Syros Hosts Photo Exhibition on its Naval History

Syros Island Cyclades Greece / © Maria Theofanopoulou

In an effort to promote Syros’ naval history and strong connection with shipping, the Municipality of Syros-Ermoupolis is hosting a photo exhibition by George Foustanos, founder and curator of the online maritime museum GreekShippingMiracle.org.

Titled, “Greek Shipping 1945-1995”, the exhibition runs within the framework of the Municipality’s “Syros-Culture 2017” program and focuses on the vessels and routes that connected Syros to the port of Piraeus after World War II and until 1995, the time when most passenger shipping companies entered the Athens Stock Exchange.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more on the 144 vessels that carried passengers, through a collection of more than 1,000 photographs and printed material. It also provides information on the efforts of many shipowners to connect Greece’s islands with the mainland and their contribution to the country’s tourism development.

The naval history of George Foustanos’ family dates back to the start of the 20^th century, as his great-grandfathers owned steamships prior to the WWI. George Foustanos studied naval architect before working in the family shipping business. In the early 1980s he became co-owner of “Seastar Navigation” and was elected to the board of the Union of Greek Shipowners. He has written many books on the development of the Greek shipping sector.

The exhibition will run from June 1-10 at the Y. & E. Vatis Art Hall on Syros and it will then move to the Tsiropina Mansion from June 10-August 31. From October 2 and until January 30, 2018 the exhibition will be on display at Cyclades Art Gallery in Ermoupolis.