INAUGURAL LECTURE
The inaugural conference of the COIMBRA GLOBAL LECTURES Programme will be delivered by Vassilis Papadopoulos, writer and diplomat.
Dr. Papadopoulos currently serves as the Greek Ambassador to Portugal and began his diplomatic career in 1985. Throughout this period, he has held significant positions in relations with the European Union and the United Nations. He has also served as Ambassador of Greece to Kyiv and Bucharest, and held positions at the Greek consulates in San Francisco and Bangkok. In 2020, he was appointed Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
Alongside his intensive diplomatic career, Vassilis Papadopoulos is also an author of fiction and essays, showcasing his role as an observant global citizen. His book, In the Far East, Impressions of a Diplomat, published in Greek in 2002 and later in English in 2020 by Dartfrog Books, delves into the mentalities and lifestyles of various Asian countries. These include Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, China, and Nepal, places where the author has either worked or travelled. The book offers insightful comparisons between these Asian cultures and life in Europe, with a particular focus on Greece.
After the publication of the novel Olya. Two Winters and a Spring by Periplus Editions, two new works were released in 2019: Language as a vehicle of culture. The impact of the Greek language (Periplus Editions) and Diplomacy and Poetry, the Case of George Seferis (Icarus Publications). The universalist perspective of our first guest for the COIMBRA GLOBAL LECTURES Programme is also further demonstrated by his proficiency in diverse languages beyond Greek, including English, French, Spanish, and Russian. Additionally, he has delivered numerous lectures at universities and in diplomatic circles on topics ranging from politics and international relations to culture and language.