ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
By Jim and Eleni Bousis (written by Eleni)
As a Greek American, and limited to my Greek language and history, I was drawn emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically to learn who this great warrior, Kapodistrias, was after meeting my dear friend Yiannis Smaragdis.
I listened to him carefully and cautiously with his cherished friend, Melina, at the Athens Plaza Hotel. I had heard of this great man’ work, as a producer and director with a passion for making some of the greatest movies. I was left speechless by his empathy and love for bringing to light the heroes of our country.
Mr. Smaragdis asked me if my husband, Dimitri, and I could possibly fund a portion of the movie. As a historian and someone who loves my birth country, I find it very important to preserve history for future generations.
Arriving back home in the United States, I expressed to my husband, Jimmy, the importance of us supporting this movie. Without hesitation, he briefed me on a few facts about Kapodistras. He knew of this great Governor who left his last breath at the steps of the church, since he was familiar with Greek history. He was also aware that he was assassinated in Nafplion, which is very near to his native village.
Without any hesitation, he agreed to support the project.
How can anyone not marvel and honor this great hero who impacted our country, Europe, and the world? Ioannis Kapodistrias was born into an influential and aristocratic family. He was educated as a doctor, yet his passion for public service drew him away from medicine and into politics.
He rose to become one of Europe’s most significant statesmen—serving the Tsar of Russia, helping secure Switzerland’s neutrality. His toughest decision was to leave the woman he had loved to serve our country. Ultimately, he became the first Governor of independent Greece. After the War of Independence, he dedicated himself to modernizing the new nation, building its institutions, and envisioning a strong and unified Greece.
A man of deep faith, Kapodistrias continued attending church even after receiving warnings of an assassination plot. His devotion to God, country, and family never wavered. Tragically, he was assassinated outside a church in Nafplion, the then capital of Greece, his life’s mission cut short by political rivals. He remains one of the most remarkable heroes of Greek history—a symbol of courage, leadership, moral conviction, and unwavering values.
We want to extend our deepest congratulations to our dear friend Yianni Smaragdis, who teaches us and the world through his many works, and lately, Kapodistrias, why it’s significant and profound to honor and uphold our Hellenic legacy, as he continues to shape our understanding of history, culture, and democracy. One can believe that his work is controversial; however, if you look deeply into his movies, you will see how deeply he delves into the soul and mind of Hellenic heroes.
Yianni, we are grateful to be part of your legacy and to help preserve our history. Without preservation of our history, we will never have the foundation to fight for dignity, honor, and the perseverance of Hellenism.
May God bless everyone, the performers, and the dedicated individuals who believed this was an inspirational and powerful movie🙏🏻👍
With unwavering support, love, and dedication to our mother country,
May we all have a blessed and Holy Christmas Season
Jimmy and Eleni
