By Eleni Vasiliki Bampaliouta
The Hellenic Institute of Cultural Diplomacy is a Greek scientific non-governmental organization, which was founded in Athens on March 25, 2017 and is the first and only body for research, study and dissemination of Cultural Diplomacy in Greece. The activity of the Institute is developed in cooperation with private and public government bodies, academic institutions and scientific institutes in Greece and abroad. It has branches in different cities of Greece and abroad that develop autonomous and varied cultural activities, but guided by the general needs and directions of the Institute, as these arise from the organization’s central administration in Athens. It has branches in America, Denmark, Italy (3), Georgia, Armenia, Albania, Belgium, France, United Kingdom, Egypt, Germany.
On the occasion of the celebration of 6 years since the founding of the Hellenic Institute of Cultural Diplomacy, the Diplomatic Magazine hosted an interesting interview with the President & Founder Hellenic Institute of Cultural Diplomacy Mr. Peter Dennis Kapsaskis.
Mr Kapsaskis what is “Cultural Diplomacy” and how did you get the inspiration for it ?
Cultural Diplomacy as a rational synthesis of actions aims to promote a positive image of the country in the international arena. The timeless culture, the language that has been written and spoken for centuries, the arts that praise beauty, scientific discoveries, religious sentiment and faith, culinary creativity and in general the traditions and customs of a people, are the tools that they are used to create bonds of emotional closeness between peoples.
Cultural Diplomacy, in addition to its international and purely diplomatic aspects, is defined by the word “Culture”, i.e. the way in which human spiritually affects a society. Therefore, there is also an anthropological component through which diplomacy in question becomes a tool of attraction and seduction and not simply of influence or communication.
The object in question can also be seen as an independent part of the traditional diplomatic function, since Culture is created by peoples and not by governments and in the formation of which private actors participate, e.g. museums, universities, institutions, companies, NGOs, etc. In this sense, it differs radically from the policy of Public Diplomacy which is exercised purely by the authorities of a state, i.e. embassies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Culture.
At the expense of the Greek state, before even the establishment of the Ministries of Economy, Defense or Health, a Ministry of Cultural Diplomacy should have been established. The reason; Greek civilization itself as one of the three pillars (Christianity and Roman Civilization) on which modern Europe was built. Lack, which compels us, the younger generation, to delve deeper into this timeless offering of Hellenism and make it ours, even after 202 years.
However, this does not imply national myopia and sterile reproduction of history, but we are planning the future of the Greek identity, trying to mentally open up to the outside world. Any identity that closes in on itself produces disadvantage and historical backwardness. Our goal is the restoration of Hellenism in historical time, not in terms of reproduction or nostalgia for the “glorious ancient past”, but of creativity and self-will, with the Greek, now, the subject of History and not of fate.
Our inspiration for this work is the Generation of the ’30”, where the flower of the Greek intellectual world (Seferis, Elytis, Empirikos, Theotokas) conducted a cultural dialogue with Europe on equal terms with self-criticism and self-criticism. The bet, therefore, apart from historical, is also existential.
Tell us with three words how would you characterize your work for Greece?
This project, in addition to a contribution to diplomacy, is also an anthropological project, since at the moment it has before its eyes the human soul and not the interest. Although the do ut des (give and take) relationship is predominant in diplomatic practice, nevertheless, without a mental (cultural) firmness, any agreement between states cannot endure over time.
So, in summary, to answer your question, the project is inspired by three “s’: self-criticism, self-activity and self-management.
Do you belong to some state structure, do you accept some state financial support and, if not, how do you operate financially?
The H.I.C.D. has chosen to be financially, therefore strategically/administratively independent from party, business or other bodies. The sources of funding for the actions and the general operation of our Organization are done with our own resources.
Nevertheless, we cooperate and do not rule out any fruitful partnership with government organizations. Of course, we prefer the speed and limited bureaucracy of private initiative organizations, since decisions and results appear more quickly. In addition, the H.I.C.D. cooperates closely with academic bodies and scientific institutes for the development, research and study of Cultural Diplomacy.
In addition, we begin, always keeping in mind that Culture is always a product of peoples and therefore when or if it is ideological, it can be transformed into Propaganda. It is worth noting the fact that the H.I.C.D. is the only organization in Greece which deals purely with the promotion, study and research of the scientific subject of Cultural Diplomacy and “Soft Power”.
We know that your Organization has deployed abroad one sufficiently great network for its 6 years of operation, tell us how did it structure and where it intends for?
The H.C.D. created a decentralized management mechanism, which aims to produce faster decisions and proper distribution of initiatives to the other Branches. The Organization, so far, has 16 Branches (Europe, Asia, Africa and America) with more than 60 memorandums of cooperation signed and 360 trainees in these 6 years of existence.
After all, if Athens were to exercise strict and centralized control over the remaining annexes, then the necessity for the existence of these annexes would be weak to insignificant. Of course, the operation of autonomous administrative boards in the Abroad Branches is done in close cooperation with the founding base in Athens.
Soon you will celebrate 6 years since the establishment of the Organization. What exactly is included in this anniversary?
The fact of the anniversary of the six years since the establishment of the H.I.C.D. is for us a very important event, not only for the period of time in which the Organization is active, but above all, for the intensity and passion with which young people claim their future every day and through it the Greece they dream of. It is the more than 200 events, lectures, concerts, seminars and forums, which have been organized during this time with more than 27,000 followers on social media and an articleography that exceeds 1,000 articles in the Organization’s scientific newspaper (Cultural Diplomacy Journal) that they give meaning to existence with pride, since we are talking about a self-financing Organization and fill our soul with fullness for the work produced.
It is of great importance to recall that March 25, 2017, the date of establishment of the Organization, is highly symbolic, as it coincides with the start date of the Greek Revolution of 1821.
