THE UNIQUE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ANNIVERSARY EVENT WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF 63 COUNTRIES BY THE INSPIRING AND ORGANIZED ECCUMULATIVE GREEK KIRIAKO MARIDAKIS SINCE 2011
"Laying of Wreaths at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier."
Honor and Awe!
Dozens of Embassies from all over the world honored our celebration and our island this year.
This is Salamis and we are proud to live in this place!
Mayor of Salamina Georgios Panagopoulos
"Today's global anniversary of the Battle of Salamis, with the magnificent participation of dozens of ambassadors and international organizations laying a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, sends messages everywhere of Peace, Friendship, Unity, Mutual Understanding and Solidarity, believing that the time has come to create those conditions and bases, honoring every year and advocating the universal principles, values and ideals that were saved after the self-sacrifice and unparalleled spirit of our ancestors in Historic Salamis"
Kyriakos Maridakis
Inspirer of the Anniversary – Head of Embassies and Diplomatic Missions
The Municipality of Salamis and the Region of Attica, in honor of the historic anniversary of the Epic Naval Battle of Salamis, the greatest victory in world history, co-organized a unique global event, bringing together on Monday, September 15, 2025, at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, figures from the political and institutional life of our country, as well as dozens of ambassadors, military attaches, diplomats, representatives of the armed forces and security forces, the international humanitarian organization Life Line of HRH Princess Catherine, the American University Webster University, bodies and international organizations with the organizer of the diplomatic missions and the initiator of the international event since 2011, the always active and energetic factor of International Cultural Diplomacy, Mr. Kyriakos Maridakis, in charge. Diplomatic Missions, Ambassador of the Hellenic Institute of Cultural Diplomacy, Founding National President and Goodwill Ambassador of the International Ambassador Club in Greece,
With a strong sense of national pride and to the sound of the national anthem, at the largest event of International Cultural Diplomacy, the Mayor of Salamina, Mr. George Panagopoulos, gave a salute, paying tribute to the heroes who, with their self-sacrifice, defended freedom, democracy and the unity of Hellenism, laying a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, while the ceremony was followed by the remaining representatives of the security forces, agencies, the Hellenic National Defense Force, ambassadors, representatives of embassies of international organizations, Greek and foreign officials, and international organizations.
The event was broadcast live by Mr. Sevastiadis Kostas - Photojournalist, watching a unique event with a global dimension recognized by 63 countries, contributing to the global promotion of our Island of Greece, our Foreign Policy as a new "tool" of Cultural Diplomacy.
The initiator of the anniversary since 2011 and a pioneer in the internationalization of the institution in 63 countries is the Ecumenical Greek Mr. Kyriakos Maridakis, Ambassador of the Hellenic Institute of Cultural Diplomacy, having been recognized and honored for his work by the Mayor of Salamis, Georgios Th. Panagopoulos, UNESCO, Mr. Maronite, receiving international recognition, transforming the war event into a global symbol of FREEDOM, IDEALS and VALUES, honoring, as he told us, ALL the dead regardless of color, race, religion, nationality and social class, promoting PEACE, UNITY, SOLIDARITY and MUTUAL SUPPORT OF ALL PEOPLE.
This was the central idea of Mr. Kyriakos Maridakis, to the World Greek Marianna Vardinoyannis as her collaborator and member of the International Honorary Deanery of Thermopylae Salamis in 2020.
This World Pilgrimage was honored this year by the largest countries in the world: USA, China, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, India, Italy, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Cyprus and for the first time the Emirate of Qatar!! Along with dozens of other countries, always with the decisive contribution and supervision of Mr. Maridakis.
It is worth noting that “SALAMINIA” was first heard in 1977 by Mr. Christos Maridakis, founder of the Institution, who was present every year celebrating the anniversary at the Tomb of the Salamis Fighters with the participation of the Navy and schools, raising awareness among the local community and the Greek diaspora, with the aim of promoting, protecting and preserving our cultural heritage.
The event was presented by the Taxiarch, Mr. Othonas Kypriotakis, with Ms. Xenia Stathi as interpreter and translator, while the care of ambassadors and diplomatic envoys was undertaken, as he has been doing since 2011, by Mr. Kyriakos Maridakis with absolute success.
The World Anniversary was honored with their presence:
Representatives of officials from the USA, the Politician of Piraeus 2nd District of the New Democracy Mr. Spyros Hagambimana, the Director of International Relations Dr. Ioannis Nomikos with foreign students of the American University Webster University, Professor Dr. Sideris Anargyros Director at City Unity College, the politician and businessman Mr. Panagiotis Ioannou, Mr. Lambros Kotsonis special advisor to defense technology and security companies, a delegation from the Greek Women's High School, the dance group "Erevna" with performers and flag bearers from all the schools of the Historical Island, the businessman and humanitarian Mr. Dimitris Karkanorachakis, Mr. Pantelis Zervas member of the Peloponnese special forces reserves, Mr. Grigoris Tsoukalas
founder & director of the Department of Geostrategy, Strategy & History and Founder & Director of the Department of Culture at the Organization as well as the distinguished photographer Mr. Dimitris Papaioannou, known for his work at the Olympic Games in Athens, photographically covering the anniversary event at the highest level of communication and promotion.
The interviews of the Mayor of Salamina, Mr. George Panagopoulos, Mr. Kyriakos Maridakis and Mr. Christos Maridakis with Mr. Haris Ergatides.
SALAMINIA – MAYOR OF SALAMINA – MONUMENT TO THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER
