Andreas Dracopoulos recognized at ELLET 50th anniversary celebration

When ELLINIKI ETAIRIA – Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage (ELLET) was created in 1972, Greece was still under dictatorship. Its founders, Costa and Lydia Carras, hoped to protect the country’s natural wealth and architectural heritage from the extensive destruction caused by the regime.

In the 50 years since, ELLET has united the support of numerous individuals and organizations, including the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), to contribute to the first-ever protections for Prespes, preservation of the landscape at Delphi, exemplary restoration of Byzantine monuments, preservation of the Athens neighborhood of Plaka, and protection of important traditional settlements, among many other projects.  

To mark its 50^th anniversary, ELLET organized an event at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens to celebrate its history and honor its supporters. The event was attended by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, as well local officials, and representatives from government, various cultural and environmental institutions, and SNF.

SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos was among the supporters who were acknowledged, and SNF Board of Directors member George Agouridis received the award on his behalf. On the occasion of ELLET’s 50^th anniversary, Andreas Dracopoulos remarked, “All of us at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) are proud and honored to have had the opportunity to contribute to ELLET’s vital mission over the past 20 years and beyond. I congratulate you for all that you have achieved in terms of preserving our environment and our cultural heritage, especially in these challenging times. Thank you, on behalf of all of us at SNF.”