During his official visit to Egypt, the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, attended a special cultural event at the historic Spetsaropouleio Foundation in Cairo, home to the Abeteio and Achillopouleio Schools.
The event featured a warm and symbolic welcome by the students’ choir, who performed the iconic “Waltz of Lost Dreams” by Manos Hatzidakis. The program also included poetry recitations by Konstantinos Cavafy and excerpts from works by Stratis Tsirkas, underscoring the enduring ties between Greek education, culture, and literature in the diaspora.
In his address, Kaklamanis described the occasion as “the most intense and emotional moment” of his visit. He praised the dedication of the educational community and emphasized the vital role of the Greek expatriate presence in Egypt.
“Teachers and students keep the flame of Hellenism alive,” he stated, highlighting the importance of preserving the Greek language and cultural identity abroad.
As part of his visit, Kaklamanis toured the school facilities and engaged directly with students and faculty, gaining insight into the institutions’ operations and needs. He also stressed the importance of safeguarding historical memory, announcing the Greek Parliament’s support for the digitization of archival material belonging to the Greek Community of Cairo.
Meanwhile, the President of the Hellenic Community of Cairo, Christos Kavallis, described the visit as highly significant. He pointed to the long-standing presence and contributions of Hellenism in Egypt, noting that such initiatives boost morale and enhance the outward-looking character of the Greek diaspora.
The visit reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to supporting its expatriate communities and preserving their cultural legacy worldwide.
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