The official opening of the exhibition “Raiment of Soul” under the patronage of her H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mrs. Katerina Sakellaropoulou, successfully took place yesterday in the Acropolis Museum, with the emblematic works of the photographer, Vangelis Kyris and the person that expresses the embroidery art, Anatoli Georgiev with the kind support of “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis” Foundation.

The 70 unique art works of the exhibition which are for the first time presented in full form, have impressed the people as they are a link between the art of photography and embroidery art that give to the photographic works a 3D dimension and a new air to the Greek history and tradition.

“Art is a superior complex structure that bears in it the writing and dream of history, affected from the cosmorama of its creators every time and in every generation with different ways and tools that enlacing threads-expressive meanings” as it has characteristically said, the General Director of Acropolis Museum, Professor Nikos Stampolidis.

And he went on: “A lot of men and women costumes are presented in this exhibition, costumes that reveal  every place and garments worn from historical persons – garments-poems from the hands of the people of the embroidery art, authentic and pure which in the art works in Acropolis museum discuss with the bodies of temporary people which have worn them to be photographed and have been magically captured from the hand of the artist photographer who pressed the button, the click of the magic box of machine which not incidental but like a flash of his eye which has been seen in a completely different way than us, offering immortality not only to the derivatives of the embroidery art of the 19^th century but immortalizing them with the soul of the people who “have worn the strength and captured for the eternity”.

The President of the Historical and Ethnological Society, Professor Fani Mallouchou-Tufano has spoken about the exceptional originality of the way of presentation of the traditional costumes of the Folklore collection of the National Historical Museum. The combination of the costumes photos worn from temporary Greek men and women with a special-combatable with the character of garment –  a physiognomic print with embroidering details , gives life to the costumes and a 3D dimension and their luxuriance’s, imaginative variety, mastery of their details and their expertise in preparing them from a new point of view.

“Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation” has supported with great honor the exhibition’s initiative and the publication of “Raiment of Soul” into the framework of its actions for the protection and promotion of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage. These artworks speak to our soul causing our admiration, wonderment and strong emotion, because the traditional costumes of every population are a part of its identity and a witness of its course during the passing of time and the influences throughout the centuries”, as the President of Good Will of UNESCO and President of “Marina V. Vardinoyannis Foundation”, Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis said.

The Minister of Culture and Sports, Mrs. Lina Mendonis, in her greetings she characteristically said: “The history of garment throughout the years proves in the best way the historical, cultural, esthetic and financial development of our societies. It proves the influence or the inspiration of an era to another one. It witnesses in a very beautiful way the art and technique of each era. I would like to express my sincere thanks and congratulations to all that have worked for this important initiative which pays tribute to the Greek traditional garment and justifies the choices and expectations of those who have inspired and materialize it”.

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Mrs. Katerina Sakellaropoulou, mentioned among others, the following in her greeting: “I am especially happy to open today the exhibition “Raiment of Soul” which is a very creative re-approaching of our national garment thanks to the inspiration of the photographer, Vangelis Kyris and the artist of needle, Anatoli Georgiev. I am very glad that this exhibition takes place to Acropolis Museum in order to be fully developed due to the initiative of “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis” initiative with the cooperation of the National Historical Museum and the Historical Museum of Crete. I would like also to congratulate, the General Director of Acropolis Museum, Nikos Stampolidid who has responded with enthusiasm to the idea to be hosted in the space of periodical exhibitions of the Museum, those wonderful creations supplemented with two special artworks referred to the ancient years. This choice underlines the need of the human being throughout the years to decorate the garment on the basis of its symbolic operation, the personal taste, the esthetic perceptions and the financial-economic conditions of the era that bridges the love for beauty of the ancient with the esthetic quality of the folklore tradition”.

Right after that, Mrs. Marianna Vardinoyannis and Mr. Stampolidis have handed over to the President of the Republic a collectible volume with the artworks of the exhibition. The cover page of the volume is the garment of Gennaios Kolokotronis, son of Theodoros Kolokotronis wonderfully embroidered with silver thread.

After the end of the speeches a tour took place in the exhibition from the artists, Vangelis Kyris and Anatoli Georgiev who have in details analyzed their work and inspiration.

There were present in the event a lot of important personalities, among them, the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Vasileios Kikilias, the Minister of Commercial Mercantile, Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis, the member of the Greek Parliament, Mrs. Olga Kefalogiannis, the Governor of Attica District, Mr. Georgios Patoulis, the Secretary General of Culture, Mr. Georgios Didaskalou and the ex Rector, Mrs. Eleni Arveler.

The exhibition is under the patronage of H.E. the President of the Republic, Mrs. katerina Sakellaropoulou.

The prizewinner, Mrs. Eleftheria Deco, has taken care for the excellent lightings.

The exhibition “Raiment of Soul” is open for the people with free entrance, the working hours of Museum (Monday-Thursday, 9am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday, 9am-8pm).The visitors could be informed about the exhibition and the artists work every day from 12.00 o’clock noon until 3.00 o’clock in the afternoon.

As of January 10^th 2023 will start the organized tours in the exhibition following an appointment in the phone number 6944 347 573 and to e-mail:[email protected]