The "Umbrellas" of Thessaloniki by sculptor George Zongolopoulos
at the honorary ceremony held for Albert Bourla
by the Greek-Israeli Friendship Association and the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki
The ceremony at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
"The distinction you achieve from your homeland, from your city, is incomparable, it surpasses in value the highest distinctions from the greatest organizations" sail Pfizer's President and CEO Albert Bourla in a moving atmosphere in the Ceremony Hall of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki during the event of his proclamation as the Honorary President of the Greek - Israeli Friendship Association.
The President of the Greek - Israeli Friendship Association Mrs. Gianna Panagopoulou and the President of the Central Jewish Council of Greece, the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki and the Holocaust Museum Mr. David Saltiel, referred to the importance of cooperation between the two countries in times of great political uncertainty, saying that the Greek - Israeli cooperation is in its infancy, predicting that it will expand dramatically in the future.
The "Umbrellas" as the modern landmark of Thessaloniki
Mr. Bourla was offered the artwork of George Zongolopoulos "Umbrellas" as the modern landmark of Thessaloniki, as well as a model of the Holocaust Museum.
In 2022, for the first time, the George Zongolopoulos Foundation participated in the commemorative events organized by the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki on the 79th anniversary of the departure of the first train for the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps, illuminating the sculpture "Umbrellas" in Thessaloniki’s Waterfront as a joint effort to combat racism and intolerance.
In the framework of the George Zongolopoulos Foundation's cooperation with the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki and the Greek - Israeli Friendship Association, the event was attended by the President and the General Secretary of the Foundation Mr. Nicos Theodoridis and Mrs. Yvonne Theodoridis.
Photo: Eva Apostolidou of the Art Forum Gallery, the Prof. of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Xenis Sachinis, the President of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki David Saltiel, the Gen. Secretary of the George Zongolopoulos Foundation Yvonne Theodoridis, the Founder and Art Director of the Art Thessaloniki Pantelis Tsatsis, the Consul General of the U.S.A. in Thessaloniki Mrs. Elizabeth K. Lee and the President of the George Zongolopoulos Foundation Mr. Nicos Theodoridis.
