BOSTON – The recently-elected young and energetic mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis sent a warm letter to his transatlantic colleague, Mayor Marty Walsh of Boston, expressing solidarity of the people of Athens for the coronavirus crisis that Boston is going through these days.

Bakoyannis, who studied in Boston and knows the city and its people very well, wrote in his letter the following:

“Dear Mayor Walsh,   

On behalf of the City of Athens, I would like to express my sincerest sympathy and solidarity for the people of Boston who are suffering the hard consequences of the Covid-19 outbreak that is striking the Unites States.

Athens and Boston will always be bound and inspired by the unique spirit of Marathon and the resilience of their citizens. I was informed by our Consul General Mr. Efstratios Efthymiou that you had to take the difficult decision to postpone the Boston Marathon, but it was a very wise decision taken for the protection of your citizens.

Although this disease has left nobody untouched, presently, here in Athens, we remain relatively calm as all necessary restriction measures to reduce the spread of the virus have been taken in time. These measures seem to work as the number of people who have so tragically lost their lives or become infected remains relatively low, for the time being.

I am confident that Boston, the Athens of America, and the epicenter of the world's scientific and research activity for the fight against the coronavirus, will soon overcome this immense challenge and that the Boston-based researchers and scientists will lead successfully the global battle against the pandemic for the benefit of humanity.

Retaining excellent memories from my visit to Boston last February, I am looking forward to welcoming you to Athens when this storm is over in order to work together for the upgrading of our two cities' relationship dating back to 1996, in the form of an updated twinning agreement.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you personally, as well as the friendly people of Boston, good health, strength, and every success in this common fight.”