Earlier on today at the Bayes Business School’s compound, City University of London, we gathered to attend a very special presentation of a unique book, “The Greeks”, Masters of the Seas shaping their life story”. A great account by acclaimed greek journalist and writer Greta Christofilopoulou with the unique support of NAFTEMPORKI, the daily newspaper and site which coincidentally celebrates its centennial this year -founded in 1924!
This magnificent book of 550 pages, authored by Greta Christofilopoulou was introduced by Prof. Costas Th. Grammenos CBE (Pictured above), BA (Athens), MSc (Bangor), DSc (City), FCIB, Hon FIMarEST, FRSA who is Professor of Shipping, Trade and Finance; Pro Vice-Chancellor of City University London and Deputy Dean of its Bayes Business School (former Cass Business School)!
Here come the entire speech by Greta Christifilopoulou:
“After expressing my joy at being here with you today, I have two confessions to make. The first is that my English will never reach the level I would like—not because I am careless, but because I am dyslexic.
Therefore, I ask for your leniency in your judgments.
The second, and what I consider the most essential, concerns the difficulties I faced in writing this book.
This album is not a collection of images, but a canvas that captures the journey of distinguished Greek shipowners. Within its pages, shipping and literature, share a common trait: they transport our thoughts and souls. Because, behind every ship, lies a vision, and behind every vision, a person with passion and determination. Thus, each biography included, offers a glimpse into the depths of human existence, which began with the courage of a decision and reached the pinnacle.
My role in creating these portraits, was to serve as a bridge between personal experience and the reader.
To maintain the authenticity of the narrative. Τo become their voice.
To interpret a story within a broader cultural and social context. And finally, to highlight the uniqueness of each character, acting as a historian who approaches events with the utmost objectivity.
The album serves as a valuable source of knowledge, as it contains precious elements that document the journey of Greek shipowners to the top.
Through events, narratives, and analyses, it illustrates how the persistence, ingenuity, and business foresight, that the Greek shipowners contributed to what we call the shipping miracle.
Since the beginning of my journalism career, I have worked exclusively for financial newspapers and magazines. I have collaborated with leading shipowners, gathering information on newbuilding’s, sales and purchases and expansions of their business activities.
Numbers, ships, deals, analyses, and extensive texts. Travels to all over the world, international conferences, assessments, market trends, rises and falls, crises, clean-ups, and new beginnings from scratch.
But behind all of this, there was something much more important: The people and their stories. The ones that are captured in the pages of this album.
That was my original goal when my editor invited me to his office and entrusted me undertaking the work. I did not take the easy route of simply referring to shipping companies or sanitized biographies.
I wanted the impossible: to convince them to share with me important moments of their lives.
To open up their souls and tell me what was holding in secrecy from the public.
Those who are familiar with the members of Hellenic shipping community, know very well, that shipowners not only hate to make public references to themselves, but they literally despise it.
So you understand the magnitude of the undertaking. Since the end of November 2023, after I managed to overcome the army of the hurdles secretaries, I had to convince them of what we were planning to do and the importance of the presence of her boss in the album. Through retreats, setbacks, continuous disturbances, and persistent efforts, they clearly realized that it was hard to get rid of me and eventually gave in.
I thank them, because despite the difficulties, obstacles, and endless hours of preparation, the volume you are seeing today is a proof that I have achieved my goal in full, and I am proud of it.
In shipping, they say the greatest capital is foresight. The ability to predict the future. However, behind every accurate forecast, behind every success, is the human capital that is recorded in their stories.
I write history with words. The Greek shipowners write it, with ships. And this publication by Naftemporiki is a rare and unique opportunity to see the maritime history of Greece through their eyes and their description . To get to know the shipping families that form the link between progress, the economy, and culture.
Where others saw tons of steel and machines, I saw ideas, desires, and people who dared to tame the seas. This book is dedicated to those people. I thank them for trusting me and for opening their homes, offices, and hearts to me. The result has vindicated us.
In closing, I would like to thank you once again and assure you that the edition presented today is a valuable source of knowledge about Greek shipping. I hope you enjoy it and share it across the ends of the earth.”
She received a great applause from the enthusiastic audience who engaged her in 18 interesting questions – academics, tutors, members of the Greek Shipping Community in UK and of course students! A great dialogue ensued!
Afterwards a nice a lovely reception took place with plentiful of dips and soft drinks, but above all an excellent selection of fruits; the presenter was stunned!
During this hourly reception we had the chance to speak to the writer as well as to the students, a great number of them being women and good to see many Greek ones, Chians to!!!
Congratulations to Ms Kristie Loutsiou of Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping Trade and Finance for her organisational skills as well as to Naftemporiki’s Christina Chafousidou, who was also the management consultant for this book.
For myself attending this launching of this unique book, was a very sentimental event; seeing family, friends, clients on the screen during the presentation, as well as a few minutes earlier going through the book was a great re-experience so to say! We look forward to volume 2, and three et al as the Greek’s miracle shipping facts – not stories, is immense!
Many Congrats to the entire Naftemporki team for publishing this book enhancing Greek Shipping all over Planet Ocean!
For viewers’ info:
“THE GREEKS, MASTERS OF THE SEAS SHARING THEIR LIFE STORIES” ISBN: 978-960-88851-5-8
