The Greek community of Monaco took the occasion of their New Year’s blessing ceremony to celebrate their 70^th anniversary in Monaco.

This year’s Vassilopita, or New Year’s blessing, had special meaning for the Hellenic Community of Monaco. At an event organised on 23^rd January at the Yacht Club of Monaco, the group observed seven decades in operation.

Friends and members of the association met to discuss the role and activities of the Hellenic Community and were treated to a speech given by the club president, Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis, who made a presentation about the mission of the organisation. A financial statement was then given by the treasurer, Dr. Panagiotis Kyriazis.

Amongst the distinguished guests were Monseigneur Dominique-Marie David, Archbishop of Monaco, France’s Ambassador to Monaco Stefanini Laurent, Counsuls of Greece in Monaco Petros Machas and Benzimira Philippe, Hydra’s Mayor George Koukoudakis and Deputy Mayor Maria Katsika, and CEO and Vice-President of the Prince Albert II Foundation Olivier Wenden.

The event also included a fundraiser tombola. Numerous sponsors offered products and services and, in the end, a total of €5,650 was collected and donated by the Hellenic Community to the Prince Albert II Foundation to support a project which is protecting the Mediterranean monk seal, who are found on the Greek Island of Gyaros.

Photo left to right: Gerasimos Marinis, CHM Vice President, Gregory Stassinopoulos, CHM Vice President, His Eminence of the Métropolite de France Dimitrios, Zeliana Charemi, CHM Member, Sophia Vaharis-Tsouvelekakis, CHM President, source: CHM