The President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos met withthe Board of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, on Wednesday, 22 January 2020.

“I would like to warmly thank you all for your presence at the Presidential Mansion of the Hellenic Republic, and I would like to congratulate you for the overall work of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center. I would also like to note that during these difficult times the Nizami Ganjavi International Center is on a very difficult mission, which is multi-faceted and multi-layered. Moreover, I must commend you for the subject of the Seminar you organised here in Athens: The Climate Change issue, in combination with the protection of Cultural Heritage in the Mediterranean. Your contribution is significant because the protection of the Cultural Heritage in the Mediterranean goes beyond the Mediterranean, it is a Global mission, since the Cultural Heritage of the Mediterranean is a major part of our Global Civilization. The Mediterranean is a crossroads of Cultures and as a crossroads of Cultures it has monuments which are of interest for the entire world. It is also an example, I believe – because it is the first time that something like this is happening – of what we need to do in the future, so that, along with improving the quality of our life, we will salvage everything that is valuable from our History and our Civilisation.  My wish is that your efforts will find more imitators. Imitators for the future, and mostly, who will raise the awareness of all those who believe that the Climate Change issue is of secondary importance or non-existent. Your voice is a cry for help. And I underline: Let it awaken all those who, with great ease – I would say with great frivolity and irresponsibility – are ignoring the devastating effects of Climate Change on our life and our Civilisation. Welcome, and I would like to warmly thank you once again”, stated the President of the Hellenic Republic in his address to the Organisation’s Board.

Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, member of the Board of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, offered Mr Pavlopoulos a symbolic olive branch wreath, with the following words:  “Your Excellency Mr President of the Hellenic Republic, I would like to thank you on behalf of everyone from the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, who is here today. And allow me to offer you a symbolic gift, as a minimum expression of our gratitude for your undivided support in our work, both of the Foundation and the Nizami Ganjavi Center, and to thank you from the heart for your great contribution. Also, I would like to thank you for the great work you have offered at an international level. I wish that we will join forces again and cooperate on national matters that relate to our Cultural Heritage, and protect all the cultural achievements that have taken place throughout the centuries from the risks of climate change. I thank you on behalf of everyone from the Nizami Ganjavi Center who is here today”.