Niles Mayor George D. Alpogianis attended an event at the White House last month commemorating the bicentennial of Greece’s independence. President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden invited the Mayor and his wife, Sophia, to the event honoring Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of the Hellenic Republic of Greece and Mrs. Mitsotaki. The event took place on Monday, May 16, 2022 at 5:00 P.M. at The White House in Washington, D.C.
In addition to being the Mayor of Niles, Mayor Alpogianis was invited in recognition of his involvement in a number of local Greek organizations, including his church St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, which will celebrate its annual Greek food festival in July. Alpogianis helped to form the only Greek Orthodox Boy Scout troop in Illinois and was also recently honored with an award from the American Philhellenes Society.
“This invitation to The White House from President Biden is an honor for the entire Village of Niles,” said Mayor Alpogianis. “It gives Niles positive recognition at a national level.” At the event, Mayor Alpogianis had the honor of meeting with President Joe Biden, Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greek Orthodox Church Archbishop Elpidophoros, and United States Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis.
Mayor Alpogianis also took the opportunity to discuss art and cultural exchanges for Niles residents with Greece, as well as to enhance international relations. “Celebrating culture by empowering the arts in Niles is a priority I am always working towards. Art, music and culinary experiences bring people together. These elements connect us to each other, and are essential in building community,” said Mayor Alpogianis.
The event took place at the White House in Washington DC, and COVID-19 testing and protocols were enforced.
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