17 OCTOBER | Time: 19:00
Isalos.net, in collaboration with the George & Marie Vergottis Foundation, is organising the educational event entitled “Kefalonia, a bridge of shipping: From the tradition of yesterday to the new opportunities of tomorrow“.
The event marks 50 years of the Foundation’s operation and contribution and will take place on Saturday, 17 October 2026, at 19:00, at the Vergottis Cultural Centre in Kourkoumelata, Kefalonia.
Event Programme
19:00
Welcome address by the President of the George & Marie Vergottis Foundation, Mr Gerasimos Vergottis.
19:10-20:00
Open discussion as part of the Isalos.net initiative “Blue Chairs: Shipping in dialogue with society”.
The dialogue will take place between the main speaker, the President of the Vergottis Foundation, Mr Gerasimos Vergottis, and the audience. The discussion will be moderated by Ilias G. Bissias, Assistant Professor at the Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport of the University of the Aegean and Publishing Advisor of Naftika Chronika. It will focus on the Kefalonian shipping paradigm, as well as on the many ways shipping contributes to cultural, educational and social life in Greece, with an emphasis on the role of the Kefalonian shipping community. Particular reference will be made to the community’s long-standing support for maritime education, as well as to its contribution to Kefalonia and to Greek society more broadly, through charitable initiatives, projects and benefactions.
20:00-20:45
Presentations on the following topics:
- “Maritime education in the Ionian: From the Stathatos School to the Merchant Marine Academy of the Ionian Islands – Historical course and current challenges”, by Panagiotis Korakas, Director of Isalos.net.
- “Kefalonia’s shipping business through the pages of ‘Naftika Chronika’: People, journeys and legacies”, by Thomas Mitzelos, Naftika Chronika Archive.
These presentations will highlight important aspects of maritime education in the Ionian, as well as the most important shipping houses that trace their roots to Kefalonia, linking the historical legacy with today’s reality, its challenges and the prospects for the future. The first will present how maritime education in the Ionian has developed over time, from the Stathatos School to today’s Merchant Marine Academy of the Ionian Islands, while also focusing on current challenges. The second, drawing on the archive of “Naftika Chronika”, will bring to light people, business journeys and stories that not only shaped the Kefalonian shipping tradition but are also part of today’s shipping business.
Admission to the event is free.
INFORMATION & CONTACT
Website: https://vergottisfoundation.org/
Sofia Eleni Athanasatou
Administrative Director
Telephone: 26710 42255
Email: info@vergottisfoundation.org
Important notice:
By attending the above event, you are entering an area where photography, audio recording and video recording may take place. By entering the event venues, you consent to these means of recording and to their publication, display or reproduction by the organisers.
