The situation in Mariupol and in Ukraine in general was the topic of the discussion organized in the framework of the PHOTOVISION exhibition.
On the occasion of the photographic exhibition of the award-winning photojournalist Vassilis Koutroumanou entitled “The peaceful Mariupol of the Greeks” a discussion was organized on the situation in Mariupol and in Ukraine in general today.
Saia Tsaousidou, President of the Association of European Journalists, spoke about Russia’s war against Ukraine and its impact on its civilian population. “Hundreds of civilians are being killed for no fault of their own,” she said. “It is sad and shocking to have wars when there is a way through diplomatic channels to resolve these issues. Putin’s war against Ukraine must stop now. The international community should do everything possible to restore peace in the region.
Vassilis Koutroumanos spoke about his contact and bond with the Greeks of Ukraine through his travels with Greek Presidents and ministers over the past 20 years. With emotion he recounted life stories and unique experiences.
Dr. Panagiotis Sfaelos, internationalist, member of the Association of the Union of European Journalists and Vice President of KEDISA, analyzed the geopolitical dimensions of the war.
Theodoros Giannopoulos, a fourth-year student of International and European Studies of the University of Piraeus, spoke about the perspective of a young potential internationalist who is following the evolution of the war with interest and anxiety.
The event was welcomed by Yiannis Theodorakopoulos, President of PSAAT.
The discussion that followed was joined by students and attendees who all took a stand against the invasion of Ukraine and wished for this war to end soon.
The historical exhibition entitled: “The peaceful Mariupolis of the Greeks” by the award-winning photojournalist Vassilis Koutroumanos started its journey from the Hellenic Photographic Society and will travel all over Greece giving the opportunity to many of our compatriots to see Mariupolis and the life of the Greeks there through the photographic lens of Vassilis Koutroumanos. The photographs depict the life and activities of the Hellenism of Mariupol, as recorded with his lens by the well-known photojournalist from his earlier travels to Ukraine, the Black Sea, Kiev, Mariupol and Sartan. V. Koutroumanos has been honored in the past by the Municipality of Mariupol, which today has been almost flattened by the Russian invasion, as he was the initiator and creator of the large school library of the elementary school.
It is worth noting that the proceeds from the sale of the photographs will be donated to our expatriates from the Mariupol region, who are hosted by the twinned Municipality of Zografou.