Δευτέρα 04.11.2024 ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ

Ionian Academy 200th Anniversary

Ionian Academy
29 Μαΐου 2024 / 11:07

CORFU. University Dean: "The Ionian University honours its historical tradition and plans its future with a commitment to excellence and being outward-looking."

The academic community of the Ionian University honoured the milestone of 200 years since the founding of the Ionian Academy yesterday evening. The Ionian Academy was the first modern Greek university and operated in Corfu for 40 years, from 1824 to 1864.

The commemorative event took place in the iconic building, which significantly contributed to preparing scientists who later became worthy members of the education system, as well as administrative and judicial services of the newly established Greek state.

The speaker at the event was Emeritus Professor of the Department of History Eleni Aggelomati-Tsougaraki, who, in her 45-minute speech, discussed the founding and operation of the Ionian Academy, which was both inspired and realised by the British philhellene Frederick North, Earl of Guilford.

In his address, Dean Andreas Floros stated that the Ionian University honours its historical tradition and plans its future with a commitment to excellence and being outward-looking.

"The founding of the Ionian Academy, the first university of free Hellenism, in 1824 by Lord Guilford marks the historical starting point of the long journey of the Ionian University," he said. "The modern Ionian University, as it has been academically and administratively shaped since 1984, is the academic successor of the Ionian Academy. This relationship is an integral part of the academic identity of the Ionian University. For this reason, we honour the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Ionian Academy – and simultaneously the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Ionian University – with a series of activities centered around the commemorative speech on May 28. This speech will take place in the ceremonial hall of the Ionian Academy, adding even greater symbolism."

The event was complemented by a musical tribute to "Bel Canto" by mezzo-soprano Rosa Poulimenou, soprano Irina Gorbatenko, and tenor Akis Kalmoukis, with Dimitra Kokkinopoulou accompanying on the piano.

Series of Events

The Ionian University has already initiated a series of events to commemorate the 200 years since the founding of the Ionian Academy. The events include exhibitions, lectures, commemorative publications, and an international conference to be held in a hybrid format this coming November.

MARIA BAZDRIYIANNI