Sydney in February 2021 under the auspices of Archbishop Makarios, primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, and has travelled throughout Australia to venues like the National Museum in Canberra and the Maritime Museum in Sydney.
The exhibition is expected to embark on tours and prestigious events of the presidency across Greece and the world.
More information about The Evzones Collection can be found at greece2021.com.au.
