Giorgos I. CHristogiannis

Born in Ioannina to parents from Epirus, he entered the Diplomatic Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1958. He served in various positions, including Vice-Consul in New York and at the Permanent Mission to the UN, First Secretary at the Greek Embassy in Cyprus (1964-1967), Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy in South Africa, Head of the American Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Counselor at the Embassies in London and Cairo, Director of Administrative and Judicial Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Head of the Directorate of Greeks Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1980-1981). He was the Ambassador of Greece to Norway (1982-1987), Bulgaria (1987-1992), and the Vatican (1992-1996). He has been honored with the Grand Cross of the Norwegian Order of King Olaf, the Grand Cross of Pope IX, the Grand Cross of the Bulgarian Order of Madarski, the Senior Commander of the Order of Merit of the Egyptian Republic, among others. As Director of Greeks Abroad, he oversaw the publication of the volume "Greek Artists Abroad" by Ekdotiki Athinon and founded the Museum of the Greek-American sculptor Polygnotos Vagis in Thasos. He teaches "cultural diplomacy" at the Diplomatic Academy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.