A special day was Wednesday, November 26, when the first official event of PEPIETH was held with great success at Dia Noche in Marina Alimou, under President Cpt. Dr. Giorgos Valli, with the sentiment remaining alive. It was an evening that managed to unite people from different walks of life, but with the common element of contribution, strength, and faith in solidarity.
The audience flooded the space, honoring 16 personalities who, through acts of courage, humanity, and daily transcendence, proved that the light of people shines even in the most demanding moments.
The presentation was undertaken by journalists-presenters Spyros Lamprou and Anna Stamatiadou, who with professionalism and impeccable coordination highlighted the stories of the people who were the focus of the evening.
The curtain was opened with the award ceremony for Nikos Papathanasis, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance for his contribution to the regulation of taxation of private recreational vessels, which was presented by Cpt Dr Giorgos Valli, as well as the Member of Parliament for the Cyclades, Filippos Fortomas for his support of islanders, the effort to contain coastal shipping prices and the protection of the Portara monument. While Mr. Fortomas was also awarded by the president of PEPIETH.
A special moment was the award of 13-year-old Michail Panou by Cpt. Dr. Giorgos Valli, who raised the sign “I beat cancer in the head” and became a symbol of strength for every child fighting a battle for life.
The event also highlighted acts of bravery such as that of Goga Levian, who, defying danger, rushed into the waters of Arachthos to save two children and received the honorary plaque from the Member of Parliament for the Cyclades, Filippos Fortomas, as well as the ultra-athlete Giorgos Douvas for the Kos-Nisyros feat for children with disabilities, who was awarded by the president of PEPIETH.
Amidst moving applause, Ioannis Papathanasiou, a blind flag bearer from Gavalo Agrinio, was honored by the Member of Parliament for B2 Western Sector, Dimitris Kalogeropoulos, as well as rescuer Giorgos Nikolopoulos, who saved a three-year-old girl by performing CPR, who received the honorary plaque from Cpt Dr. Giorgos Valli.
For her life-saving intervention at the Rhodes airport, where she revived a tourist, pediatrician Olga Tzetzi was awarded by the president of the Union and Nikos Papathanasis, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance.
A special distinction was received from the Secretary General for Research and Innovation of the Ministry of Development, Tasos Gaitani, by Paralympian Charalampos Taiganidis for the world record of 80.45 nautical miles in 60 hours, sending the message that “dreams have no limits”.
Distinctions were also awarded to Kostas Kritzilakis and Rafaella Fournarakis for their fight for the equality of people with disabilities, with the award being given by the hands of the Member of Parliament for Pieria, Spyros Koulkoudinas.
Honorary plaques were awarded to: Lieutenant of the L.S. Argyris Doukidis, by Cpt Dr. Giorgos Valli and the Director of Digital Communication for the Prime Minister, Nikos Romanos, as well as the Port Commander of Lavrio, Captain Christos Zoumpos, by Navy Admiral Vasilis Politis, Head of Marines, Ports and yachting and by retired Navy Admiral Leonidas Manolakos, appointed advisor for crisis management logistics centers.
By Petros Palikaris, representative of the Deputy Minister of…
The Central Harbor Master of Elefsina, Lieutenant Commander V.S. Vasileios Bikakis, was awarded by Shipping and Island Policy, who in turn presented an honorary plaque, together with Cpt Georgios Valls, to Sub-Lieutenant A.S. Alexandros Ballis for acts of bravery and contribution to duty.
For his contribution to the journalistic coverage of shipping issues, journalist Lampros Katsaros was also awarded, by his colleagues Spyros Lampros and Anna Stamatiadou, as well as by Cpt Georgios Valls.
The impression of this evening was so strong and does not remain only in the photos or the awards. It remains mainly in the thought that there are people who make a difference without advertising it.
PEPIETH and its president Cpt Dr. Georgios Valls managed to give a voice to stories that often do not reach the light. And this, as many attendees admitted, was perhaps the greatest success of the evening, but also of the Association’s social work.
See the interesting material from the event
