Greek President
visits Symi
19 June 2006
Karolos Papoulias, the President of Greece, arrived on Symi on board the Naval Ship "Ro" at 7:45pm. As the ship turned the corner and appeared in the horizon, the bells of Eyaggelistria church at Harani started to ring happily to welcome the President. A crowd of a couple of hundred locals and tourists started to gather by the Roloi.
Greek police, the army, special forces, naval officers, divers, patrol boats, etc. were busy for hours before the President's arrival checking the harbour area and controlling the traffic (cars, boats, yachts, etc.).
Karolos Papoulias's disembarkation was announced by the captain and he promptly appeared on board. He greeted the officers and stepped down onto Symi soil.
Greek police, the army, special forces, naval officers, divers, patrol boats, etc. were busy for hours before the President's arrival checking the harbour area and controlling the traffic (cars, boats, yachts, etc.).
Karolos Papoulias's disembarkation was announced by the captain and he promptly appeared on board. He greeted the officers and stepped down onto Symi soil.
As he stepped down, he walked inside a line of Greek officers as the crowd was clapping and cheering him. After a few steps he was officially welcomed by the Mayor and the Bishop.
The President is accompanied by the Minister for the Aegean and Island Policy, Aristotelis Pavlidis (on the left of the photo below). Mr Papoulias, Mr Pavlidis and Mr Papakalodoukas (the Mayor of Symi on the left), started to walk in front of the Police station, passing the Roloi and Nireus hotel towards Hotel Aliki, where the President will stay for the next two days.
Inside Hotel Aliki, the President was greeted by the staff and commented on how beautiful the restored interior of the hotel looked.
He sat down on a leather sofa in front of the fire place, surrounded by Symi antiques in the lovely hotel reception.
For the next few minutes, while all the photographers were taking photos, the President chatted with the Mayor and was offered a glass of water. They chatted about contemporary Symiots and the Mayor told the President that the Finance Minister and his wife come from Symi.
He sat down on a leather sofa in front of the fire place, surrounded by Symi antiques in the lovely hotel reception.
For the next few minutes, while all the photographers were taking photos, the President chatted with the Mayor and was offered a glass of water. They chatted about contemporary Symiots and the Mayor told the President that the Finance Minister and his wife come from Symi.
A number of people were waiting in line for the President to come closer. When he did, they shook his hand, said 'Geia sas" (Hello) and "Kalos irthate" (Welcome).
After a few minutes, we were told we had to go out and leave the President and his company alone.
Everybody went out including a number of children who were very pleased to have had the chance to see the President and be so close to him. You could literally touch him and speak to him. The security, though present, was never intrusive and everyone had the chance to go as close as they wanted to their Head of State. It was a wonderful feeling.
Outside, groups of people continued chatting, including the ERT (the Greek public broadcaster) cameramen and journalists. Roula Kambourgiani (the lady with the colourful shirt sitting down at the photo below), the top Greek journalist covering the President's visit for ERT, sat down at the waterfront by Hotel Aliki having an espresso and enjoying the view, commenting on how beautiful Symi is!
Everybody went out including a number of children who were very pleased to have had the chance to see the President and be so close to him. You could literally touch him and speak to him. The security, though present, was never intrusive and everyone had the chance to go as close as they wanted to their Head of State. It was a wonderful feeling.
Outside, groups of people continued chatting, including the ERT (the Greek public broadcaster) cameramen and journalists. Roula Kambourgiani (the lady with the colourful shirt sitting down at the photo below), the top Greek journalist covering the President's visit for ERT, sat down at the waterfront by Hotel Aliki having an espresso and enjoying the view, commenting on how beautiful Symi is!
As I walked back by Mouragio, "Ro" was watching the sun setting behind Mavrovouni, colouring the sea and hills all around.
You do feel a sense of privilege being so close to your President, a good man, a wise former foreign secretary under Andreas Papandreou's guidance, a President that every Greek is proud of.
Tomorrow, Mr Papoulias will become an honorary resident of Symi at a ceremony at Opera House at 8pm. As from tomorrow he will be privileged to call himself "Symiakos". A truly remarkable honour!
You do feel a sense of privilege being so close to your President, a good man, a wise former foreign secretary under Andreas Papandreou's guidance, a President that every Greek is proud of.
Tomorrow, Mr Papoulias will become an honorary resident of Symi at a ceremony at Opera House at 8pm. As from tomorrow he will be privileged to call himself "Symiakos". A truly remarkable honour!