The cutting of the traditional New Year’s Vasilopita – an old custom of the Greeks, took place on 29 January 2025 in Athens’ Marriott Hotel and was attended by a large number of members and friends of the Chios Marine Club.
The event was dedicated in awarding five exceptional personalities of the Island of Chios:
· Capt. Georgios Arvanitis, Master Mariner, Deputy Regional Governor for Shipping, Ports and Ferry Connections of the North Aegean.
· The Marathon Runner Christoforos Merousis
· The Olympic Water Polo Athletes of Chios Nautical Club Team: Ioannis Fountoulis, Konstantinos Gkiouvetsis and Aggeliki Karapataki
They were nominated for their exceptional contribution to our Island of Chios and Greece in general.
The event kick-started with the General Secretary of the Chios Marine Club Miss Maria Tripoliti (pictured above) welcoming the guests and referring to the event’s proceedings.
Thereafter, the President of the CMC, Capt. Antonis Pitsilos (pictured above) took the podium welcoming the honorees and all participants. He presented the review of the Club’s 2024 activities and referred to the actual scope, social and charitable work of the Club. He emphasized on the acquisition of our Club’s New Premises. He warmly thanked the Donors who contributed to this Event as well as the Donors who supported the Renovation of our New Premises. Concluding, he wished all present, a Prosperous New Year, full of Success and Good Health.
The Traditional ΄΄Vasilopita΄΄ was blessed by the Senior Priest, Father Dimitrios Balkanas.
Then the floor was taken by Mr. Antonis Faraklas, one of the Founding Members and First Elected President of the Chios Marine Club. Mr. Faraclas highlighted the founding of the club and its development so far.
Following his Speech, the Event continued by awarding honorary plaques:
· Capt. Manolis Tsikalakis (General Secretary of Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation), presented the Award to: Capt. Georgios Arvanitis (Master Mariner, Deputy Regional Governor for Shipping, Ports, and Ferry Connections of the North Aegean
· Prof. Stamatios Krimizis (Aerospace scientist, Nasa Astrophysicist and President of Athens’ Academy, Greece), presented the Award to: The Marathon Runner Christoforos Merousis
· Ms. Domna Michailidou (MP at the Hellenic Parliament and former Minister of Works), presented the Award to Mrs Aggeliki Karapataki
· Mrs Mariella Varoni (President of Federation of Chian Associations in Attica), presented the Award to Mr. Ioannis Fountoulis
· Mr. Dimitrios Skapinakis (President of Chios Nautical Club), presented the Award to Mr. Konsantinos Gkiouvetsis
Τhe Award Ceremony continued with the presentation of honorary plaques to the Donor Companies that financially supported the Renovation of our Club’s New Premises.
Afterwards, a seated dinner took place with light food and drinks.
Moreover, the following honored the event with their presence:
Prof. Stamatios Krimizis (Aerospace scientist, Nasa Astrophysicist and President of Athens’ Academy, Greece), MP Ms. Domna Michailidou (MP at the Hellenic Parliament and former Minister of Works), Νοtis Mitarakis (MP for the Prefecture of Chios for ND at Hellenic Parliament) Stavros Michailidis (MP for the Prefecture of Chios for PASOK-KINAL), Leonidas Manolakos (Deputy Governor of Attika/ Alternate Prefect of Political Protection and Coast Guard Policy), Georgios Kalogerakis (Vice Admiral of the Coast Guard/ Representative of the Deputy Minister of Shipping & Island Policy, of the Hellenic Parliament), Menelaos Kokalis (Representative of Minister Charis Theocharis, of the Hellenic Parliament), Nikolaos Papageorgiou (Representative of the Regional Governor of Attika/ N. Chardialias), Ioannis Malafis (Mayor of Chios Island), Georgios Daniil (Mayor of Oinousses Island), Nikolaos Manolakos (General, Honorary Commander of the Hellenic Supreme Military Command of Interior & Islands – ASDEN), Vice Admiral (HCG) Reizis Drosos, First Deputy Commander (HCG), Αdmiral Rt (HCG) Georgios Skandalis, Admiral Rt (HCG) Dimitrios Tsiadis, Radm (HCG) Pantelis Chametis, Former Commandant (HCG) Theodoros Rentzeperis, Captain (HCG) Antonios Doumanis (Director of Seafarers’ Training Directorate), Captain (HCG) Christos Fragkias (Director of Environmental Protection), Lieutenant Commander (HCG) Dimitrios Kloumasis (Director of the Merchant Navy Academy of Oinousses Island), Lieutenant Commander (HCG) Artemis Toukari (Representative of the Central Port Authority of Chios Island), Capt. Manolis Tsikalakis (General Secretary of Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation – PNO), Capt. Panagiotis Gigis (President of Panhellenic Association of Merchant Navy Masters – PEPEN), Prof. Seraphim Kapros (Head of the Department of Shipping Trade and Transport at the University of the Aegean – Director of the MBA in Shipping), Costis J. Frangoulis (President of International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus), Danae Bezantakou (A’ Vice President of International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus), Vasilis Politis (Representative of Hellenic Chamber of Shipping), Pantelis Legatos (President of Chios Chamber of Commerce & President of the Chios Port Fund), Ilias Hatziefraimidis (President of WIMA), Danae Tsopela (Director of Hellenic Shortsea ShipOwners Association – EENMA), Nikolaos Liapis (President of Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology – ELINT), Konstantinos Papageorgiou (President of Hellenic Logistics Company – EEL), Vivi Koliopoulou (President of Wista Hellas), Mariella Varoni (President of Chian Associations in Attica), Andreas Karagiorgis (President of Psara Island’s Brotherhood), Georgios Karpathakis (Vice President of LAEN), Ioannis Gialas (President of Union of Vrontadoussians in Attica – EVAT), Maria Mpri Papamakariou (President of Pyrgi Village Association in Attica), Dimitrios Skapinakis (President of Chios Nautical Club), Stylianos Koumbias (President of Pan-Chian Association of retired Seafarers of the Merchant Marine Pension Fund of Chios), Georgios Andreadis (Marine Chief Executive for Greece, Bureau Veritas), Theofilos Xenakoudis (Managing Director, International Registries – Marshal Islands), Nikolaos Attaliotis (Executive Vice President of the Board of Director, Regulatory Authority for Ports).
Finally, the President Capt. Antonis Pitsilos and the Board of Directors of Chios Marine Club, warmly thanked all guests, donors, members and friends for the honor of being present, wishing them a Year full of Health and Progress!
