The symbolic Route of Truce Pnyka–Kallimarmaro. Bridging the ancient with the modern, with the aim of Truce and Peace
The symbolic Route of Truce Pnyka–Kallimarmaro. Bridging the ancient with the modern,
with the aim of Truce and Peace
In an atmosphere of joy, optimism, and hope—and in full compliance with the approved
health protocol—the symbolic Route of Truce Pnyka–Kallimarmaro took place as part of the
Route of Olympic Truce 2020.
This symbolic route was led by the Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports
Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis, together with Olympic medalist
Spiros Gianniotis (who had been honored by the Sympoliteia of Olympia
for “Fair Play”), the holder of the Greek national marathon record and Director of ASAED,
Navy Captain Spiros Andriopoulos, the TAE KWON DO world champion
Maria Karpathaki, and Olympic medalists.
The runners started from Pnyka—the symbol of Democracy and free speech
(start at the Pnyka Fountain on Apostolou Pavlou Street)—and via Dionysiou Areopagitou,
Vasilissis Amalias, and the Zappeion, reached the Panathenaic Stadium, the symbol of the
modern Olympic Games. The route had no competitive character.
Participants included the Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports
Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis, the President of the Olympians
Ms. Evi Moraitidou, the President of the Hellenic Association of Olympic
Participants Ms. Voula Kozompoli, the Director of the International
Olympic Truce Centre Dr. Konstantinos Filis, the Deputy Director
Ms. Dora Palli, the Director of ASAED and CISM representative,
holder of the Greek national marathon record, Navy Captain
Spiros Andriopoulos, Olympic medalists
Spiros Gianniotis, Virginia Kravarioti, Dimitris Kaffatos,
Grigoris Chatzatourian, Nery Niangouara, Dimitris Miteloudis,
the President of ATHINA 9.84 and representative of the Mayor of Athens
Ms. Niki Arambatzi, TAEKWONDO world champion
Ms. Maria Karpathaki, the President of the Kung Fu Federation
Mr. Lambros Stamoulis, the President of the Sympoliteia of Olympia
Ms. Sofia Hintziou Kontogianni, former MP
Mr. Giorgos Kontogiannis, the President and Vice President of
Antapodotiki Recycling Mr. Ilias Moustairas and
Mr. Pavlos Ravanis, the President of the Ioniki Stegi Ilioupolis
Ms. Argyro Pikoula, painter Mr. Dimosthenis Davvetas,
sculptor Ms. Ioanna Paraskeva, actor
Panos Stathakopoulos, the grandson of the first Marathon runner
Mr. Charis Vasilakos, and runners who had participated in the
Route of Olympic Truce 2020 from Ancient Elis to Ancient Olympia.
Welcoming the runners and attendees, the President of the Sympoliteia of Olympia,
Ms. Sofia Hintziou Kontogianni, referred to the symbolic connection of
the Route of Truce with Pnyka and the Panathenaic Stadium, as well as to Pankratis
Herakles and the Athenian Olympic champions of antiquity, who followed their own Route
of Truce in order to participate in the Olympic Games at Ancient Olympia.
At the Panathenaic Stadium, children of the MILA Group of the
9th Primary School of Glyfada, together with Paralympic medalist
Ms. Eirini Kourouvani, presented a performance for peace, freedom,
and anti-bullying, choreographed by Ms. Nektaria Konstantinou.
Before the performance, student Alexandra P. delivered the message:
“We dance for Peace. We dance for freedom of expression and movement.
We dance for a new reality where the word ‘war’ will be unknown.
We dance so that Peace may prevail and to spread the message to our generation.
We dance and we hope. We hope that one day everything will end and change for the better…”
Subsequently, invited guests together with children and the MILA group
formed the Peace symbol in the square of the Panathenaic Stadium.
During the event, special plaques—created by sculptor
Mr. Evangelos Moustakas—were awarded by the Mayor of Elis,
the organizing city of the ancient Olympic Games, Mr. Giannis Lymperis, and
the Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis to
Alexandros Vamvakidis (Chief Warden) and
Nikolaos Karyotis (Navy Lieutenant Commander) for their participation
in the Route of Heracles (Agrapidoxori–Ancient Elis) and the Route of Olympic Truce
Ancient Elis–Ancient Olympia; to the Governor of Attica
Mr. Giorgos Patoulis for his continuous support of Olympic values and
the idea of Truce; to the President of the Hellenic Olympic Academy (ETHNOA)
Mr. Giorgos Alikakos; to the Director of #BEACTIVE
Mr. Dionysis Karakasis; to Paralympic medalist
Ms. Eirini Kourouvani, who led the MILA group; and to
Ms. Nektaria Konstantinou, who curated the children’s performance.
The event concluded with music by the Municipal Band of Athens,
performing songs for peace and for Athens. Young participants honored the runners and
attendees with a wild olive branch from Ancient Elis and Ancient Olympia,
bearing the Disc of Truce.
It should be noted that the approved health protocol, as authorized by the General
Secretariat of Sports, was strictly observed (50 runners and a limited number of
participants, physical distancing, use of antiseptics, masks, and gloves where
necessary).
All attendees received a certificate of participation, a commemorative t-shirt, and
products from the event sponsors.
The event was organized by the Sympoliteia of Olympia and co-organized with the Regions
of Attica and Western Greece, the Municipalities of Elis, Pyrgos, and Ancient Olympia,
with the International Olympic Truce Centre as the cooperating support body. It was held
under the auspices of the Ministries of National Defence, Culture & Sports, Interior,
and Tourism; the International Military Sports Council (CISM); the International Olympic
Academy (IOA); the Hellenic Olympic Committee; the Association of Greek Olympians; ETHNOA;
and the Hellenic Tourism Organisation. Institutional supporters included the
Municipalities of Sparta and Athens; technical support was provided by ASAED and the
War Museum; with the support of #BEACTIVE; communication sponsors included PSAT, ERT,
ERAsport, Proto Programma, ERT Patras, ERT Pyrgos, RunningNews.gr, ATHINA 9.84,
apopseis.gr, OVI, Greekteachers, Polismagazine, among others; and with the support of
OPAP S.A., AMKE AIGEAS, Avance Car Rental, Antapodotiki Recycling, FARGECO Hellas,
Louxs, Zagori, Papadopoulou Biscuits, D.I.K.E. Pyrgos, National Insurance, Mercouri
Estate, ILIS pasta, Kalomoiri HILVIGAL, the Agricultural Cooperative of Koryfi Ilia,
Union of Farmers of Ilia IKE, OESI, and Bioilis.
