Our national anniversary of 1821, which coincided with the Annunciation of the Mother of God, was celebrated this year in Vienna in a special way, highlighting how cultural diplomacy can work. Our ambassador to the Austrian capital, Katerina Koika, who is completing her four-year active service there, “organized” an event combining visual arts and music: last Saturday, at least 400 guests stepped through the threshold of the majestic embassy building (which is also the seat of the embassy), receiving an elegant invitation with the work of the Greek artist Antonis Staveris. It was about the dove of peace along with poppies, which for us Greeks mean the arrival of spring. Staveris was born in Athens in 1973 and is one of the artists who present their work abroad and domestically. The invitation design was a very good way to showcase our very wonderful artists.

Nearly all foreign diplomatic missions in Vienna were present, as were representatives of the Chancellery and official local authorities. In her short speech, the Ambassador referred to the excellent bilateral relations, while stressing that in critical circumstances, such as the issue of immigration, Austria supported us. Now that Greece has put forward its candidacy for the United Nations Security Council, this Central European country has again shown its full intention to support us.

However, the surprise for the guests was that the national anthems of Austria and Greece were not heard in the recording, but were performed by baritone Ari Argyris, who was accompanied on the piano by Anastasios Strikas. These are two of our compatriots living and working in Vienna, distinguished themselves in the demanding field of music and lyrical singing.

“We say very often that culture is our heavy industry, our great reserve, but it is difficult for us to find ideas with which to project it abroad,” the Greek ambassador says in his column, adding: “We took advantage of our a beautiful building that has been the residence of a diplomatic mission since 1920 and has large premises. It was designed by a student of Theophil Hansen. We took advantage of our artists and musicians, and very often collaborate with Greeks who are distinguished by art and literature and live here. I must say that it resonated greatly with the Austrians, who especially love Greece, respect its ancient heritage and want to get to know the newer.”