NEWS FROM THE ARAB EMBASSIES
“Sustainability through Art: From waste to works of art”
On Thursday, March 16, 2023, the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Athens organized the event on: “Sustainability through art: From waste to works of art” presenting some of the works of the internationally acclaimed sculptor Mr. Nikos Floros. The event was attended by a wide number of Greek government officials, distinguished personalities in the sectors of art and culture, ambassadors, academics and many others, among whom the Deputy Minister for Health, HE Zoi Rapti, the GeneralSecretary of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Ioannis Chrysoulakis, Dr Catherine Boura f.Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to UAE, Mrs Agapi-Politi Vardinoyanni, Managing Partner at Avant Tales and others.
In his speech, H.E. Sulaiman Almazroui, Ambassador of UAE to Greece stressed UAE’s commitment to implementation of sustainability practices, conscious consumption and techniques to tackle the environmental challenges. Emphasis was also placed on UAE’s strategies regarding the preservation of the environment and the promotion of the Emirati art and culture. In this framework, the works of Abu Dhabi Art, Sharjah Foundation, Masdar City and Dubai Expo City affirm UAE’s commitment to the themes of sustainability and mobility in line with the country’s vision for COP28 to be hosted in November 2023.
H.E. Dr. Catherine Boura, introduced the works of Mr. Floros based on a special technique of transforming aluminium cans into unique pieces of art. Dr. Boura was serving as Ambassador in Abu Dhabi during Mr. Floros’s participation at the“ECOWaste 2019”, where the artist presented the portrait of the President of UAE, HH Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, made entirely of 3.000 aluminium cans of soft drinks. His portrait belongs to the permanent collection of the State.
As a token of his gratitude and appreciation of UAE’s hospitality, the sculptor Nikos Floros created the symbol of UAE, the “desert falcon” and offered it to the UAE Ambassador during the event. Nikos Floros, through his artistic work, promotes the interest of the two countries to expand their excellent bilateral cooperation in various areas and to use art as a useful tool for raising awareness and educating the public regarding the need to contribute to the protection of the environment.
Source: Esteemed Embassy of the UAE in Athens
The artist, Nikos Floros, presenting one of his works to the UAE Ambassador
H.E. Sulaiman Almazroui, Ambassador of UAE to Greece delivering his welcoming speech