The President of the Committee “Greece 2021”, Gianna Angelopoulou, visited on Tuesday, July 14th the Historic Cafe “Kipos” and was informed about the history of the place, as well as the initiatives of EHICA. Mrs. Angelopoulou was welcomed with a traditional cretan poem (mantinada) and an magnificent bouquet of herbs and flowers of Crete by the owner of the Cafe & President of EHICA, Vassilis Stathakis, who guided her to the Cafe explaining how this special place, “Kipos”, was the inspiration for creating the European Historic Cafes Association (EHICA).
Mr. Stathakis explained in detail the initiatives of EHICA, beginning with the hosting of the 10th International Annual Forum “Cultural Routes” of the Council of Europe that was to be held 7-9 October 2020 in Chania, Crete. However, due to the measures imposed because of the pandemic of covid-19, the forum was postponed to October 5-7, 2022.
Also Mr. Stathakis informed Mrs. Angelopoulou about the new Cultural Route by the name “Historic Cafes Route” which aims to be a “bridge” of cultural interconnection of Historic Cafes worldwide ensuring the protection & preservation of their cultural, architectural and artistic heritage. It also aims to officially place Historic Cafes among the most important places to visit in a city, in the context of alternative cultural tourism.
The Founder and President of EHICA also spoke about the proposals he made to Snežana Samardžić – Marković, Director General of the Council of Europe and to the Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on “Cultural Routes” of the Council of Europe and Director of the Institute Stefano Dominioni, about the launching of an office – branch of “Cultural Routes” in Chania, Crete, and the permanent holding of the Forum “Cultural Routes” in Chania.
Mrs. Angelopoulou had many questions about the objects and the historic photos of “Kipos” Cafe, while she also recalled childhood memories of herself visiting “Kipos” with her father! Finally, Mrs. Angelopoulou and Mr. Stathakis agreed that her visit to the Historic Cafe “Kipos” marks their future cooperation, on the occasions of “Greece 2021”, the Cultural Route “Historic Cafes Route”,and the International Forum “Cultural Routes” of the Council of Europe to be held in Chania, 2022.