22nd World Congress of Poets (Larissa 2011): 1st Day: 29 June 2011

Dimitris P. Kraniotis, President of 22nd WCP/UPLI

Dimitris P. Kraniotis, President of 22nd WCP/UPLI

Benjamin R. Yuzon, President of UPLI

Invitation from the President of 22nd WCP/UPLI

22nd World Congress of Poets

Larissa, Greece

June 29 - July 3, 2011

Classical Larissa Imperial Hotel *****

http://www.wcp-greece2011.org/



INVITATION

Dear poet

We invite you to the 22nd World Congress of Poets that will take place from the 29th June to the 3rd July 2011, in Larissa, Greece. President of the Congress was elected the Greek poet, Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis, internal medicine specialist physician, academician and doctor of literature.

The World Congress of Poets (WCP) which will be held for the first time in Greece is conducted since 1969 in various countries around the world and is an internationally recognized cultural event. Held every two years by the United Poets Laureate International (UPLI), one of the major international poetic organisms, brings together poets from all around the world. The aim of the institution is to promote the "World Brotherhood and Peace through Poetry" without discriminations of race, religion and nationality.

The history of the Congress delegation in Greece began in the 20th World Congress of Poets, held on 13th– 17th June 2007, in the city of Montgomery, the capital of the state of Alabama, USA. At this congress, Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis was elected President of the 22nd World Congress of Poets 2011. The election of the Greek poet as President meant also the conduct of congress in Greece.

Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis who participated at the 21st World Congress of Poets, which was held on 16th -20th July 2009 in Managua, capital of Nicaragua, in his speech he suggested Larissa as the host city of the 22nd World Congress of Poets in 2011. The Board of Directors unanimously accepted the proposal and President of UPLI Dr. Benjamin R. Yuzon, announced Larissa as the World Capital of Poetry in 2011.

Larissa is located at the heart of continental Greece, having a dynamic economy and extremely vibrant population. According to archaeological evidence, the capital of Thessaly, Larissa, has been inhabited since the tenth millennium BCE. Today, Larissa is a major commercial and industrial centre in Greece. Legend reveals that Achilles was born here and Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, died here as well. Larissa has a Municipal Art Gallery – G. I. Katsigras Museum, well-known for its selection. It is full of places for entertainment, Larissa’s Ancient Theatre, Monument of Hippocrates, Larissa’s Archaeological Museum, Saint Achillius Church, Alkazar Park, Pineios River, etc. Near Larissa, there is an interesting diversity of sceneries with the mountain of ancient Greek Gods, Olympos, the Valley of Tempi, the beaches of Larissa (Stomio, etc), the mountain Meteora (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with the old Christian monasteries, etc.

We expect you to enjoy a high-quality meeting along with our wholehearted hospitality, and we hope that you will have the opportunity to spend some fruitful time with friends in a relaxing atmosphere.

With these thoughts we look forward to seeing you all in Larissa.

Dear poet

It will be a great honor for the Organizing Committee of the 22nd World Congress of Poets 2011 to attend and participate in this important cultural event, held in the heart of Greece, from the 29th June to the 3rd July 2011, in Larissa. The congress offers to the participants a rich social and recreational program that includes "1st Mediterranean Poetry Festival", traditional Greek night, visits to interesting sights in the Periphery of Thessaly, banquets with music and dancing, etc. We have also scheduled enough space for speeches and poetry reading.

We kindly request confirmation of your participation to the congress as soon as possible. Please also notice that you make your own airplane and hotel reservations.

We look forward to meeting you at the congress.

Οn behalf of Organizing Committee of 22nd WCP/UPLI

Yours Sincerely,

Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis

President of 22nd World Congress of Poets / UPLI