HAVABABA - Cutting Vassilopitta at the Galata School

  The event of the HAVABABA group took place on Saturday, February 15, 2020 in the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomew, the consul Mr. Gaitanis, 
expatriates of Istanbul and abroad and people from Greece, Cyprus and other countries who have settled in Istanbul in recent years. 

  Ms. Anna Andreou and Maria Zaharaki, representatives of HAVABABA, who have been living here for many years in Istanbul, as well as 

Mrs. Mary Komorosano, president of the tax office of the Galata School, who collaborated with them for the realization of this event, 

as well as Mr. Lakis Vigas from the main contributors to the organization of this event, finally the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomeos took the floor, 

the President of SYRKI, Mr. Antonis Parizianos, also attended the event.

  In the speeches it was mentioned that the group was founded by Nikos Lymberopoulos, who is now in Belgium, and the members continue, that we have new dynamics and that it is time for a new present, 

that Istanbul always had new waves of people just like now.  

  Addressing his speech, His Holiness told those present that he is by their side and shares their anxieties,  

we are all proud as bearers and continuers of this great culture – which of course also creates commitments. 

He pointed out that from 1964 people also came from Imbros. How in the 20th century the orthodox brothers came from Antioch but also in the 21st century young people from Greece, 

they created businesses, families and children. And he added that everyone should contribute to the future of Istanbul and that young people should be interested in community issues.

In closing, he stated that this event was a joy for everyone and wished him a happy birthday and a happy Halloween.

  Immediately afterwards His Holiness blessed and cut the Vasilopitta.