“If anything else has come from Initiative 21, it’s dispelling the myth that Greeks can’t get along.” In one sentence, Panos Laskaridis, President of the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation, summed up perhaps the biggest benefit of bringing together 17 private foundations under a common umbrella to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the 1821 revolution. Last Monday, a special event was held in the Athens Concert Hall with representatives of all participants to take stock of what happened (conferences, publications, educational programs, musical and theater performances, etc.), but also something even more important: announce that Initiative 21 will continue to exist even after the end of its primary purpose. However, he will now focus on climate change, disaster management, protecting the environment and preserving our cultural heritage. This is a particularly positive development that shows that when something is built on a solid foundation, it can withstand time.

The undertaking was not easy. On the one hand, the institutions – from Onassis and Latsis to Theocharakis, Captain Vassilis and Carmen Konstantinopoulou, Marianna Vardinogiannis, etc. – have so far been “trained” to have their own autonomous program. On the other hand, the conditions of the health crisis in which the anniversary was celebrated made things very difficult. However, the leaders of the organizations agreed, cooperated constructively, opened a common path, which would be a shame to lose after the celebration.

The event was celebrated by the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, with a recorded greeting. “These actions,” he stressed, “would not have been possible if there had not been a spirit of cordial cooperation between the National Bank, the institutions and bodies involved in the 1821-2021 Initiative. A brilliant example of joining forces, he proved that coming together and working together to achieve a common goal creates a new dynamic in our cultural life, capable of carrying out even the most unattainable enterprise.

Introducing the Prime Minister, Minister of State Akis Skertzos said that Initiative 21 proved that when everyone works alone, they can get to their destination faster, and when we all work together, we move forward together. Coordinator of the Initiative, adviser to the National Bank Ioannis Manos said: “It is typical that partners from different philosophical, political and social spheres participate in the activities of the Initiative, and there were no problems, despite their different perceptions. This is because when there are specific and agreed goals, ongoing coordination, monitoring and evaluation of projects and, above all, honest dialogue, any differences are ironed out and mutual understanding is a given.”