NEW YORK, NY –
The Eastern Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance (EMBCA) is presenting the “Journey and Reflections on Chios, and its Profound International Legacy” Webinar Panel Discussion on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 2 P.M. EST/ 9 P.M. Athens EEST.
The panel discussion will be introduced by Lou Katsos EMBCA’s President, and co-moderated with Author/Writer/Clemson University Lecturer and EMBCA Director Alexander Billinis. The distinguished panel -still in formation- will include Markos Marinakis, CEO of Marinakis Chartering & Founder of the Kardamylian Foundation; and Peter Gerazounis, P.E., Principal of MG Engineering & President of the Panchiaki “Korais” Society of New York.
The island of Chios, located in the Aegean Sea, holds a profound international legacy rooted in its cultural, historical, and economic contributions to the Mediterranean and beyond.
Chios embodies the spirit of resilience and cultural exchange. It flourished under multiple civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, which enriched its artistic and architectural heritage. However, its history is marked by tragedy, particularly the Chios Massacre of 1822 during the Greek War of Independence, which became an international symbol of the struggle for freedom.
“The island holds a distinguished place in global maritime history, boasting a shipping legacy that spans centuries. Situated along key trade routes in the Aegean Sea, Chios developed into a center of maritime expertise from ancient times. Its people became renowned for their skills in shipbuilding and navigation, establishing connections throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. This seafaring tradition evolved over the centuries into one of the most influential shipping networks in the modern world.
In the 19th century, shipping families from Chios laid the foundations for Hellas’s dominance in international shipping, shaping maritime trade on a global scale. Following the devastation of the Chios Massacre, many Chian families relocated to key trading hubs like Syros, Piraeus, and Constantinople, where they rebuilt their maritime businesses. Leveraging their expertise in ship management and navigation, they capitalized on new trade opportunities, particularly in grain, textiles, and raw materials across the Black Sea, Mediterranean, the U.S. and Europe”, notes Lou Katsos, adding that:
“In the 20th century, Chios became synonymous with some of the world’s most influential shipping families, such as the Livanos, Chandris, and Onassis families. These families not only modernized global shipping but also pioneered the transport of oil, making Hellas one of the leading maritime nations.
Chios in addition continues to foster cultural tourism and preserve its maritime tradition, serving as a bridge between East and West. Its enduring legacy lies in its contributions to trade, literature, and the ideals of freedom and cultural identity, which resonate far beyond its shores”.
