On Friday 19 November 2021, the presentation of the book Η Ιστορία έχει πρόσωπο – Μορφές του 1821 στην Ελλάδα του Όθωνα από τον βέλγο διπλωμάτη Benjamin Mary, a co-publication of the Sylvia Ioannou Foundation and the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece, was held at the National Historical Museum in Athens. The event was honoured with the presence of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who gave a welcome address, emphasising that 'Since most of these portraits are, at the urging of [Benjamin Mary], signed by the depicted, we have an additional invaluable and emotional historical testimony – their handwriting style.'

Welcome speeches were also delivered by the General Secretary of the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece, Mr Themistoklis P. Kontogouris, and the Chairperson of the Sylvia Ioannou Foundation, Ms Artemis Scutari. Talks about the publication were given by Iakovos Michailidis, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Petros Papapolyviou, Associate Professor of Contemporary Greek History, University of Cyprus; Dr Marilena Ζ. Cassimatis, Art Historian; and Dr Charikleia G. Dimacopoulou, Historian of Modern Greek Law and Administration and academic editor of the publication. The Deputy Director of the National Historical Museum, Ms Dimitra Koukiou, moderated the presentation.

Watch the event here (in Greek):

Photos from the event: