The Anthem of Animals by Panagiotis Karousos, Avra Tsalamaniou, Thanos Olympios

Event for the animals at Pnevmatiki Estia of the Municipality of Voula.
On Wednesday, December 21, 2016 presented at Pnevmatiki Estia of the Municipality of Voula, an informative event for the animals under the auspices of the Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands.
On behalf of Piraeus & Islands UNESCO attended Mr. Moschos Vassilios, Officer ret, who transferred the message Greeting of Mr. Ioannis Maronitis, President of the Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands, and he gave the awards to the organizers and artists participants of the informations event.

The cultural program of the event:
Speeches: The animals in the human environment, the companionship of pets: Nick Diomatarakis, Dog Trainer.
The contribution of livestock to the physical and mental health, Man and Animals, The position of animals in people's lives: Marios Gerogiannis, real estate agent, Vice President of Animal Welfare, Animal Friends Ecologists

Theatrical sketch: The tale of Esmeralnta and Reading from the book: Hymns and songs about animals by Avra Tsalamaniou, author:  Dimitris Katsimanis, Actor. 
Song: The Anthem of Animals: Lyrics: Avra Tsalamaniou, Music: Panagiotis Karousos, composer and Thanos Olympios, singer.
The president of the Association of Animal Friends Ecologists Mrs Avra Tsalamaniou thanked the Municipality of Vari -Voula -Vouliagmeni for courtesy of the hall, the Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands and the Chairman of UNESCO Mr Ioannis Maronitis, for courtesy and support.

Eastern Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance (EMBCA)

Eastern Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance (EMBCA) www.embca.com presents

"December 27, 537 AD: Aghia Sophia – Its History, Architecture and Cultural Contributions."

Under the Auspices of the Club for UNESCO Piraeus & Islands

We honor and remember the anniversary of the inauguration of Haghia Sophia by having a panel discussion which will examine the architectural, cultural, historical and geo-political impact that Aghia Sophia has had. This is the first in a Byzantine Series of future EMBCA events.

After the introduction by EMBCA's president Mr. Ilias Katsos, the event started with live music by Mike "Risko" Savvas a gifted guitarist and Tzoura player (with Porphyra) who captivated the audience with his dexterous Helleno- Byzantine inspired tunes that fit perfectly with the evening’s theme.

Then recognized national and international architect John Fotiadis EMBCA's V.P. (the Moderator for the evening) started the program with a succinct and brilliant presentation of Aghia Sophia’s awe inspiring architecture.

He introduced and was followed by a spectacular panel of presenters which included author and journalist Alexander Billinis ( author of "The Eagle Has Two Faces: Journeys Through Byzantine Europe" and "Hidden Mosaics: An Aegean Tale") who captured Aghia Sophia’s multi-national significance Constantine "Dean" Sirigos a noted Journalist and Commentator on International Affairs who brought out highly insightful and not well known technological aspects of the Cathedral, and Billy Chrissochos a composer, historical consultant and producer of the Rock Opera "Porphyra, A Grecian Rock Opera" who brought in unique and modern Byzantine musical opera ways of looking at the Byzantine period and this international treasure.

This event was held in association with the New York Chapter of the Hellenic American Institute (AHI), AHEPA Delphi Chapter 25 of Manhattan and the Club for UNESCO of Piraeus & Islands and we thank them for their support.

Porphyra will be represented by Billy Chrissochos, Despina Chrissochos and Mike "Risko" Savvas. There was a live performance by Mr. Savvas on the tzoura and guitar presenting music from Porphyra's new album, "The Starmaker's Prophecy." www.porphyraband.com.

The Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands is a proud participant of this important event and awarded the distinguished organizers and panel. Despina Afentouli, Press Office Director for the CLUB for UNESCO for Piraeus & Islands, presented an HONORARY AWARD yesterday for Contributions to Culture relating to the event.

