The conference participants. Photo: Vasily Isakov
An international conference dedicated to prominent figures in Russian-Greek relations at the turn of the 18th century was held in Athens. The event, dedicated to the history, traditions, and heritage of the two countries, was organized by the Krasnodar Regional Branch of the Russian Geographical Society and the Regional National Cultural Autonomy of Greeks of Krasnodar Territory with the support of the Federal National Cultural Autonomy of Greeks of Russia and the representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo in Greece.
«Holding our multi-format events dedicated to the relations between Greece and Russia has already become a good tradition. They cover the period from antiquity to modern times, and it is important that this work continues. Also, thanks to our initiative, Greeks from a number of Russian cities visited Greece for the first time,» Ivan Chaika, a member of the Presidium of the RGS Council of Regions, Chairman of the Krasnodar Regional Branch of the RGS, honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts, said at the opening of the event.
Vyacheslav Sidleronok and Ivan Chaika. Photo: Vasily Isakov
«We are glad to welcome the delegation from Russia and personally Ivan Gennadievich Chaika. This is the second cultural event of the Russian Geographical Society that brought together representatives of the two countries at the Russian House,» Vyacheslav Sidleronok, Head of the Russian Center for Science and Culture at the Russian Embassy in Greece, greeted the guests of the meeting.
The Chairman of the Regional National Cultural Autonomy of Greeks of Krasnodar Territory Konstantin Kesov thanked the Russian Geographical Society for the invitation to participate in the project and the Russian House in Athens for the opportunity to host another event.
Participants of the event. Photo: Vasily Isakov
«Last year we presented the ancient heritage of Russia here, and today the topic of our meeting was the outstanding historical figures of the two countries. We need to maintain and strengthen the ties of our peoples,» Konstantin Kesov added.
In his report on prominent personalities in Russian-Greek relations, the former head of the Association of Greeks of Russia, historian Konstantin Dmitriev, spoke about Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, who contributed to the creation of the first independent state in Greece since the time of Byzantium, the only navigator recognized as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church; the heroine of the Greek liberation movement, the only female admiral of the Russian Navy Laskarina Bouboulina; admiral, statesman, and public figure, one of the founders of the Russian Geographical Society, Pyotr Ricord; and the first ruler of independent Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias.
Konstantin Dmitriev. Photo: Vasily Isakov
Sofia Khristaforova, Deputy Chairman of the National Cultural Autonomy of Greeks of Krasnodar «Romiosini», presented the book by Pavel and Ekaterina Revko-Linardato «Ivan Varvatsi: Hero of Two Countries», released by the Greek National Cultural Autonomy of Greeks of Taganrog. Lyudmila Bogila, co-organizer of the conference at the Russian House in Athens, Chairman of the society «Center for Scientific and Social Initiatives», came up with the idea of translating this book into Greek.
«Our society is trying to contribute to strengthening the cultural bridge between our countries, ” Lyudmila Bogila emphasized.
The book "Ivan Varvatsi: Hero of Two Countries" Photo: Vasily Isakov
The artist Nina Ioannidi invited the guests to an exhibition of her paintings, which were used as illustrations in a book about Ivan Varvatsi.
«This is a wonderful book for family reading. In my works, I tried to capture the most vivid moments from the life of Ivan Varvatsi, who always supported the freedom of Greece,» Nina Ioannidi said.
The participants of the exhibition. Photo: Vasily Isakov
Dimitris Metallinos, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Candidate of Sciences in Theology and German Literature, member of the Academic Council of the University of Ionia, spoke about his long-term work on the development of Russian-Greek relations, and about holding commemorative events in honor of Ioannis Kapodistrias.
«I am glad that representatives of the Russian Geographical Society are here with us today. And I suggest that the next meeting be held on the island of Corfu, where Kapodistrias was born,» said Dimitris Metallinos.
Dimitris Metallinos, Ivan Chaika, Konstantin Kesov. Photo: Vasily Isakov
Vladislav Nelavitsky, the author of an essay about Ivan Varvatsi, recalled his contribution to the development of education in Greece. Varvatsi’s funds were used to build a lyceum in Athens. This educational institution was named after him and is still, according to Vladislav Nelavitsky, considered one of the best in Greece.
«Almost all of Ivan Varvatsi’s male descendants continued his work and served in the Russian Navy,» Vladislav Nelavitsky added.
Vladislav Nelavitsky. Photo: Vasily Isakov
Another book about Varvatsi was presented to the guests of the meeting by Gravaris Panagiotis, a music teacher who participated in its publication.
«I hope that we will be able to present this publication at other events that tell about the Greeks in Russia and about Russians in Greece, ” Gravaris Panagiotis suggested.
Gravaris Panagiotis and Ivan Chaika. Photo: Vasily Isakov
At the end of the meeting, Ivan Chaika handed over to the library of the Russian House in Athens author’s book «The Crystal Compass: To Save the Future» about the international prize and its heroes. He also presented to the honored guests and speakers of the conference author’s book «The Golden Ring of the Bosporan Kingdom», which tells about the RGS project promoting the ancient heritage in the south of Russia. Konstantin Kesov and Anatoly Gurov, Chairman of the Novorossiysk Greek Society and a member of the Novorossiysk Public Chamber, handed over a set of publications of the national cultural autonomy of the Greeks to the Russian House.
The participants of the conference at the Russian House got acquainted with the exhibition of the RGS «Ancient Heritage of Russia: The Link between Times and Peoples», which was opened in Athens in December 2025.
Let us remind you that the large-scale festival of the Russian Geographical Society «Ancient Heritage of Russia: The Link between Times and Peoples» unites the cities that are the heirs of ancient civilization in Russia, Greece, and Cyprus. The festival started in the fall of 2025 in Anapa, continued in Gelendzhik and Temryuk District. In December, the events of the festival in Athens brought together representatives of different countries: scientists, cultural, and tourism figures. The exhibition «Ancient Heritage of Russia: The Link between Times and Peoples» opened at the Krasnaya Polyana Resort in February. In March, the Astoria Grande cruise ship launched its second themed cruise, and a series of cultural and educational events are taking place in a number of Greek cities. A special screening of a scientific documentary film and a book presentation about «The Golden Ring of the Bosporan Kingdom» project, as well as a creative meeting with Ivan Chaika, the general producer of the film and the author of the book, the project manager, took place at the cultural center «Korni» in Thessaloniki. The festival will continue in the south of Russia. In 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted «The Golden Ring of the Bosporan Kingdom» as one of the most important tourism projects capable of showing Russia to the world in all its diversity. The RGS project is included in the top 100 creative practices of cultural heritage revitalization.