New Year “Vasilopita” Cutting Ceremony 2017

The International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus, held its traditional annual cutting of the ‘vasilopita’ (Greek new year’s cake) at the Grande Bretagne Hotel in Athens, on Sunday, January 22, 2017.

The event was attended by over 190 distinguished guests. During the event, scholarships by the Propeller Club Piraeus were given to meritorious students and maritime academies, as well as students from universities and colleges pursuing maritime studies.

President of the Propeller Club Piraeus, Mr. George Xiradakis and the member of the Board of Governors welcomed the representative of the U.S. Embassy, Economic Officer, Mr. Brian Hoyt, as well as the Greek Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Panagiotis Kouroumplis. Other respected guests included Cpt. Stamatis Raptis, Commandant of the Hellenic Coast Guard Vice Admiral, the former Presidents of the International Propeller Club, Mr. George Besis, and former Board Club members, Mr. Savvas Kalafatides, Mr. Argyris Skondras and Mr. Markos Foros. Pateras Damaskinos, a representative from the Archbishop of Athens, also blessed the event as part of Greek Orthodox tradition.

The event was also graced by members of the shipping community, such as Cpt. Panagiotis Tsakos, Cpt. Nikolaos Soutos, members of the press, friends and members of the Club.

In his speech, the Greek Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Panagiotis Kouroumplis, stressed that he is determined to support Greek Shipping and together with the Greek government, will work closely to strengthen Greek Shipping ties. At the end of his speech, he expressed the great love he has for the Port of Piraeus and revealed that he hopes for better days to come despite the difficult financial situation of our country.

President Mr. Xiradakis called Cpt. Evangelos Kouzilos, President of the Friends of Liberty Association to the podium, to emphasize the role that the SS Hellas Liberty vessel played during WWII, and the “Floating Museum “Hellas Liberty” at Akti Vasiliadi in Piraeus. The Propeller Club Piraeus is an active member of the Friends of Liberty Association, strongly supporting the cause and having donated a replacement projector for the needs of the ship’s museum.

Mr. Xiradakis also referenced the donation made to the Hellenic Coast Guard Philharmonic Orchestra and the director Mr. Evangelos Kasfikis, by covering the costs of sound insulation instalment for noise reduction.