Our UNESCO New York Chapter has presented the following highly acclaimed productions under the direction of Billy Chrissochos; The first Greek opera at Lincoln Center, the “Olympic Flame” by Panagiotis Karousos, and Billy Chrissochos’ own “Porphyra, a Grecian Rock Opera. Anna and Vladimir: the love that ROCKED the world,” which debuted at Carnegie Hall and Off Broadway at the Theatre Players. Both works have been produced in collaboration with the Hellenic American Center of the Arts.

Mr. Ioannis Maronitis, President of the Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands and Member of the Board of the World Federation of Associations and Club Centres for UNESCO, responsible for Europe and North America.

Billy Chrissochos, Director of Modern Music of the New York Chapter of the Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands.

Panagiotis Karousos, Director of Opera and Classical Music of the Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands.

Greek opera star Jenny Drivala awarded the Prize "UNESCO Maria Callas 2016" of the Club for UNESCO of Piraeus & Islands

Friday, December 2, 2016. In the City Hall of Paleo Faliro, Athens, Greece, held the award ceremony «UNESCO Maria Callas 2016" of the Club for UNESCO of Piraeus & Islands to award the world famous soprano Jenny Drivala.

The great artist of the opera interpreted the aria Com'e bello from the opera "Lucrezia Borgia" by Gaetano Donizetti, the aria Bel Raggio lusinghier from the opera "Semiramide" by Gioachino Rossini and the aria, Col sorriso from the opera "The pirate "by Vincenzo Bellini, and was applauded by the audience. The soprano well accompanied on the piano by fine pianist Frixos Mortzos.

Her velvet voice gave all aspects of the Italian bel canto in which she specialized and triumphed in major opera houses around the world.

Also interpreted with bass Vasilis Asimakopulos the Amina / Rodolfo duet from the opera  ‘The Sleepwalker" by Vincenzo Bellini.

For the great soprano Jenny Drivala performed remarkable lyrical artists. The soprano Irini Konsta amazingly interpreted the aria Dich Teure Halle from the opera "Tannhäuser " by Richard Wagner, the talented tenor Theodore Birakos beautifully interpreted the aria of Mercury (Hermes) from the opera "Prometheus Bound" by Panagiotis Karousos, and bass Vasilis Asimakopoulos sung with soprano Irini Konsta the dramatic duet Prometheus and Io from the opera"Prometheus Bound" by Panagiotis Karousos.

The program ended triumphantly with the famous duet Libiamo Ne'lieti Calici from the opera "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi, which involved all the artists on stage led by Jenny Drivala. Artists accompanied by pianist Maria Giavroumi.

It was a high-level opera gala in honor of Maria Callas, who was born as today, by the Club for UNESCO of Piraeus & Islands, along with the award «UNESCO Maria Callas 2016" to great protagonist of the National Opera of Greece soprano Jenny Drivala.

The presentation did Panagiotis Karousos, composer and director of the Opera and Classical Music Department for the Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands.

For Jenny Drivala spoke soprano Dimitra Kamitsi, the reporter Elda Georgakopoulou and Fotini Androulaki of Volta magazine.

The awarding of the Prize Maria Callas 2016 to Jenny Drivala and to honorary accolades artists did the Group's delegation of UNESCO Piraeus and Islands, Dr. Anastasios Koutsoukos, Education Director, the Dean Roula Kavakioti and Paul Nisloglou, Honorary President of UNESCO Piraeus and Islands who conveyed the message of the Chairman for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands and Member of the Executive Council of the Clubs World Federation of Associations and UNESCO Centres (WFUCA) for Europe and North America Mr. Ioannis Maronitis.

Dr. Anastasios Koutsoukos thanked the City of Palaio Faliro for cooperation and allocation of the Town Hall room, Dionysis Hatzidakis, Mayor of Palaio Faliro, Konstantinos Nikolaidis, Deputy Mayor of the Cultural Organization of Palaio Faliro, Michael Triantafyllou, Coordinator of the Multiplex Hall Paleo Faliro, and Rena Venardos, Secretary of Culture and Sport Centre of Paleo Faliro Municipality.

The event was coordinated by Hellenic American Center of the Arts and UNESCO.