Pyrgos: Event – presentation of Anna Karamano’s book on women’s rights (PHOTOS)
With the author herself stating at the end of the event that “the demand for women today is to share the obligations and responsibilities of the public and private spheres equally,” the presentation of Anna Karamano’s book “Europe and Women’s Rights – Europeanization in Greece and Turkey” (published by Papazisis Editions) took place on the afternoon of Saturday at the Conference Center of the Regional Unit of Ilia in Pyrgos.
The highly interesting event was organized by the Cultural Association of Bank Employees of Ilia Prefecture. and the Secretariat for Gender Equality of OTOEThe distinguished speakers of the panel – and not only them – praised the character and the struggle of Anna Karamano in the women’s movement, as well as the high scientific, research, and historical level of the book, unique in its kind. After all, whether as an activist, intellectual, and of course as a politician, Anna Karamano is a distinctive figure in contemporary Greek society. The author herself could not hide her emotion for being in the city where she was born and raised… just a few meters away – and among the audience – her mother, Eleni Karamano, also felt a similar emotion, and joy as well.
The event started in a musical way, with the Choir of the Women’s Lyceum presenting five songs (“Chroma den allazoune,” “Margarita Magiopoula,” “Menexedes,” “Zoumboulia,” and “Alexandria”), under the direction of Konstantina Sakka-Kyritsi, School Counselor of Music Educators for Central Greece.
Then, the President of the Cultural Association of Bank Employees of Ilia, Kostas Triantafyllopoulos, welcomed the audience and Mrs. Karamano with an excerpt from the book of the Pyrgos writer, Takis Sinopoulos, emphasizing that: “Anna Karamano’s book should be in every library with deep scientific knowledge. We thank you for giving us the opportunity to organize high-level events with your presence. We also thank all those who participated in the organization of the event.”
The event was moderated by the well-known journalist, blogger, and communication consultant, Irini Nikolaopoulou, who described the panel as a “female spiral”! “I say this because we come from neighboring areas. Anna Karamano is from Pyrgos, I am from Tropaia and Langadia in Arcadia, Ms. Stratigaki is from Sparta, and Ms. Kratsa is from Zakynthos and Myrtia in Ilia.” Speaking about Anna Karamano, the event moderator emphasized the role she played in the creation of the bipartisan Women’s Committee, adding that “she made me believe that I would become a better person and professional, and for that, I thank her.”
The floor was then taken by Rodi Kratsa (President of the Konstantinos Karamanlis Institute of Democracy, former Member of the European Parliament, First Vice President of the European Parliament, Sociologist, Master’s in European Integration), who described Anna Karamano as an esteemed colleague “with whom we coexisted in a significant era for the European Union,” she emphasized. “We were united by the strong belief that Europe would not achieve its goals if it did not address the gender equality deficit. We fought battles together and succeeded in having gender equality included in the Lisbon Treaty. Her book intertwines a historical approach with deep analysis, driven by Europeanization. It discusses the influences of the feminist movements in Greece and Turkey, shaped by the value hierarchies that distinguished the two countries. Today, we must fight to emphasize the power of women’s social participation,” said Ms. Kratsa, among other things.
Maria Stratigaki (Deputy Mayor of Social Solidarity, Welfare & Gender Equality of the Municipality of Athens, Professor of Sociology at Panteion University) spoke about her personal relationship with Anna Karamano, dating back to the 1980s, and when discussing the book, she emphasized that “it is the first doctoral work that placed a solid theoretical framework at its core, with a comparative analysis of gender equality. It contains valuable material for teaching while looking beyond stereotypes. I would say it is an entirely successful endeavor because Anna Karamano maintains a distance from public opinion.”
The final speaker was Anna Karamano (former Member of the European Parliament, former President of the Parliamentary Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, PhD in Political Science & Public Administration from EKPA), who, visibly moved, thanked the audience for their presence, the panel of her fellow speakers, and especially her schoolmates from the Pyrgos Girls’ High School who attended the event.
“The research and writing of the book, which is part of my doctoral thesis, was motivated by the fact that I wanted to convey the knowledge and the great experience I gained from my long participation in political and social struggles, particularly in the exciting adventure known as the fight for women’s rights and gender equality. My tenure in the European Parliament brought me into contact with women from different cultures, especially from Turkey and the Middle East. Thus, I wanted to compare and assess the development of feminist principles in Greece and Turkey, two neighboring countries with great differences but also many similarities. The most common point is the patriarchal, Mediterranean, Balkan culture shared by both countries. Another common element is the early European orientation of both countries. There are precise details, within its 700 pages, and anyone reading it will be thoroughly informed about the historical developments and all the events that laid the foundations for the women’s movement. An outstanding figure, so that women today enjoy rights, was Kallirroi Parren (founder of the Women’s Lyceum).”
Ms. Karamano concluded her speech with the quote from Kallirroi Parren, “Women should take the lead, we must succeed where men have failed,” amid prolonged applause.
Greetings were also delivered by the representative of the Women’s Lyceum of Pyrgos, Giota Bartzopoulou, the Deputy Mayor of Pyrgos and President of the Women’s Association “Pyrgiotisses,” Andriana Angelakopoulou, and the President of the Center for Solidarity and Development Cooperation “Kallirroi Parren,” Panorea Papadopoulou.
The event closed with two songs (“Me ta matia kleista” and “Tavakera”) performed by Marina Nikolaakopoulou, accompanied by piano played by Anna Karamano’s dear friend, Konstantina Sakka-Kyritsi.
Among those present at the event wereAmong those present at the event were: The Very Reverend Fr. Angelis Papangelis (representative of the Bishop of Ilia), MP K. Tzavaras, former Minister Mr. Kratsa (husband of Ms. Kratsa), Mayor of Ilida Ch. Christodoulopoulos, former MP A. Marinos, member of the PASOK Central Committee M. Katrinis, Head of the European Commission’s Representation in Greece P. Karvounis, Deputy Governor of Ilia G. Georgiopoulos, Assistant Regional Governor D. Kostariadis, Deputy Mayor of Pyrgos Andriana Angelakopoulou, Head of the Minority Group in the Pyrgos City Council G. Argyropoulos, President of the Ilia Chamber of Commerce K. Nikoloutsos, President of the Medical Association of Pyrgos-Olympia E. Papageorgiou, Head of Port Security at Katakolo A. Panagiotakopoulos, President of the Katakolo Commercial Association S. Mpouroutas, Director of Primary Education of Ilia P. Zevlas, President of the Red Cross Pyrgos Jenny Tsebenecka, President of “Colors of Ilida” P. Avgerinopoulos, President of NODA Ilia Ch. Gavras, former Deputy Regional Governor Ch. Kafyras, President of the Private Employees Union Ch. Zoupis, Representative of the 117th Air Wing Theodora Giannopoulou, Representative of SETTIL Evgenia Christopoulou, and Director of the Office of MP Giannis Koutsoukos, Giorgos Karastergios.
