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6^th “Beyond Borders” International Documentary Festival of Castellorizo island

Theatrical Performance: 1821 – Constantine Polychroniadis

The latest publication of the Hellenic History Foundation titled "The unknown contribution of Constantine Polychroniadis in the promotion of the Greek Revolution" was presented on a small island at the edge of the Aegean. St. George of the sea as the inhabitants of remote Castellorizo ​​have named it due to the small chapel located on it. The presentation took place in the form of a theatrical performance.

The presentation, which took place in the context of the events of the 6th International Documentary Festival of Castellorizo, which takes place under the auspices of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, gave the opportunity to those who attended the performance to be transported through words and music to pre-revolutionary Greece and understand the importance undertaken by this somewhat unknown teacher, writer and thinker from Epirus, Constantine Polychroniadis, to convince the great powers of his time to support the just struggle of the Greeks to gain their freedom and independence.

The members of the Athens String Quartet accompanied the theatrical performance by presenting works from the Dodecanese suite of Giannis Konstantinidis. The talented Greek actress Georgia Anesti and the distinguished British actress and writer Carol Drinkwater read texts by Polychroniadis that had been addressed to the representatives of the great powers.

The book is a four-language edition in Greek, English, French, Turkish and French edited by: 1) Bertrand Bouvier, Professor at the University of Geneva, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens, 2) Matteo Campagnolo, Lecturer at the University of Geneva 3) Nicholas Nikoloudis, PhD in history at London University and 4) Irini Sarioglou, professor at the University of Istanbul, General Secretary of the Hellenic History Foundation and Artistic Director of Beyond Borders.

In her short greeting, Irini Sarioglou highlighted that this book is Hellenic History Foundation's contribution to this year's 200th anniversary from the Greek Revolution along with a series of other initiatives and events that have been planned throughout this year. She talked about the goals of the foundation, pointing out that the vision of its people is to make history the most beloved subject at Greek schools.

Professor Matteo Campagnolo in his inspirational speech, in fluent Greek, stressed that Constantine Polychroniadis tried to persuade the great powers using every available means of communication of his time, telling them that it was their duty and in their interest to support the Greek revolution. "Their duty, because Greece offered a lot to civilized Europe. In their Interest, because this critical state, which must be large and reach as far as Cyprus, will be a financially and strategically worthy partner of the powerful states of northern Europe", he stressed emphatically and added that "with his words he proved to be equipped with a prophetic insight”.

He warmly thanked The Social and Cultural Affairs Welfare Foundation (KIKPE) and its former vice president Eleni Molokotou for the valuable support they provided in publishing the book. Referring to the 6^th International Documentary Festival ​​that is taking place this week on remote Castellorizo, having gathered filmmakers, intellectuals and people of the arts from Greece and abroad, he pointed out that this festival "is proof that the furthest geographical land of Europe, can represent its cultural center ".

Beyond Borders is organized by the Hellenic History Foundation, in co-organization with Ecrans des Mondes (Paris). The Festival is sponsored and/or supported by the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hellenic Ministry of Νational Defence, the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Secretariat General for the Aegean and Island Policy, the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hellenic Parliament, the Region of South Aegean, the Municipality of Megisti, the Embassy of Australia in Athens, the U.S. Embassy in Athens, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Athens, the Embassy of Cyprus in Athens, the Embassy of Spain in Athens, the Cervantes Institute in Athens, the Italian Cultural Institute in Athens, the Czech Centre in Athens, EKOME, the Greek Film Center and ERT (Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation).

Please find the Official Program of the Festival here: http://beyondborders.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/programma.pdf

Please follow the link to watch the advertising spot of the 6th Beyond Borders 2021 at https://youtu.be/_Tcf0jBgkr8 and the snapshots of last year’s edition at https://youtu.be/iwGPfFkkzqc

For more information, please visit the Festival’s official website: www.beyondborders.gr/en or contact the Festival directly at info@beyondborders.gr

HELLENIC HISTORY FOUNDATION (www.idisme.gr)