Ως Representative in Switzerland of the Center for European Studies "Ioannis Kapodistrias", I will talk to you about this important man and the key and leading role he played in history of Switzerland .
Kapodistrias' first mission to Switzerland was from September 1813 to November 1815.
Kapodistrias enters Swiss history at a critical moment while the chaos and anarchy that France has created with Napoleon prevails.
The victorious Powers, England, Russia, Prussia, and Austria as we know them, are beginning to reorganize Europe, restoring mainly the old order.
What is the location of Switzerland, which is geographically located in the center of Europe? Among the Great Powers, Russia is the one showing the greatest interest in Switzerland.
Kapodistrias receives an order from Tsar Alexander I to "save" Switzerland from French despotism and to help it "find itself again and take part ... in the great work of European reconstruction.
Kapodistrias arrives in Switzerland in November 1813 and will remain there until September 1814. He bears his title special envoy and authorized representative of Russian Tsar At that time, Switzerland was torn apart by political divisions, conflicts of influence, territorial claims. This is a very painful transitional period and the situation is so serious that the country is on the brink of a civil war.
The Corfiot who, answering the Tsar, that he knows Switzerland only from books and that he does not speak German, dives into the deep waters and develops an admirable activity.
In a short time he became acquainted with the Swiss affairs, visited all the agents, all the cantons, drafted decisions and constitutions, advised, calmed the passions, sought compromises.
At the end of this marathon, not only Switzerland, but each canton has its own Constitution. Political peace has been restored, as well as a certain balance between the canons, which have all equal rights.
Where the Napoleon failed by force , The Capodistria the succeeded with dialogue , the power of persuasion and perseverance.
This genius diplomat not only understood from a very early age the complexity of the Swiss reality in the smallest detail, but finally managed to convince his interlocutors that the solution he proposed to them was in their best interest.
In September 1814 he wrote to his father
"Switzerland's issues are over. Parliament finally ratified the federal Constitution, an extremely complex negotiation was completed, with endless difficulties and writing and trials and plans… but it does not matter, because these wonderful people filled me with affection and sincere cordiality.
"The trust they have shown me has greatly rewarded me for all my efforts. If, in the future, they want to be happy and rejoice in their independence, I appreciate that I will have lost neither my time nor my effort."
During his first mission, Kapodistrias managed to establish friendly ties with many public figures such as his friend Charles Pictet de Pochemond.
These relations will be strengthened because as we know Kapodistrias, not being able to return to the Ionian Islands, due to the English who had occupied the islands, will settle temporarily, but for several years in Switzerland and specifically in Geneva, which will become one of the centers of European Philhellenism.
In 1814 no major power has a dominant influence in Switzerland. Russia now uses its power exclusively to make Switzerland more and more independent, even more neutral. end of his mission in Switzerland.
The virtues of Kapodistrias were soon recognized in Switzerland. In 1839 the great Hellenist and philhellene from Geneva Elie – Ami Betant wrote in his biography.
"Kapodistrias's attitude in Switzerland honors him very much. Initially, the mission he undertook had caused malice on the part of the various parties, whose interests were being harmed. Gradually, however, his high virtues were appreciated more and today, the Swiss unanimously mourn his loss.
His name is heard with respect by men of all views. Kapodistrias is declared an honorary citizen Geneva in 1815 and a year later of the canton of Vaud.
Kapodistrias was the inspirer of Swiss neutrality The Swiss celebrate Kapodistrias as their national hero and they still remember him today with the "Kapodistrias Coast" on the Rhone River in the center of Geneva, with the wreaths they lay every year on their national holiday, with the plaque at their home in Geneva old town.
In September 2009, a statue of Kapodistrias was erected on the shores of Lake Leman in the small town of Ouchy, near Lausanne. Lavrov.
The Swiss friend of the ambassador to Greece Lorenzo Amrer in his speech about the hero Kapodistrias said that "the Swiss owe a great deal of gratitude to this genius personality who saved their country and with its democratic constitution led it to become what it is today.
A neutral country that respects Democracy and its citizens!
The Museum of Art and History in collaboration with the Hardt Foundation and in the context of the 200 years of the Greek revolution organized the remarkable exhibition on
"Geneva and Greece are a friendship in the service of Independence. The opening of the Exhibition was attended by Representatives of the Greek and Swiss Governments as well as many Greeks and Greeks.
The next day of the inauguration was followed by a Study Day "Journée D Études at the Museum of Art and History with notable speakers.
