TRIPOLI – The 9th World Congress of Arcadian Expats began officially on July 22 in Tripoli with the participation of the Pan Arcadian Federation of Greece, Australia, the USA, and Canada, which comprise the World Pan-Arcadian Council.

This year’s Congress, which runs until July 28, is entitled Arcadia in the World and focuses on the holistic approach to the contemporary problems and challenges of Arcadia as well as the ecumenical nature of Arcadism, of the Arcadian Hellenes Abroad in a powerful arm of international influence and diplomacy within the framework of a wider national foreign policy.

On July 21, a press conference was held which was broadcast live by Tripoli Municipal Radio (www.drt.915.gr).

The opening ceremony took place on Sunday, July 22, at Apostolopouleio Cultural Center of Tripoli.

The program for the opening day of the Congress included the 10 AM Doxology at the Prophet Elias Church of Tripoli presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexandros of Mantineia and Kynouria.

A Memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony followed at the Monument to the Priests and Notables of Tripoli. The flags of Greece, the United States, Canada, and Australia were raised and the National Anthems were played. A contingent from the Hellenic Army and the Municipality of Tripoli’s Philharmonic also participated.

The opening of the conference at the Apostolopouleio Cultural Center included the blessing by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexandros of Mantineia and Kynouria and Metropolitan Jeremiah of Gortynos and Megalopolis.

Vasilis Giannakakos, President of the World Pan-Arcadian Council – United Federations, gave the welcoming remarks. The speakers at the event included, Metropolitan Alexandros of Mantineia and Kynouria, Panos Skourletis- Minister of the Interior, Terence Quick- Deputy Minister for Greeks Abroad, Vasilis Leventis- President of the Union of Centrists, George Papailiou- MP of Arcadia as representative of the Hellenic Parliament, Petros Tatoulis- Regional Governor of the Peloponnese, Dimitris Pavlis- Mayor of Tripoli, Evangelos Giannakouras- Deputy Regional Governor of Arcadia, Kostas Vlassis- MP of Arcadia ND, Dionysios Papadopoulos- Mayor of Megalopolis, Nikos Mantas- Mayor of North Kynouria, Giannis Giannopoulos- Mayor of Gortynia, Andreas Papantoniou- President of the Pan-Arcadian Federation of America, Dimitrios Alexopoulos- President of the Pan-Arcadian Federation of Australia, and Ioannis Liabotis- former President of the Pan-Arcadian Federation of Canada.