The return of Bulgari to Greece is a fact. Procedures are underway for the purchase of the first store opened by Sotirios Bulgaris, the founder of the eponymous brand, in Paramythia, where he was born in 1857 and began his career as a jewelry craftsman.

As revealed to protothema.gr, the d mayor of Souliou, Thanasis Danis, an effort is being made by the municipality of Souliou to buy the property to make the first Bulgari store there and revive the past.

In particular, at a meeting in Rome, Mr. Danis made contact with members of the Bulgari family and executives of the famous jewelry house. This meeting was aimed at strengthening the ties between Paramythia, the birthplace of the founder of the house, Sotiriou Bulgari, and the internationally renowned house.

“The Bulgari school is opening in the summer and the revival of the first store of the family opened by Sotirios Voulgaris is in the works,” the mayor of Souliou explains.

When the conversation reaches the question of what will include the school museum, as it is known one of the two floors will be dedicated to the history of the Bulgari family with photographic material and other exhibits such as jewelry.

As he also stated, the construction of the Bulgari School – Museum Multi-Place, the opening of which will take place this summer in the presence of the Bulgari family and other official guests from Greece and abroad, is being completed.

Paramythia and the relationship with the Bulgari family

Paramythia, a picturesque small town in Epirus with a rich history and cultural identity, is closely linked to the history of the Bulgari family.

Sotirios Bulgaris, the founder of the brand, was born there in 1857 and began his career as a jewelry craftsman.

He later emigrated to Italy, where in 1884 he founded the Bulgari house in Rome, which is now a symbol of global fame in the luxury jewellery and watchmaking world.

Paramythia, built at the foot of the mountains of Epirus, stands out for its traditional architecture, its historical monuments, and its natural beauty.

Its cultural and historical heritage, along with its direct connection with Bulgari, is now being highlighted through a great initiative.

Mr. Danis met at the Bulgari offices with Mr. Nikolaos Bulgaris, grandson of the founder and Vice President of the Bulgari-LVMH Group. Also present were Ms. Monica Brannetti, Director of the Bulgari Historical Archive and Museum, and Mr. Matteo Morbidi, Director of Heritage and Philanthropic Initiatives.

During the meeting, the Mayor presented the progress of the renovation project of the former Bulgari Primary School in Paramythia, which is being transformed into a modern Centre for Art, History, Culture, and Education. The project, which is nearing completion, aims to highlight Bulgari’s heritage and will attract visitors and researchers from all over the world.

The presentation aroused great interest on the part of the Bulgari delegation, with Mr Nikolaos Voulgaris expressing the support of the family and the house for the project. Ways of strengthening cooperation in the next phases of the center’s implementation were discussed.

Photos credit: Epirus Media (Tatiana Stoicheva)