Born in Corfu in 1776 into a family of the aristocracy, Jean Capistria was first a doctor before becoming governor of the Ionian islands and then a diplomat in the service of the Russian Empire. After the war of independence of Greece, he will be chosen to be the very first leader of the new independent Greek state, until his assassination in Nautle in 1831.
The journey of Jean Capistrias is strongly linked to Geneva, where he was sent by the Emperor Alexandre I in 1813, and whose interests he defended at the Vienna Congress in 1815 alongside Charles Pictet de Rochemont. He also contributed to the drafting of the Swiss Constitution and to the affirmation of the permanent neutrality of our country. Jean Capistrias lived several years in Geneva, until his accession to the head of the Greek state.
Donation of the Greek community
The bust inaugurated on March 25 is a donation from the Greek community in Geneva, accepted in 2022 by the Administrative Council. The place of his establishment, a stone’s throw from that of his friend Jean-Gabriel Eynard, also very committed to the struggle for Greek independence, marks the long-standing ties that Geneva and Greece maintain.
The city of Geneva, grateful for this gift, welcomes that, thanks to this one, tribute to a personality whose role in Swiss and Geneva political history is substantial, but unfortunately often overlooked. For the mayor of Geneva, Christina Kitsos, “this bust makes it possible to honor the memory of a man whose work transcends borders and embodies diplomatic intelligence, clairvoyance and an ability to act with courage and conviction in the face of historical challenges. Qualities that we imperatively need today. ”
Personalities present during the inauguration
- Ms. Ekaterini Simopoulou, Ambassador of Greece to Bern
- Mr. Ioannis Ghikas, permanent representative of Greece to the United Nations in Geneva
- Mr. Giorgos Samouel, assistant permanent representative of Cyprus to the United Nations in Geneva
- Mr. Pierre Maudet, State Councilor
- Ms. Christina Kitsos, mayor of the city of Geneva
- Ms. Frédérique PERLER, administrative advisor
- Mr. Michel Papadopoulos, Honorary President of the Greek community in Geneva
- Ms. Daria Koskorou, representative of the museum and the Capistrias family.
We acknowledge Source link for the information.
