The opening ceremony of the Year of Culture and Tourism of Greece-China in the Ancient Agora

The inauguration of the Year of Culture and Tourism of Greece-China took place with a simple event in the Ancient Agora, just before sunset.

The ceremony began with video messages from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China, Li Keqiang.

The Greek Prime Minister spoke about a creative meeting of the two peoples, adding that culture and tourism are the two peaks of Greek-Chinese relations. The Chinese Prime Minister referred to the Year of Greece - China, talking about strengthening the friendship between our peoples.

This was followed by the speeches of the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni, who characterized the meeting of the two peoples as symbolic and substantial, but also the Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias, who spoke about cooperation and strengthening relations between the two countries through Culture and Tourism.

Messages were also sent by the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, Hu Heping, as well as the Director-General of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Li Qun. This was followed by a video speech by Wu Weishan, Director of the National Art Museum of China.

The event featured an online exhibition of clay soldiers from the mausoleum of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, and unveiled the double statue of Socrates and Confucius. The ceremony ended with the concert of the vocal ensemble chórеs, from the National Opera.