#  Event in the context of the 2025 Nafplio Marathon 

 



##  About the event 

 



 Key information Short biographical note of Voula Patoulidou Short biographical note of Georgia - Nektaria Porfyri 

## Key information

### Due to extraordinary circumstances, the event was modified on short notice.

- **Topic:** Education and sports as an antidote to violence
- **Date:** Friday, March 28, 2025, 7 p.m.
- **Location:** Fougaro Art Center, Nafplio, Greece
- **Organized by:** [Municipality of Nafplio](https://nafplio.gr/en/), CHS Greece, Directorates of Primary and Secondary Education of the Argolis Prefecture, in the context of the [2025 Nafplio Marathon](https://www.nafplio-marathon.gr/)
- **Open to:** All
- **Language:** Greek
- **Speakers:** Voula Patoulidou (Olympic Champion), Georgia - Nektaria Porphyri (Assistant psychiatrist, Psychiatric Department of the General Hospital of Argos)
- **Contact person for CHS Greece:** [Evan Katsarelis](https://prod-chsgreece.drupalsites.harvard.edu/staff/evangelos-katsarelis)

### Overview

The Municipality of Nafplio, Harvard University's Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece and the Directorates of Primary and Secondary Education of the Argolis Prefecture organize an educational event to be held as part of the 2025 Nafplion Marathon on the topic: "Education and sports as an antidote to violence". The event will feature as speakers Olympic Champion Ms. Voula Patoulidou with a presentation titled "And yet violence can be tackled!" and Ms. Georgia - Nektaria Porfyri, Assistant Psychiatrist at the Psychiatric Department of the General Hospital of Argos, with a presentation titled "Sports: An ally for mental health." Following the presentations, there will be a discussion with the audience. For more information about the event, visit the [2025 Nafplio Marathon website](https://www.nafplio-marathon.gr/).

   ![Marathon 2025 event poster.](/sites/g/files/omnuum7151/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2025-04/Poster_Marathon_2025_Event.png?itok=19hlIKEo) 

 

 

 

 

## Short biographical note of Voula Patoulidou

   ![Voula Patoulidou.](/sites/g/files/omnuum7151/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-04/Patoulidou_square.jpg?itok=lYyPtANq) 

 

Paraskevi (Voula) Patoulidou was born in Florina in March 1965. She is married to Dimitris Zarzavatsidis, and they have a child named Giorgos. She holds a degree from the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and speaks English and German. She completed postgraduate studies at Neapolis University Pafos with a Master's degree in "Public Administration" and a specialization in "General Management." In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, she was crowned as the first Greek female to win a gold Olympic medal. For her contributions to Greece and sports, she has been honored by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Karamanlis, with the highest distinction of the "Gold Cross of the Order of Honour." She has received an award from UNESCO for her contributions to sports and education. Additionally, she has served as the Deputy Regional Governor of the metropolitan unit of Thessaloniki for ten years.

 

 

 

## Short biographical note of Georgia - Nektaria Porfyri

   ![Georgia-Nektaria Porfyri.](/sites/g/files/omnuum7151/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-04/Porfyri_square.jpg?itok=vA9WRVAf) 

 

Georgia-Nektaria Porfyri was born in Patras in 1991 and lived in Paris and Brussels until she became an adult, holding both Greek and Belgian citizenship. She speaks fluent French and English. She graduated from the European School of Brussels in 2009 and subsequently was admitted to the School of Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. After completing her medical studies, she pursued a specialization in Psychiatry at the "Papageorgiou" General Hospital in Thessaloniki, and she is currently working as an assistant psychiatrist at the General Hospital of Argos. She completed a two-year postgraduate program at the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, titled "Global Health - Disaster Medicine," obtaining a specialization in "Disaster Medicine." She is also a volunteer with the organization "Doctors of Cyprus." Additionally, she has an active scientific presence, participating in Greek, international, and global medical conferences and writing scientific articles published in reputable international journals.